Shed Variance

So, I'm looking at putting up a new shed. One would think this would be easy since the town does not require a build permit for a shed less than 200 sq/ft. The only place it makes sense to place a shed at this point, I would need a variance for because it is too close to the lot line. I need to be 20' from back lines and 15' from side lines. I pretty much want to place the shed 15' from a back line and about 5-8' from the side line.

So here is where it gets interesting. I need a lot line map of my property that shows existing buildings and proposed buildings (all to scale). I was going to do my own since I know where one pin is, when I stumbled across a complexity. The front of my property does not end where I thought it ended. I thought it ended at the drainage ditch next to the empty lot because of where the previous owner had the fence. After measuring the 165' the front of the lot extends, I found that it should go to 15' beyond the drainage ditch. The fence location still made sense because of all the water drainage - he wouldn't have wanted to put the posts in there. The back is 150' and is close to where I thought it was.

The complexity is because some developer bought the swamp next door, determined it isn't swamp (ahem), cleared the brush and brought in 20+ trucks of sand to fill in (plus who knows how many trucks of rip rap). This person did not have the land surveyed so guessed. All I'm saying is it looks as if his work came mighty close to my lot and when he sells, the people will naturally assume that they own the vegetation he left to the ditch.

So, I decided to have my lot surveyed. With all the building going on all the surveyors are very busy so I have to wait until the end of summer, early fall. As an aside, the local surveyor also would argue with that lot not being swamp - he knows of the property of which I spoke. Then I have to submit the plans to the planning board, where they will schedule a hearing. I have to appear at the hearing in person, where they may or may not approve (or may ask for more information which requires a new submital).

Once they approve, I have 180 days to make substantial progress on the build or the variance is pulled. Substantial means more than the site work. Site work in this case would just mean to have some gravel laid to even up the section, so that is no big deal. But, since I wouldn't want to order the shed until I knew I had the variance, and sheds from HD are up to a 3 month backlog, that puts me into the middle of winter.

Nothing is ever easy.

Comments

[Cop Car]

We wouldn't get our mental/psychological exercise were everything easy. Smart - having your survey done. Have fun juggling!