Fast Eddie & Kool Karen's (excellent?) Pole Barn Adventure

FastEddieB

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Lenoir City, TN/Mineral Bluff, GA
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Fast Eddie B
As a quick backstory, a couple years ago Karen and I started looking for land in the Knoxville area, to have a base of operations closer to our kids and grandkids. We were looking for something flat enough that a runway could be built on it, but were lucky enough to find land for sale in Lenoir City, adjacent to the Big T airport, 80TN. We closed on that property a year ago September.

Here's a very rough approximation of our 3+ acres:

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Since the closing, EVERYTHING has taken longer that we figured. But over the year plus since closing we've gotten electric and water run to the property, a perc test done and permit pulled for the septic system, an engineering study done, a temp pole installed and inspected, an area cleared and fenced for our travel trailer and dogs, and land cleared for a pole barn. We say pole barn since due to zoning restrictions, that's the easiest thing to get approved with the least permitting.

Here's the hillside that the pole barn is going to be backed up into:

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Our covenant stipulates no structures within 40' of the runway edge/property line - indicated by the yellow ribbon, so we're somewhat limited there. Wood structure seems to give us a lot more flexibility than metal.

Our original plan was to go BIG - 75' wide by 60' deep. Then we got an estimate of what the 17' concrete wall built into the hillside and side walls would cost. Once we got over the shock we're downsizing to just 40' deep, which should still be plenty big, and should cut way down on the height of the wall and foundation.

Here is something Karen found online and kind of fell in love with:

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For now, we're concentrating on the pole barn, but once that's complete eventually we plan on a house above it, with maybe a deck extending out over the pole barn and a small "control tower".

I was going to ask about bifold and hydraulic doors, but I will use the recent thread on that topic.

Anyway, that's where we stand. Meeting with our general contractor early next week to discuss our downsized pole barn dimensions. After that, excavation should begin pretty quickly, with concrete walls and foundation to follow.

No doubt we'll be seeking advice here on what is sure to be an extended and expensive ordeal, and appreciate all the advice so far on our electric install and slab. As an aside, Half Fast recommended "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House", which we watched. I don't think a whole lot has changed fundamentally since 1948. And there are many scenes in "The Money Pit" that parallel some of our adventures so far!

Here we go!
 
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I am jealous Eddie. You just have to put a picture of that Sky Arrow in front of the hangar.
 
Couldn't you just buy or find some large rocks to build the wall with? Behind it run some pvc pipe for drainage?

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You could build a house like Travolta's, which has a "control tower" too. :D

AD-John-Travoltas-House-Is-A-Functional-Airport-With-Runways-01.jpg
 
Just a suggestion: do not hire Mark to do the engineering for your home.

Many retaining walls are built of just large rocks, and work well. I got my rocks free as it's rocky here in the Birmingham area. I have a couple of small walls I built that do what I want them too. Backfill right behind the wall w/ smaller rocks/stone, perforated pvc below, and voila!

So there Clarky! :raspberry:
 
Many retaining walls are built of just large rocks, and work well. I got my rocks free as it's rocky here in the Birmingham area. I have a couple of small walls I built that do what I want them too. Backfill right behind the wall w/ smaller rocks/stone, perforated pvc below, and voila!

So there Clarky! :raspberry:
Try that with an 8 foot wall. Then try it with a 17 foot wall.

So there Marky!
 
I can see why Karen liked that. It looks like a neat setup. Best wishes on your project.

I have always thought it would be so neat to have a hangar home where I could jump in the airplane as easily as getting in the car. My wife has horses so we need acreage suitable for them. The only place I've seen that caters to both is Havens Landing around Clayton, Ga., but the lots there are more than I care to pay.
 
Try that with an 8 foot wall. Then try it with a 17 foot wall.

So there Marky!

What I built has worked for 13+ years Clarky, I had no need to build a 17' retaining wall. From Eddie's pics I think a 4-5' retaining wall would work, if done right. But I'm not a civil engineer, builder, or expert such as yourself.
 
