Two different things held up the progress with dividing the lot: my current property taxes, and putting the water system plans together.  I submitted the documents for my appeal of the assessed value of my condo, because units in my building have been selling for less than I'm being taxed for.  Worth looking into these days, with the collapse of the real estate market.

I'd been trying to put together plans for stormwater management that I could give to the surveyor to complete the lot division documents, and started to doubt I can do it myself.  After asking around a bit, I happened to meet a civil engineer who does just what I need!  They're working on a proposal for the last bit that I expect to have to pay for.  Then I'll finally be able to file, and start the clock on that wait.

This has been such a challenge to navigate that I'm going to have to celebrate when it's done.

 Wave power generation crossed my mind, and I was reminded of something I'd heard about small "damless" river power generators.  Then I realized it would be fantastic if I could get a small underwater impeller to use river current and supply a little bit of power for a floating home, 24/7.

In the back yard of the existing lot, there is an old apple tree.  I grew up with this tree, and have fond memories of climbing it and eating the apples.  It doesn't fruit generously every year like it used to.  There are some dead sections, including one that broke off dramatically about 15 years ago.  My parents have thought ever since then that the tree was unhealthy, and expected it to be removed in preparation for the new home being built.  I had to get an arborist report anyway, and they gave the tree a look.

After reading over more rules for dividing a lot, it looks like a surveyor's sign-off is mandatory.  Considering what they do, I figured now is the time to hire a surveyor.  It's more money going out, but I have to have it done and they just might get me considerably closer to filing the lot division.

I now have reports for stormwater drainage and tree health. There's a bit more research and planning to do to put together the site plan and application for lot division, but it shouldn't cost any more money. Next, I'll tackle getting utilities mapped, and designing the landscaping.

I took a number of measurements of the lot, mainly to get placement of structures and pavement that exist now.  Adding the required parking to the front looks like it should be pretty straightforward.  I'm not sure what kind of path I want to make that visually links the street to the new lot, but it would be nice if I could remove part of the existing slab in front.

The drainage testing company couldn't get their equipment past a gate in back, so I had to remove a section of fence.  Now there's a bracket sticking up out of a paved area, but hopefully they can get past that without me having to hacksaw it off.  I sent them a photo so they can decide.

I have the arborist report I need to submit for lot division.  They also require a stormwater infiltration report and stormwater management plan for both lots that will be created.  I was hoping one firm could do both, but I managed to find someone who does infiltration testing.  They're making me a proposal, and once the testing is done, they'll provide data needed for a civil engineer to work on the stormwater handling design.  Hopefully, they can help me find that person too.

It's not much, but it's progress.