Site Plan

[TX63CONV]

See proposed site plan of a property I am considering buying. The lot is in a residential district and I am limited to two (2) accessory buildings totaling no more than 625sf each. This is actually the survey of the neighboring property. The property I am considering, is next door to the North. The house is smaller and approximately in the blue hatched area. The side set back on the south side of my property is actually bigger and there is currently a side drive we would extend to the back (AC is on the north side of the house and would not interfere). Lot size is the same (230x71). Side and rear setbacks are only 3' from property lines for accessory buildings however I think I would want more (see questions below).

Proposed 20'x30'x10' or 12' metal building (a) two standard garage doors with a man door in the middle along 30' side. Building (b) would be the same but with a double garage door and a man door to the side.

Building (a) would have two 4 post lifts for storage of cars (think 1st gen mustang, not F250) and building (b) would have a 10x20 office with a 20x20 work shop.

Questions:
1-Thoughts on site layout? We actually are going to rent the house in front and plan to separate the lot in two with fencing--hence the need for a side driveway. There is a big tree I cannot cut down approximately where the 138' mark is on the survey. Other options would be to move the eastern building opposite (where the "Portion of Lot 4" language is). The benefit to this would be to shield an open garage door from the S 14th Street roadway.

2-I need the building to be as tight as possible to the lot line (there is a chain link fence surrounding the back and sides of the property) however I would assume I need space for the erection of the building and any future maintenance. Is 5' sufficient?

3-I am contemplating building (a) being 25x25. This would give me exactly 625 sf and I would think give me more room to maneuver around two 4 post lifts. Thoughts?

4-I would consider doing the same for building (b) giving me a 10x25 office and a 15x25 work area. I dont need that much office and would prefer to allocate that to workshop. Thoughts? I could leave office at 10x20 and have a 10x5 alcove for tools, storage racks etc.

I know bigger is better and there is an option in the country that I could go as big as I can afford but this is 5 minutes from my house and will generate income (not possible to build at my house). Lastly, I have seen previous pics but I welcome any images of 4 post lifts in a tight garage.

 

[jack stand]

That "postage stamp" sized lot with the building s/f restrictions....
What you propose is built/maxed out for that property and it'll never be more.
Next consider who would want this property when you've run out of space outside and inside of the 2 little garages? After all real estate is the best shot at a decent sized profit from ownership for most people and I think that you might be shorting yourself in the future for a little inconvenience (location) now.
Idk your situation and have pegged you as a young family man on his way up building something (a business) for the future and maybe no realizing the shortcomings of this particular property. If you think buying a used car is inconvenient and a lot of work.... it's 1000x more work, patience, effort and importance with real estate. This could be a thing where you park your money in for a while and maybe make it back with a little profit, or really build something of value and possibly be a homesite as well.
A major windfall for a younger family on their way up!
If you're not this guy, never mind my blabbering, you already realize the shortcomings and are good with it. 🫡

 

[TX63CONV]

I appreciate the thoughts however I am mid 50s and plan to retire in the next few years. I 100% agree with you and I would love to have a 5000 sf shop out in the country to fill to the rafters with my junk (this may still be an option). However, this is in a VERY STRONG rental area that will only get stronger. I can always go vertical--actually allowed 60% impervious surface ratio so in theory could expand. I have the market dynamics worked out after spending 25 years in commercial real estate (i understand I didn't share the area).

I would argue that the most common metal building size sold is 30x40--1200sf. This is the same/bigger but two buildings.

I have 4 classic cars and another project that I am working on--and as you know all classic cars need service, etc. I have a 1700 sf shop that I share with a buddy of mine back in TX and it is plenty of room for my needs but need to exit TX completely and ship the rest of my stuff here.

Again, I appreciate your comments, but really looking for guys who have smaller shops/garages to opine--I think I have changed my layout for the car storage building to 25x25 to give me more room to maneuver around lifts.

 

[carcruse]

Are you allowed to have a lot with garages but no house? In communities in my area, a lot split, in a residential area, resulting in a lot with accessory buildings would not be approved.

Standard 4-posts lifts are generally between 100" and 115". Two lifts in a 25' (300") outside wall dimension garage will be tight. 300"-12"-200" = 88". 88"/3 = 29.33". So, at most, 29.33" between garage wall and lifts and 29.33" between lifts to play with for a narrow. A 115" lift will only give you 24.33" in those areas. You could go with unequal distances in the three areas but you will be limited to where you can walk through or get items through. Also, don't forget the room needed if you have to open a car door on or under the lift.