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HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF WATERVIEW FARM
Waterview Farm is a unique environment comprised primarily of summer residences set within a pastoral community based initially on the “Menemsha Fishing Shack” appearance. We intend to retain and maintain that character, style and appearance. Individual dwellings are surrounded by open space “common land” woodlands, meadows and wetlands on a coastal salt pond with a swimming beach with small boat navigational access. The enhanced value of our private property development and Common Lands with the initial three-season cottages is gradually giving way to more formidable dwellings and year-round homes.
Waterview Association began with the vision of the Strock family in the mid-1960’s. Their formation of Island Properties, Inc. transformed the former Luce Farm into a cluster community of summer vacation homes nestled within generous areas of Common Land open spaces including, meadows, wetlands and coastal pond environs. From its inception circa 1967, Island Properties developed Waterview Farm as a series of cottages with a simple geometry reflecting a blend of colonial architecture with typical Island structures similar to “Menemsha” fishing shacks.
The original Waterview Farm sub-division of Island Properties involved the relocation of the present “Farm House”, now the Pincus property from its original site on Old Harbor Lane to its present location at Waterview Road. Sequentially, the sub-division took shape through 1970 representing its present configuration.
Protective provisions within the original Island Properties sub-division allowed for transition to a Community-based management and operation of the Common Lands including our private roads, open spaces and waterfront. We were very fortunate in having the expertise of Charles Harff and Robert Fullem orchestrating the legal transition from Island Properties, Inc. to Waterview Association, Inc. Through their efforts and the original Waterview Association Board of Directors led by Harold “Bert” Hassinger, the Association got off to an auspicious start.
Waterview Association, Inc., a non-profit corporation was organized on August 5, 1976. Initial corporate Bylaws were developed and special “Covenants & Restrictions” formulated for the governance, operations and maintenance of Waterview Farm... The initial Covenants & Restrictions were revised and extended in the late 1970’s and these, along with the original Bylaws were again extended in 1988. They were revised and extended in 2005. There have been nine different Presidents of the Association over the past forty three years. All individual lots are privately owned and the Association continues to manage the Corporation and its Common Lands.
Over the years it has been an arduous task maintaining the original Strock (Island Properties) vision of blending and accepting contemporary growth and development while protecting the essential visual character and appeal of Waterview Farm. Waterview Association, acting through its Architectural Review Committee (ARC) and guided by the Association’s Architectural Requirements has diligently attempted to perpetuate the character of the Island’s architecture through our process of careful review for all structures within the community.
We are presently going through a re-development phase at Waterview Farm. Vacant land and existing traditional seasonal cottages are being replaced with larger, modern and technologically advanced structures for year round occupancy. It is more important now, than ever before, to continue with careful oversight of the evolution of our treasured resources.
Since Waterview Association’s beginning in 1976, the architectural guidelines and requirements have been revised and amended four times. Initially, seasonal homes were built on a cluster principle where each dwelling consisted of separate buildings linked together by enclosed passageways. The original houses were set on a pile-supported foundation, there was no insulation and the walls and roof were solid tongue & groove timber. Hence, the siding was considered vertical and the roof had a 12 x 12 pitch with cedar shingles.
This open-space modular appearance has remained the precedent, giving Waterview Farm its character and structural harmony.
We recognize that Waterview Farm is experiencing unprecedented increase in its attraction and value. Today, construction requires a different set of building standards; houses are being built for year-round use with insulation and full foundations. Our mission continues with the desire to maintain the character of our neighborhood while accommodating today’s technology, regulations and economics.
While we have little jurisdiction over Local, State and Federal building codes and regulations, we can exercise our choices regarding style and visual appearance.
Our community continues to thrive as we welcome in new neighbors who wish to make Waterview Farm their home.
Our association’s vision and stewardship remains firmly in place and our future remains bright.
Waterview Farm is a unique environment comprised primarily of summer residences set within a pastoral community based initially on the “Menemsha Fishing Shack” appearance. We intend to retain and maintain that character, style and appearance. Individual dwellings are surrounded by open space “common land” woodlands, meadows and wetlands on a coastal salt pond with a swimming beach with small boat navigational access. The enhanced value of our private property development and Common Lands with the initial three-season cottages is gradually giving way to more formidable dwellings and year-round homes.
Waterview Association began with the vision of the Strock family in the mid-1960’s. Their formation of Island Properties, Inc. transformed the former Luce Farm into a cluster community of summer vacation homes nestled within generous areas of Common Land open spaces including, meadows, wetlands and coastal pond environs. From its inception circa 1967, Island Properties developed Waterview Farm as a series of cottages with a simple geometry reflecting a blend of colonial architecture with typical Island structures similar to “Menemsha” fishing shacks.
The original Waterview Farm sub-division of Island Properties involved the relocation of the present “Farm House”, now the Pincus property from its original site on Old Harbor Lane to its present location at Waterview Road. Sequentially, the sub-division took shape through 1970 representing its present configuration.
Protective provisions within the original Island Properties sub-division allowed for transition to a Community-based management and operation of the Common Lands including our private roads, open spaces and waterfront. We were very fortunate in having the expertise of Charles Harff and Robert Fullem orchestrating the legal transition from Island Properties, Inc. to Waterview Association, Inc. Through their efforts and the original Waterview Association Board of Directors led by Harold “Bert” Hassinger, the Association got off to an auspicious start.
Waterview Association, Inc., a non-profit corporation was organized on August 5, 1976. Initial corporate Bylaws were developed and special “Covenants & Restrictions” formulated for the governance, operations and maintenance of Waterview Farm... The initial Covenants & Restrictions were revised and extended in the late 1970’s and these, along with the original Bylaws were again extended in 1988. They were revised and extended in 2005. There have been nine different Presidents of the Association over the past forty three years. All individual lots are privately owned and the Association continues to manage the Corporation and its Common Lands.
Over the years it has been an arduous task maintaining the original Strock (Island Properties) vision of blending and accepting contemporary growth and development while protecting the essential visual character and appeal of Waterview Farm. Waterview Association, acting through its Architectural Review Committee (ARC) and guided by the Association’s Architectural Requirements has diligently attempted to perpetuate the character of the Island’s architecture through our process of careful review for all structures within the community.
We are presently going through a re-development phase at Waterview Farm. Vacant land and existing traditional seasonal cottages are being replaced with larger, modern and technologically advanced structures for year round occupancy. It is more important now, than ever before, to continue with careful oversight of the evolution of our treasured resources.
Since Waterview Association’s beginning in 1976, the architectural guidelines and requirements have been revised and amended four times. Initially, seasonal homes were built on a cluster principle where each dwelling consisted of separate buildings linked together by enclosed passageways. The original houses were set on a pile-supported foundation, there was no insulation and the walls and roof were solid tongue & groove timber. Hence, the siding was considered vertical and the roof had a 12 x 12 pitch with cedar shingles.
This open-space modular appearance has remained the precedent, giving Waterview Farm its character and structural harmony.
We recognize that Waterview Farm is experiencing unprecedented increase in its attraction and value. Today, construction requires a different set of building standards; houses are being built for year-round use with insulation and full foundations. Our mission continues with the desire to maintain the character of our neighborhood while accommodating today’s technology, regulations and economics.
While we have little jurisdiction over Local, State and Federal building codes and regulations, we can exercise our choices regarding style and visual appearance.
Our community continues to thrive as we welcome in new neighbors who wish to make Waterview Farm their home.
Our association’s vision and stewardship remains firmly in place and our future remains bright.