What I built has worked for 13+ years Clarky, I had no need to build a 17' retaining wall. From Eddie's pics I think a 4-5' retaining wall would work, if done right. But I'm not a civil engineer, builder, or expert such as yourself.
Well Marky I have built and maintained roads in the hills around here. We tried to avoid retaining walls but can’t avoid all of them. There are many things to consider starting with the native slope material. If you want to build a structure protected by what you think might be required for a retaining wall then by all means have at it. I certainly won’t advise other folks to follow that course.
 
Wasn't advising anyone. I only asked Eddie if he could use rock. :rolleyes:
 
@mscard88 you are welcome to come to my house and build a 17' retaining wall. Mine only needs to be around 150' long. I will keep you in beer to show my appreciation!

@FastEddieB Just one consideration for one in retirement, a house built above a garage likely involves stairs which may become a burden as we age. For a pole barn in our area you might check with this guy, Douglas Baisden: http://www.buildabarnllcwv.com/
He also sells on ebay. He made custom trusses for me and custom surface mounts to fit telephone poles I used like these mounts: http://r.ebay.com/JEvTxz
 
As you seem to have already discovered, building your own home can be most rewarding, and most frustrating, all at the same time. I took a three year sabbatical, hired a helper and built most of mine on my own. It gave me a taste of what an E-AB project might turn into. :eek:

My first reaction, if this is your home for your later years...too many stairs. If you have 3 acres go out, not up.

Consider separating the house from the hangar. Pole structures are great for the hangar, but you won't want that for the home. Or the common wall if you attach them - the hybrid construction will raise the cost of your hangar structure (always by more than you think :) ). That long common wall also impacts your fenestration options on the house. Besides, if you live in the country you should be able to look at something more attractive out your window than the top of a large metal roof. ;)

Consider reducing your earthmoving and retaining wall costs by placing the house on the hill, closer to your access road, instead of into the hill. Connect the two with an elegant curved woodland trail, so there's no stairs.
 
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@mscard88 you are welcome to come to my house and build a 17' retaining wall. Mine only needs to be around 150' long. I will keep you in beer to show my appreciation!

Clark is the one who mentioned a 17' wall. I'd never undertake that. But, I will drink your beer!
 
My first reaction, if this is your home for your later years...too many stairs. If you have 3 acres go out, not up. .

I with ya! I have one flight of stairs down to the basement, and some days it kicks my ass. You oughta see me getting into a C152!
 
My first reaction, if this is your home for your later years...too many stairs. If you have 3 acres go out, not up.

As I age, although I am still young, my dream house that I retire in has changed from multi-stories to a single story house. The last heart attack made me realize that I won't stay young forever. (but the armored sniper stand on top of the house stays)
 
Looks like a pretty cool setup.

I'll never get over how much you guys have to do to put up a building in some areas. All I had to do for my pole barn was send a building permit application with a rough sketch of the location and dimensions. Permit was issued within a few days and we built. Inspector showed up almost a year after the fact, took a couple pictures of the outside and left.
 
Eddie, nice setup, thanks for sharing, looks like it will be real cool when done.
 
The hangar looks great, but don't forget the motorcycle shop. And with 3 acres, you should be able to put in a small motox course...
 
I can see why Karen liked that. It looks like a neat setup. Best wishes on your project.

I have always thought it would be so neat to have a hangar home where I could jump in the airplane as easily as getting in the car. My wife has horses so we need acreage suitable for them. The only place I've seen that caters to both is Havens Landing around Clayton, Ga., but the lots there are more than I care to pay.
I have a lot at Big South Fork Airpark (which I am looking to sell) which has an equestrian area and trails through the Airpark. In fact some of the equestrian trails come through the edge of my property.

Tim

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I have not verified, but multiple people have told me that those who live in multi story homes tend to live longer, likely do to the extra exercise.
My parents solution, build so everything can be on a single floor, but live on all three floors. When they get to the point they cannot handle the stairs, they will close off the other floors or leave them for guests.

