green project

Design & Construction

Low-Impact Design

The Flying Passage project has been designed with the sensitive island environment in mind. As a "green project" we have established the following guidelines to assure the protection of our special setting:

  1. All homes and structures must be constructed on concrete piers rather than full foundations, so they are slightly elevated above the ground and thereby disturb as little land as possible.
  2. The lots fall within the Shoreland Zone, which has stringent conditions for house and septic locations and tree cutting.
  3. No roads are to be constructed anywhere on the land, except for limited paths for the use and convenience of lot owners. Small all-terrain utility vehicles may be used to move around the subdivision and transport supplies from the dock to a home.
  4. Tree cutting should be planned carefully with the architect or site planner, and conform to town ordinances.
  5. All household trash must be transported by lot owners to the mainland trash containers at the Marine Landing. Weekly trash removal is provided. Construction debris must be removed by contractors to an appropriate municipal dump. No trash fires are permitted.
  6. The shoreline may not be disturbed by man or machine. Transportation of equipment and materials must involve the use of our special all-aluminum ramp which is 36 feet long and 8 feet wide, accommodating up to 10 tons.

Home Construction

The First House:

Flying Passage, Inc. will assist homeowners in constructing an island home. In 2006, the owners of the first lot, John Moeschler and Jan Nisbet, wished to build a beautifully-designed island cottage. They chose a company in New Hampshire called Shelter-Kit that permitted them to modify one of their home designs and also purchase a "barn kit," both in pre-cut form.

A local building, Alexander Lee, was selected to build concrete piers and erect the two structures during the summer of 2006.

Using the marine launching ramp, a local barge, and an island ramp, the contractor was easily able to transport both equipment and materials to the Moeschler's lot, and then use a gas generator to provide the needed electricity to build the home and barn.

A septic system and well were installed late in the season, and the interior work will be completed in the spring of 2007. Photographs of the first home are shown on the right.

Planning Your Home:

A lot owner can have a totally customized home built, or can utilize pre-cut "kits" from such companies as Shelter-Kit in New Hampshire or higher-end Shelter Institute in Wiscasset, Maine, only about 20 minutes from our area.

From our experience with the first home, there are not any major savings with the use of a pre-cut home, so a lot owner can design his or her own dream house with few constraints.

All homes, however, must be built on concrete piers, above the ground, for environmental reasons.

Choosing an Architect:

Lot owners may choose any architect to design a home or barn on the island. One young local architect, Tor Glendinning of 44 Degrees North, LLC, happened to work with our builder on modifications to the first house. Tor can be reached at (207)563-2557. Another architect, Anthony DiGregorio, represented the developer in the planning of the Flying Passage project, and designed several additions to the Goldenson's farm home. His number is (207)563-8595.

Your Builder or Ours:

Homeowners may use a builder of their choice or may engage the services of our builder, Alexander Lee of Steel Bolt Construction (207) 563-8054. Zander, as he prefers to be called, has his own boat and building crew, and now has experience working on an island.

Obtaining a Building Permit:

The Town of Bremen issues eight (8) building permits per year. Lot owners must first file for what is called a "Growth Permit," which is a pre-application. This places the applicant in line for the next available permit. A simple sketch or plan must be provided, along with the lot number, location, and identification of the applicant.

Normally a permit can be obtained during or at the end of the year of application. Periodically there is a slightly longer list of applicants, although some applicants drop out when their turn comes, and wait for a later date.

However, much work can be done prior to receipt of a final building permit, including design, surveying, citing of the house, site clearing, construction of a septic system and well, and landscape construction. If buyer's dock has not yet been constructed, it will be built as soon as the buyer closes on his or her lot purchase.

Alternative Energy

There is no power on Bremen Long Island. Homes can be powered easily with solar energy coupled with a back-up propane generator. Large propane cylinders can be transported to and from the island by our barge contractor, Michael Fahey.

Gas generators can be successfully used during construction.

Internet, Phones & TV

Island access to the Internet and TV must be provided by satellite communications. DirecTV is available.

Most cell phones operate on the island. Internet telephone service may be necessary for certain communication requirements.