New garage going up neighbor pitching a fit

[rev177]

I am working on my new garage city approved it but the neighbor is having a fit. They have called the city 6 times. Basically the inspector came out today and did a very tough inspection of every measurement. Anyone else have to deal with this?

It is a smaller lot City allows detached structure I have a SMALL 3 car attached garage so I wanted a detached workspace behind the house.

They claim it ruins their view(don't look into my yard then) and it will ruin their homes value???

This ***** because this is what I always wanted was a detached work space for my snowmobiles and 4 wheelers.

I am atatching pictures of the lot and house. Bsicly because of watershed rules the garage starts in front of the shed and goes kinda to the deck

 

[Mickey O]

Try to be considerate of your neighbor, maybe plant a bush or something so they have a better view.

 

[rev177]

Try to be considerate of your neighbor, maybe plant a bush or something so they have a better view.

HAHA I offered to let her plant anything she wanted next to the garage worst part is she seemed happy but then complains behind my back... She is kind a busy body so I don't want her looking into my yard anyways..... I just moved in 3 months ago. This was in the plans when I bought the house. It is a newer neighborhood built in 1997 so I am the first to do this.


Although one block down is a private airfield and everyone has big pole barns. So its not likes its unheard of in the area

 

[FJ 432]

I went through this and I spent the money to have my land surveyed because of the whole property line issue.

My words of advice, buckle down and plow forward and.... this too shall pass.

I wouldn't trade my new construction for nothing!

 

[Tarheelgarage]

Simple; Tell your neighbor to mind their own bad business and to kiss your ***...

 

[woodrail]

So your within setbacks, have your permit, and everything is "in order"? In short, you win. But in the spirit of cooperation, It may be in everyones best interest to open a conversation with the neighbor. Make it clear the structure is going up, but you may be willing to change some things to make it nicer in their eyes.

Perhaps some windows and shutters? Maybe a false dormer or decrotive trim? Promise some nice landscaping?

A couple of hundred bucks spent doing this might ease thier pain and keep your relationship less stressed. If not, at least you tried.

 

[NASTYZEN]

Perhaps a little bit of creative ventilation?

 

[rev177]

So your within setbacks, have your permit, and everything is "in order"? In short, you win. But in the spirit of cooperation, It may be in everyones best interest to open a conversation with the neighbor. Make it clear the structure is going up, but you may be willing to change some things to make it nicer in their eyes.

Perhaps some windows and shutters? Maybe a false dormer or decrotive trim? Promise some nice landscaping?

A couple of hundred bucks spent doing this might ease thier pain and keep your relationship less stressed. If not, at least you tried.

Yea I offered we will see I actually was not going to put a window facing their yard so they can't peak in. I am putting siding up that matches the house. I am also putting 2x6 with thick insulation to muffle sound.


I think their cheap plastic pool in their yard is an eyesore. Its in the eye of the beholder I guess.


The real issue is she has a big mouth and is getting other neighbors involved she has lived there for 12 years I am the new guy so of course they side with here. What fun I am having

 

[65Stang]

Build it. Karma is a ... well, you know.

 

[Blk88GT]

If you aren't ******* anyone off.... try harder

 

[pipsters]

I agree with you...you have the permits etc. so you can do whatever. Although I will say it does appear very large for your lot...I'd probably be a little upset as well...but nothing you can really do about it.

 

[Old Moparz]

You have all approvals so don't worry too much. Even though the neighbor is being a pain in the neck, you should still be as "neighborly" as you can possibly be without caving in & letting them get the best of you. After all, chances are you will be living near them for a long time. It could escalate long after it's done with complaints of noise, running a business, illegal repairs, etc.

Some people seem to think they are automatically entitled to some kind of respect through seniority, but the truth is very different. Best thing to do is cover yourself & prepare for more complaints.

 

[srmofo]

Her view of what? The back of your house.... I would tell her to **** off, politely the first time, not so politely after that. Show her the permits.

Warn her if she raises any more hell with the city, you might have to show concern about the safety of the pool. In my city they have very strict codes concerning pools, and recently have started amending them to cover those cheap "temporary" inflatable and plastic pools.