Tim

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Around here you see very tall retaining walls built from gabions, which are big caged boxes of stone. Some of the very very tall walls are terraced. Don't know how it stacks up (heh heh) cost wise, but it's gotta be cheaper than poured concrete.

Saw a show the other day on building foundation walls with discarded tires and rammed earth. Cheap, strong and durable.
 
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I have a lot at Big South Fork Airpark (which I am looking to sell) which has an equestrian area and trails through the Airpark. In fact some of the equestrian trails come through the edge of my property.

Tim

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Lot size? Condition? Asking price?

Not that I can afford it, but my equestrian wife is considering collecting my life insurance and becoming wealthy.
 
I can see why Karen liked that. It looks like a neat setup. Best wishes on your project.

I have always thought it would be so neat to have a hangar home where I could jump in the airplane as easily as getting in the car. My wife has horses so we need acreage suitable for them. The only place I've seen that caters to both is Havens Landing around Clayton, Ga., but the lots there are more than I care to pay.

There's also Mallard's Landing outside ATL and under the edge of the Bravo. Nice, long, well majntained grass strip, taxiways all through the neighborhood, and a barn with exercise ring and riding trails.
 
I have not verified, but multiple people have told me that those who live in multi story homes tend to live longer, likely do to the extra exercise.
My parents solution, build so everything can be on a single floor, but live on all three floors. When they get to the point they cannot handle the stairs, they will close off the other floors or leave them for guests.

My last house was 2 story with first floor MBR and half bath. I went upstairs when I wanted to . . .

Two job changes later, I'm in a ranch with full, walkout basement. We live on the main floor (upstairs), have rec room, workshop and storage in the basement. If I don't want to walk the stairs, or need to get anything large or heavy upstairs or down, i can drive to the workshop door downstairs, or make a short carry down the patio to the french doors into the rec room.

Can't say I planned it this way, but aging in place was in my thoughts when I bought both homes. First floor masters are wonderful! No stairs, and I'm not bothered by the upstairs always being warmer in the summer; since each home had two heat pumps, I keep the basement now (and upstairs before) set differently to reduce utility bills.
 
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The hangar looks great, but don't forget the motorcycle shop. And with 3 acres, you should be able to put in a small motox course...

On a serious note...

...we do have about 2 wooded acres between where we cleared for the pole barn/house and the road. Some paths already in place, but this spring I wouldn’t mind some help clearing some more trails. But I’m thinking more along the lines of trials and enduro than Moto-X.

Maybe keep a dirt bike there for when you fly in!
 
There's also Mallard's Landing outside ATL and under the edge of the Bravo. Nice, long, well majntained grass strip, taxiways all through the neighborhood, and a barn with exercise ring and riding trails.

Have some airline buds that live there, and some that moved out of there for various reasons, but mainly they didn't like it. Nice place, rules (needed), right off of I-75, and close to ATL where the airline pilots that live there are based. Mallards is pretty big compared to the rest in the area.
 
On a serious note...

...we do have about 2 wooded acres between where we cleared for the pole barn/house and the road. Some paths already in place, but this spring I wouldn’t mind some help clearing some more trails. But I’m thinking more along the lines of trials and enduro than Moto-X.

Maybe keep a dirt bike there for when you fly in!


Now there's a plan!

I haven't been on a dirt bike since I was a teen, though. Probably break my neck. :) How far from your place to the nearest ER?
 
Lot size? Condition? Asking price?

Not that I can afford it, but my equestrian wife is considering collecting my life insurance and becoming wealthy.
3 acre corner lot, over looks parts of Big South Fork national park. I also have a T-hangar in the main row.
I have lot 16.
Notice my lot is larger than almost any others and also has some of the best views since it is on the crest of the hill.
Here is the URL for the Airpark.
http://www.bsfairpark.com

Give me a ring to discuss price, and other details (such as the equestrian center).
Cell: 703.855.1845

Tim

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