LuckyRugger
Well-known member
I built a 32x40x14 barn in September, and in my township I'm allowed to build up to 3% of my lot size in total accessory buildings. I think my lot is 173.25' x 261', so that puts me at 2.83% of my allowance. I knew before we built the barn we wanted a larger one, but I thought it would be easier to request the variance once the initial barn was built. So, on 12/1 I had my variance, my neighbors we're notified of my request and a couple of them talked to me about it, but didn't complain at all. At the meeting I was surprised that 6 of the 7 neighbors were there, I'm sure the other one was at work since he works nights. I was somewhat concerned that so many showed up and that I didn't actually talk too many of them beforehand.
The meeting started and I spoke saying we wanted to add on 16' to the rear of our existing accessory building. The board asked if wanted to speak against the variance and nobody said anything. Then they asked if anyone wanted to speak in favor of it, and one neighbor said he did not any problem with the barn since he would not even see the addition. Then another neighbor, county sheriff, said he felt that the addition would not impact the surrounding neighboring properties because the existing structure already exist and if the structure would negatively impact the neighborhood it already has with the structure that met existing building limitations.
I was pretty happy at this point, then the board members started to discuss, and they mentioned the felt the existing barn looked like a commercial building in a residential area and by adding onto it would make it worse. But on the other hand one member said I could build a taller barn, up to 40' tall and still be within the current guidelines.
The lady that said I could build up made a motion to deny, then it was quickly seconded, followed by a 5-0 vote to deny my request. The request cost me $300, and there is no appeals process, just another $300 request for another meeting.
I was dumbfounded that they denied me when none of my neighbors wanted to speak against the addition. I guess I'll have to either attach the barn to my house, (~40-50') breeze way or build my barn taller. If I attach it, there is no limit on the size, just offsets, and it would be nice to have a covered area to walk to my barn.
Here is my build: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=74257
The meeting started and I spoke saying we wanted to add on 16' to the rear of our existing accessory building. The board asked if wanted to speak against the variance and nobody said anything. Then they asked if anyone wanted to speak in favor of it, and one neighbor said he did not any problem with the barn since he would not even see the addition. Then another neighbor, county sheriff, said he felt that the addition would not impact the surrounding neighboring properties because the existing structure already exist and if the structure would negatively impact the neighborhood it already has with the structure that met existing building limitations.
I was pretty happy at this point, then the board members started to discuss, and they mentioned the felt the existing barn looked like a commercial building in a residential area and by adding onto it would make it worse. But on the other hand one member said I could build a taller barn, up to 40' tall and still be within the current guidelines.
The lady that said I could build up made a motion to deny, then it was quickly seconded, followed by a 5-0 vote to deny my request. The request cost me $300, and there is no appeals process, just another $300 request for another meeting.
I was dumbfounded that they denied me when none of my neighbors wanted to speak against the addition. I guess I'll have to either attach the barn to my house, (~40-50') breeze way or build my barn taller. If I attach it, there is no limit on the size, just offsets, and it would be nice to have a covered area to walk to my barn.
Here is my build: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=74257