If its any consolation, my neighbors raised hell too. Now they are constantly asking me to fix things.

 

[Kev442]

People always pitch a fit over change.
My neighbor lady had snide remarks over my pole building going up being too close to them (it's 25 ft off the lot line). Now that it is up and blocks my view of their trash and **** lying all over, I am a happy camper. Especially since they decided to put in a double flood light over the porch that would have shone right into my place. It still looks like downtown Chicago when it's on, but it is at least a halo around my pole building type of glow.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

So your within setbacks, have your permit, and everything is "in order"? In short, you win. But in the spirit of cooperation, It may be in everyones best interest to open a conversation with the neighbor. Make it clear the structure is going up, but you may be willing to change some things to make it nicer in their eyes.

Perhaps some windows and shutters? Maybe a false dormer or decrotive trim? Promise some nice landscaping?

A couple of hundred bucks spent doing this might ease thier pain and keep your relationship less stressed. If not, at least you tried.

Great ideas...IF They want to pay the bill for those trinkets. My Garage, My Call. OK, I'm married...lemme clarify...My Garage, Her Call
But seriously, at what point does it end. Next thing you know they're complaining because you buy a new Duramax Powered truck and it burns more fuel then their Prius...
Its not like your doing anything wrong or illegal, I'd plow ahead and forget them. Sounds like you couldnt reason with them if you had to anyways.

What goes around comes around...for example, I'm not a smoker...when the wind blows just right, the neighbors smoke comes into my yard. I suppose could complain, but I just shut up about it...when I am outside spraying PPG Single Stage Urethane by the quart etc... dont bug me it smells over there.

 

[rev177]

I agree with you...you have the permits etc. so you can do whatever. Although I will say it does appear very large for your lot...I'd probably be a little upset as well...but nothing you can really do about it.

My "lot actually goes across the pond and has 120 Feet over there. Jut realy can't ge to it due to the waterway and can't build as the watershed has an easement. Lot is .35 acers

SOme more pictures that show the other half of the yard and the "pond" I own property all the way across and on the other side. Lot is kinda bigger than pictured.

She doesn't know it but I compermissed and went to an 8 foot ceiling with 1 inch block to keep it lower overall size is 20x22. As for cars I have a shop that 7700 square fee that I own. So this is just for snowmobiles and hobby type stuff

Heck its setback 10 feet from the lot line. Had to go 25 feet from the pond.... That sucked would have been nice to tuck it back further in the corner of the lot.

 

[texasprd]

Tell her that you'll charge her with harrassment if she makes any further complaints.

AND/OR

Have a cookout and invite all the neighbors - except her.

 

[Old Moparz]

It won't ever end, so you'll have to kill 'em with kindness.

Have a grand opening party when it's done, invite the whole neighborhood, get a DJ or a band to set up in the new garage & crank the tunes. Just make sure you turn it down a minute before the noise curfew.

 

[archirelic]

You should've invited her over in the midst of pouring your slab so you could politely "explain" what it is you'll be doing with your new building. If she was still being disagreeable, push her down & pour your slab over her. No more issues...EVER.

 

[pipsters]

My "lot actually goes across the pond and has 120 Feet over there. Jut realy can't ge to it due to the waterway and can't build as the watershed has an easement. Lot is .35 acers

SOme more pictures that show the other half of the yard and the "pond" I own property all the way across and on the other side. Lot is kinda bigger than pictured.

She doesn't know it but I compermissed and went to an 8 foot ceiling with 1 inch block to keep it lower overall size is 20x22. As for cars I have a shop that 7700 square fee that I own. So this is just for snowmobiles and hobby type stuff

Heck its setback 10 feet from the lot line. Had to go 25 feet from the pond.... That sucked would have been nice to tuck it back further in the corner of the lot.

Ok those are better, that looks like it fits, maybe still a bit big for the property but nothing like I was thinking.

I hate to say it but I never compromise on something like you did. Reason being, people will ***** anyway...might as well get what you want and have them ***** than compromise and be unhappy only to hear them *****...life lesson learned the hard way....

