Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Rejected!


I received my final exterior renovation plans from The Architects and my certified plot plan so decided to go over to the Building Department and start my application process. I expected that I would have to formally make the application and wait for a review of the plans for them to see that my front porch is "nonconforming" (because it's too close to the street) as per current zoning laws.

But as I was filling out the application and told them I knew I would have to get a variance to complete the work, the head of the department looked at plot plan...




...saw that I would have 5 feet, six inches between the new porch and sidewalk, I was immediately rejected. It's not a bad thing; it's exactly what I expected only it happened much faster than I anticipated....which is good. So I got the application for a variance and I can move forward with making my case.

In a way, I've never been so happy to be rejected!

5 comments:

  1. At least it wasn't a long drawn out process! Hopefully your approval for a variance will go just as quickly. Do you have any idea what the time frame is for that process?

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  2. Well, at least it was quick! How long will this process take?

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  3. Isn't it fun working with the zoning dept? I hope they have no issue with the variance - are there any other homes that are non conforming with the setbacks? If it originally had a porch, you can justify the variance with an historically accurate renovation.?

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  4. My building department didn't turn me down they just sat on my request for 6 weeks. I was putting in a 25' x 16' glass curtain wall which occupied the entire front of the house. Local building codes did not address the issue because glass curtain walls are a commercial installation and their structural integrity rating comes from a different agency than residential construction. I went to the head of the Building Department, 48 hours later the permit was in my hand. Swear to God - bureaucrats, they will do whatever it takes to escape responsibility.

    Your place is a quiet dream come true, you are doing an exquisite job. Ann

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