Maryland Variance

[gto65goat]

Hoping someone can be of help or make suggestions:
I've applied for a 33' wide x 24' deep x 17' tall Garage/Workshop.
I live in Anne Arundel County of Maryland.
I was told by one of the ladies who works in the Variance Department, that I might have a "tough time" getting this passed through the "Hearing Committee", since I've already requested and was granted a variance for a carport 8 years ago.
I asked her: "Asking for another Variance, 8 years after a previous request ...means automatic denial?" Her reply was: "well your structure is so large." The dialog went on and on, but you get my drift...its like "am I wasting my time?"
Would appreciate anyone's suggestions.
Thank you!!

 

[bmwpower]

She's probably just a secretary. Sounds like she is just speculating. What are the limits? How are they calculated? What would have been helpful for her to do was to explain why.

I would get a lawyer and find out for sure what can be done. I had to get a lawyer when I built just to add another 5 feet onto my garage. The secretary there said, "It should be okay", so I believed her...until they came out with a stop work order some time after.

 

[gto65goat]

She's probably just a secretary. Sounds like she is just speculating. What are the limits? How are they calculated? What would have been helpful for her to do was to explain why.

I would get a lawyer and find out for sure what can be done. I had to get a lawyer when I built just to add another 5 feet onto my garage. The secretary there said, "It should be okay", so I believed her...until they came out with a stop work order some time after.

She was definitely not a secretary.
I believe her title to be a Variance Coordinator.
The process here in Maryland...in about 4 to 6 weeks, I'll get a hearing with the Variance committee. What I'm trying to do is get some facts together... using the forum members knowledge, who may have gone through something similiar?

 

[OldCarGuy]

You’re fighting an uphill battle. Most community beaurocrats do not like to bend the rules for anyone. Because anytime they give an inch for you, others want to springboard off it for their requests. Hire an architect that has an abundance of experience with the local administration. Study the building restrictions and what variances have been granted in the past, along with other structures that fall outside the present guidelines.... Understand the code. Although my taut community of white picturest colonial homes with side entrance garages and black shutters wouldn’t allow me an inch of variances, my good fortune came about because of the language of the regulations was poorly written. I am now blessed with over 6500 square feet of garages. All within their guidelines and with NO variances!

 

[gto65goat]

You’re fighting an uphill battle. Most community beaurocrats do not like to bend the rules for anyone. Because anytime they give an inch for you, others want to springboard off it for their requests. Hire an architect that has an abundance of experience with the local administration. Study the building restrictions and what variances have been granted in the past, along with other structures that fall outside the present guidelines.... Understand the code. Although my taut community of white picturest colonial homes with side entrance garages and black shutters wouldn’t allow me an inch of variances, my good fortune came about because of the language of the regulations was poorly written. I am now blessed with over 6500 square feet of garages. All within their guidelines and with NO variances!

Thank you for that valuable bit of information.
Anyone else have any suggestions.
I need as much thought and help as I can get.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I had to get a variance when I built my garage (it was taller than city code allowed at the time.) When I went before the variance board, I made sure I had every bit of information I needed to prove my case - I filled out all the application forms, got signatures from the neighbors, I brought photos of the existing garage and drawings of the new one to show them how its size would fit in with the neighborhood, whatever I could think of. I showed up dressed nicely and gave them a little presentation that clearly explained the issues, and they signed off on the variance without any problems.

While I was waiting my turn to speak, other people were there trying to get variances for their projects - one guy wanted to build a tall fence, someone else wanted to add a porch on the house that was too close to the property line, etc. What I noticed is that all of them showed up unprepared...they basically had nothing more than a sketch on the back of an envelope, and couldn't give the board any compelling reason to approve their project.

So, the moral of the story is to do your homework.

 

[swgray]

Hoping someone can be of help or make suggestions:
I've applied for a 33' wide x 24' deep x 17' tall Garage/Workshop.
I live in Anne Arundel County of Maryland.
I was told by one of the ladies who works in the Variance Department, that I might have a "tough time" getting this passed through the "Hearing Committee", since I've already requested and was granted a variance for a carport 8 years ago.
I asked her: "Asking for another Variance, 8 years after a previous request ...means automatic denial?" Her reply was: "well your structure is so large." The dialog went on and on, but you get my drift...its like "am I wasting my time?"
Would appreciate anyone's suggestions.
Thank you!!

What is the real reason for needing the variance? Lot coverage, footprint of the garage more than the footprint of house, detached garage?

When I built mine I had to go 5 feet less in length (it would have been 91 sq feet bigger than the house) and take 2 feet off the height (it exceeded the avg eave height 17 feet maximum). Or I could have went the variance route, with no guarantees but an extra $250 and the more than a month wait for the hearing.

Or I could have built it just as planned as long as I also connected it to my house. Which meant I would have to re-deed the 2 properties they are on. Something I didn't want to do.

They alsohad rear and sideyard setback issues. We worked through those to both our benefits.

 

[cw_racefan]

What do you need the variance for? I'm in AA also, though no experience with variances. I can't see how one 8 yrs ago should have any bearing on getting one now, though you never can tell with our lovely permits people. Mine is 32x36 so a bigger footprint, but slightly shorter as I only have a 4:12 pitch roof. Are you building it yourself? You realize in AA you can't pull an electrical permit as a homeowner, right? AA is very annoying as far as permits go.

 

[gto65goat]

cw_racefan,
My lot is situated as follows:
70 feet of frontal footage.
52 feet of rear of lot width footage (property line tapers on the left hand side
from frontal footage).
The back of my home is 53 feet to the end of my property line.
I'm requesting a 3 foot from property lines Variance, so as to use as much of my property as I can, build the 24' deep garage/workshop, which would end up allowing me 26 feet of space between the garage and home to 'back' the vehicles out, and manuver them in a manner that I will not hit the home.
I presently have th roof designed with a 5 / 12 pitch using Engineered Trusses, for friendly storage capability.
Yes, I am building it myself, and "calling in" a few favors from friends in the business.
Yes, you are correct. I do realize from previous experience, that my Electrical Contractor must "pull" the Electrical Permit.
Thank you for your thoughts.