The Burleigh Build

[Hybrid AWD]

I recently purchased little Cape Code style home to use as a live in flip (or it'll turn in to another rental property) and unfortunately this property doesn't have a driveway or a garage.

The plan moving forward is to do a little rear shed dormer to the house, a deck, a driveway, and of course... a garage.

I'm getting a few prices from contractors to do the dormer, driveway and garage however, being one of the many who are teleworking I'm debating on building my own garage since I have the free time.

Right now I currently have two areas to work around, or possibly address. The first being the utility pole and guy wire. I have the great luck of it being 7' off of my fence line as well as another 7' from my back fence. From the stories Ive heard, its not worth the headache to try and have them relocated. So I will most likely be working around this.

The second concern is a tree at the road. Our city has a "typical" entry way of 17' necking down to the standard 9-10'. I have a feeling I will be required to remove this tree. It ***** because I really like the symmetry it gives our yard... but we dont have a cul-de-sac and we're on a dead end street so the tree might have to go.

Being that we have to work around the utility pole and guy wire I think the garage being placed closer to the back fence with a larger concrete pad out front is really the best approach. Feel free to give some input.

As far as sizing, I would love to stick to a 20x24 design but if the footprint seems overwhelming I may have to reduce down to a 20x20 or 18x20 and just accept the size.

Anyways, there will be plenty of photos to come as well as plenty of decisions to be made. If anyone has any input or insight on steps I should take, I am all ears.

Sidenote; the 8x10 "shed" in the picture is either being sold/given away or being moved to the back of our property and turned in to a playhouse.

 

[HotrodHR]

Start with a visit (via internet or phone) with you city building department or city engineer and determine your set backs, easements, height restrictions, etc. etc.

Find your survey drawing for your property make a couple of copies and sketch out where you'd like the building. Then figure out the building permit process. If you're using a GC he may the permits, but if your building it you'll have to deal with city hall.

Oh, and one more thing, build the shop as large as you can afford... good luck.

 

[HotrodHR]

BTW, the utility guys should be able to relocate the guy wire for you at no cost or reasonable cost... however it may be in the setback which is likely 10 feet.

 

[Hybrid AWD]

I sent a request for a survey of the property and was told it will be at least 14 business days before they can be on site. Unfortunately our city doesn't have those records available and advised that a private company be used to survey.

I have a feeling, like you said, the guy wire is going to be within the setback. We'll see. It would save so much headache if it was able to be moved. Just the simple fact of gaining 6-7' of additional space is huge to me.

I also think I posted this in the wrong section of the forum lol.

 

[captain14]

If you want this moved to the garage gallery. Ask in the Q and A section with a link here. One of the mods should be able to do it easily.

I’m Interested in the three projects you described. Are you going to do them as a package with a GC or one by one if you tackle them Yourself?

If you keep the shed and relocate on the property, it can handle the overflow and make the garage seem much larger.

 

[Hybrid AWD]

Well... basically 6 months later and it's been nothing but muddy water trying to get anything done. The only progress really is my deck is nearly done. Ended up going with a 12x16 which turned out being a perfect size.

As expected, still no response about the guy wire being removed and I finally just got approval from my city to remove the tree blocking construction for our driveway.

I'm really having a tough time with the garage size. I know everyone says build the biggest garage possible but I hate being so limited on access to the backyard. If money was no object Id just do a mini addition and attach the garage to the house with a passthrough garage door.

I think moving forward with this project I'm going to just go with something around a 16/18 x 20 and hope I don't regret the 20' depth. 22' might be a stretch but possibly doable.

 

[Hybrid AWD]

It was like the Dominion Engery powers that be were roaming the forums. I ended up getting a response after some deep deep dark digging around the internet.

They definitely don't make it easy to find anything related to who you need to contact for these kinds of things so here is the details for the Hampton Roads people looking for a contact.

https://www.dominionenergy.com/safety/rights-of-way-usage-and-safety

But more importantly for the Virginia folks....

https://cdn-dominionenergy-prd-001....df?la=en&rev=902c0755ab9d44d899fd841859480d66

That shows the zones and the POC for your questions.

I contacted Tim and he said that he would review with the Engineers to determine if there is a solution. I didn't mention a garage but rather if there is anything Dominion is able to do whether it costs me money or not.

For those interest in the situation... here is a picture. Fingers crossed.

 

[Hybrid AWD]

And always looking for additional input, here is my current plat and the headache I'm facing to put in a 20x24.

Best case scenario is the guy wire goes away and I can build, at minimum, a 20x24.

 

[imjustdave]

No expert but I can't see why they can't modify the pole, "bigger" and or change the guy wire. steeper angle, pole on other side pushing. It might not even the guy wire. Might be able to get them to move it entirely the other direction. I know my local energy company is fairly reasonable when they can.
You mentioned it was 7 feet in from the fence, have you looked up your easements, think you said you had a survey done. be interesting to see if it's in the easement or not.

 

[Hybrid AWD]

No expert but I can't see why they can't modify the pole, "bigger" and or change the guy wire. steeper angle, pole on other side pushing. It might not even the guy wire. Might be able to get them to move it entirely the other direction. I know my local energy company is fairly reasonable when they can.
You mentioned it was 7 feet in from the fence, have you looked up your easements, think you said you had a survey done. be interesting to see if it's in the easement or not.

Its hard to tell how willing they are in an email but I too would think something can be done. I just don't know what they are actually willing to do.

As for the survey it shows the pole and guy wire but I can't find anything regarding right of way or easement. See my attachment.

I'm already prepared to have to adjust and go with an 18x20 garage and just move it in front of the guy wire. If they move the guy wire, Ill do an 18 or 20 x 24.

 

[imjustdave]

can you label a few of those lines.
in terms of that pole are the wires going perpendicular? from that point? they also make different types of guy wires.

look at your title report that should have easement info for your property ultimately if that area is in the easement I doubt you can build there anyway unless the easement owner allows it.
too me or looks like you have an epic large easement typical in my area is 10 feet or they just randomly put in poles and wires where they pleased.





https://images.app.goo.gl/UB8e7zFVpp3pkprE6


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[imjustdave]

also you have a wire over head? you going to build under it?

wonder if that guide is even needed after seeing that.

again talk to the construction dept at the utility. im sure some options can be done.

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[Hybrid AWD]

I would be good with the alternative guy wire since that would probably net me 5-6'.

The wires overhead really aren't a concern since the garage itself isn't going to be even close to the wires. The wires on the pole are cable and power. The phone is also on that pole but I dont have phone coming to my house from the pole. The phone is actually taken down since we don't have a house phone.

To me, the guy wire is doing zero for the pole. The pole itself is leaning to the south and the guy wire is anchoring from the east.

The tree in the front yard is getting dropped tomorrow and I put the driveway guy on alert. I'll touch base with Dominion Power tomorrow or Wednesday to see if they have made any headway.