[Just Sold]

Thanks DRH for the confidence in my expreiences.

In response to Nero Gatto's questions:
I have only heard of a neighbors view being reduced by an abutters construction of say a second floor addition. That would be addressed in a Planning or Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing or meeting. I have never heard of a dock or breakwater causing a reduced view to an abutter. It could be they are concerned with a change in water flow along the shoreline. From my limited understanding of breakwater construction the breakwater must be a specific minimum distance from shore so as to not cause the water to stop its natural flow along the shoreline. A side benifit can be a sandy bottom will appear over time as the breakwater does act a filter and causes sand to be deposited on the inside of the dock area.

What is their actual complaint in the appeal? Knowing that would help you and all of us here understand the situation better and comment more effectively. Also what part of the lake are you on that caused the previous owner to apply for a breakwater permit?

My personal experience with a breakwater is they are needed in specific locations and since you have received approval from the state for a breakwater I would install it. On an extremely rough day on the lake a breakwater can be your saving grace when docking and in the protection of your 4000LB boat. The cost may be high but the potential loss of your boat or even worse an injury or death make a breakwaters protection invaluable.

I spent a few summers at Rattlesnake on the broads side and without the breakwater we had I would not have been able to land at the dock. With the smaller boats (14' and then 17') I had many interesting docking experiences which would have been far more dangerous without the breakwater to protect us. We also had a larger heavy hull boat and it too would have been in trouble without the breakwater. The dock itself only experienced the tie post being damaged over the years. Today as I pass the property the dock and breakwater are still in good condition. I attribute that to quality workmanship so I would really check out who you hire for your work.