i recently applied for a variance for height and size. the bylaw states outbuildings can only be 65 square meters and 5 meters tall (approx 700sf and 16' 4" tall). I proposed a building that was 1000sf and 19'7" so i could get storage above. i live on .7 acres in the city and all the surrounding houses are 2 story. So the plans went to the city for their input: the electric company, the septic department, the fire department, and the city engineers in the planning department. i got a report back stating that in their eyes, all was good and they RECOMMENDED that my variance be granted. this report was forwarded to the "committee of adjustments" and i thought it was a slam dunk. it turned out i had a neighbour show up to the meeting...one whom i had already spoken with...his concern (at the time he spoke to me) was that he might not have room to fix his fence should the need ever arise. I assured him, i could be flexible and move a bit further from the lot line. Well he went in guns ablazing about what an eyesore it would be blah blah blah.....did i mention we have 20' pine trees along the lot line...so he will never even see the building?!!! but of course the argument was given the the trees COULD die. the committee which consisted of 5 people, 2 of which are in the 80s and one 90 year old....flat out rejected my height based on my neighbour...I had hired a draftsman...and frankly the new building will look better than his house...but alas, i was denied the height and told to comply with the 16'4" height requirement.
My plan is now to sink the concrete pad about 1.5' and make a shallower roofline, which i can make work, but now i have to put a drain all along the front of the shop...not ideal.
reading this forum has almost inspired me to get my draftsman to include a breezeway, thereby making this an addition, not an outbuilding...I could then go as high as i want. the only problem would be additional taxes...
anyway, the next two mornings it snowed a coule of inches. it was a perfect time to test the snowblower out......at 5am