Looks like the "view" that you are blocking is of your own property...and she is upset you are building on it...wtf...GTFO and don't let the door hit you is what I would say!!

 

[LB-1911]

Lace a into the shingles, that will give her something to look at.

 

[bczygan]

Tell her in no uncertain terms to "BACK OFF *****"!

I had a neighbor who was always bitching. I tried to kill her with kindness...didn't work. One day my wife came over during her ***** session and told her to back off. From that moment on she was nice as pie. She and I still keep in touch even though she moved.

 

[383 240z]

I am simply amazed at the amount of people who just are not happy unless they are complaining about something. Keith

 

[rev177]

Ok those are better, that looks like it fits, maybe still a bit big for the property but nothing like I was thinking.

I hate to say it but I never compromise on something like you did. Reason being, people will ***** anyway...might as well get what you want and have them ***** than compromise and be unhappy only to hear them *****...life lesson learned the hard way....

Looks like the "view" that you are blocking is of your own property...and she is upset you are building on it...wtf...GTFO and don't let the door hit you is what I would say!!

I could still change the wall height, but as I said I have a Large professorial auto shop. so no need for taller walls with sisser truces I will be 10.4 in the center. My hope is it won't be as tall as she thinks and she can see over it and this will all go away It might be slightly big for the lot but not to bad over all. Plus worst case I have 12.6 foot ceiling in my main garage so If I really want a hoist



How on earth they allow you to call a 28x20 a 3 car garage is beyond me.


Here is a shot of my "real" shop for car work this is for my snowmobiles, Woodworking and other hobbies Nice to have a place to work at home so the kids can come out and hang out with daddy

 

[FlyBy]

In my old neighborhood (where all the houses backed up to a nice golf course) a lady a couple houses down wanted to build a welding studio (she taught sculptural welding) off the back of her house, which would also keep her home closer to her husband who was in a wheelchair.

Even though everything was done correctly, and correct permits pulled and checked, another neighbor drew up a petition to try to get EVERYONE on the street on board with her. When she came to me, I said, "sorry, she's an artist and instructor for a living, exactly what I do," and I closed the door in her face.

And to this day, you barely even know that it's there, blended right into the house and you never hear a single noise due to her consideration of sound deadening in the construction. She used to let me use her space from time to time.

Moral of the story, tell her he Direct TV dish is unsightly along with the rest of her house and build on.

 

[64Trvlr]

This attractive logo is now available on coffee cups, send her a couple.

 

[rev177]

Actually lot is .41 I just looked at the plot line. Here is the lot size and where the garage will go. Slab is poured today.

The neighbor on the side with the garage is the one complaining.

.41 acers and a 20x22 is not that bad IMHO. You can see the parking pad along side the garage hope to do patio pavers as a driveway to the new garage



p.s. drawing is crude but you get the idea

 

[pattenp]

From the aerial picture I see that you will ruin her water view. That water view has to be worth $25,000. How can you sleep at nights doing such a thing?

 

[rev177]

From the aerial picture I see that you will ruined her water view. That water view has to be worth $25,000. How can you sleep at nights doing such a thing?

Oh yes of the pond scum and insect breading ground.

 

[Haywood]

Do what you like, its your property and not theirs. You can't please everyone, and if they're complaining about YOUR property chances are they're going to complain about any change they can't control. Two months after its built they'll be ******* and moaning about the other guy across the street painting his front door red and that it clashes with the rest of the house or something like that.

 

[pipsters]

Actually lot is .41 I just looked at the plot line. Here is the lot size and where the garage will go. Slab is poured today.

The neighbor on the side with the garage is the one complaining.

.41 acers and a 20x22 is not that bad IMHO. You can see the parking pad along side the garage hope to do patio pavers as a driveway to the new garage



p.s. drawing is crude but you get the idea

Regardless of how big the lot is, the issue is the cleared area. If as you said earlier you could've tucked it into the very back of the lot that wouldn't be a big deal. Your lot is really roughly just over a 1/4 acre of cleared land...(estimating 1/3 of the .41 acre lot is uncleared).

I'm not trying to take the neighbors side but I think you do need to look at it a little more objectively.

 

[welder4956]

From the aerial picture I see that you will ruin her water view. That water view has to be worth $25,000. How can you sleep at nights doing such a thing?

If she doesn't have an easement, the neighbor has actually been looking at his water free of charge.

 

[DEEDDUDE]

I had a next door neighbor like that. Always complaining about something. My wife put up a pool and the old pervert would stare at her through the chain link fence so I put up a privacy fence, he bitched because he couldn’t see her. I walked away and he still has his teeth. Later I told him to keep his dog out of my front yard because I was tired of seeing dog ****. He complained that his dog didn’t have any other place to ****. I said “your yard”. It never stopped so my wife would go out and scoop up the **** and throw it onto his house, crazy *****. He bitched about that, hell I would too. He finally got tired of **** on his house and put up his own fence. Never heard from him again and no more dog ****.

 

[rev177]

Regardless of how big the lot is, the issue is the cleared area. If as you said earlier you could've tucked it into the very back of the lot that wouldn't be a big deal. Your lot is really roughly just over a 1/4 acre of cleared land...(estimating 1/3 of the .41 acre lot is uncleared).

I'm not trying to take the neighbors side but I think you do need to look at it a little more objectively.

I agree it had a 10x12 foot shed I took down. So the "new" building is bigger but I did consider their view and built 8 foot walls and also I did agree to landscape the side in their design choice. So I do see their point and I am trying to build something that fits. My house already is twice as tall as this garage so it should blend in. I am hoping once its in they see its not as bad as they think. Also with the scummy pond the bugs are bad I hope to use it as an enclosed patio of sorts. City said I could have done 26x27 if I wanted. I feel I did a nice compromise hopefully it will blow over.


I do see their point and yours, however her main argument is it ruins her view I don't mind as I like to have some privacy and consider it a big privacy fence!!

 

[cabriolet]

You have all the correct permits, meet city requirements, build on and don't make any compromises because she is bitching.People like this will always find something to complain about. Ignore her and do what you want on your property.

 

[Old Moparz]

It never stopped so my wife would go out and scoop up the **** and throw it onto his house, crazy *****. He bitched about that, hell I would too. He finally got tired of **** on his house and put up his own fence. Never heard from him again and no more dog ****.

Man, that's funny.

 

[PECVD2]

If all your paperwork is good build on. I took the nice path and redesigned the my garage twice...they still bitched and continued with frivilous lawsuit so I made it 2.25 times the size I originally wanted. They cost me so much extra $ I should have sued them. Both are or were law professors at local college. Each redesign cost me about $2.50/sqft just for drawings and planning and zoning costs. Never again!

 

[rev177]

Paperwork is good inspector was out today. BTW here is an areil of the neighborhood. Notice the BIG pole barns. I wish I could build one!!!!!!

 

[Kevin54]

I'd build the garage to the maximum limits allowed. No compromises. Take it to the limits to piss her off. Then tell her you don't like the looks of the above ground swimming pool she has. I'd also check to see if the pool is in compliance as far as strangers not being able to access it. I'd make her life miserable until she backed the hell off.

 

[Old Moparz]

When I filed for the permit on my garage I knew I needed a height variance & had to send out letters to adjacent property owners within "x" number of feet. Of the 9 or 10 notices I sent, only one person bitched about what I was building & it had nothing to do with the height. They didn't even live nearby, they simply owned a vacant lot within that distance. They also didn't complain to me or the town, just to my next door neighbor. Probably in hopes of rallying them to their side.

My neighbor, also friends with me, explained to them what I was doing which was simply a garage. They were worried that I was going to run a business near their property & ruin the value. Understandable I suppose, but they in town, have a large, 3 car garage & also huge, 2000 sf machine shop on the corner of their property. It's zoned for it & I don't care, but you would think they'd be one of the few who would understand the situation better. Besides, if you CAN see my garage, you're trespassing.

Funny though, I had to call the town 3 freakin' times on these same vacant lot owners for dumping trash & building materials on their vacant lot near me. Glad they sold it years ago.