two story single stall design help

[troy]

Hi,

I'd like to add a shed in my backyard that complies with HOA specs, but is able to store a care or two. Here is the kicker, it can only be 175 sq. ft.

It is a newly established HOA, and no one has built an exterior shed yet. I'll be the first. I knew I was going to do this, so I conveniently got myself placed on the 3 person Architectual Committee. The President of the HOAis also a drag racer.

I know 175 sq ft is going to be tight for a single car, but I'd like to squeeze a lift in it, so I can stack two cars. I'm worried the building willl look out of proportion, very tall and narrow. I'd like to propose a complete plan, so they'll see the finished product and won't question me on the actual specs so much. I do want it look nice, it'll match the house siding/rock, etc. . Main car I want to store is a 1966 Chevy II (183" x 71"). It is purely for storage, there will be no sheetrock, insulation, etc. I have a heated garage on the main house I work out of.

Any suggestions to keep it looking somewhat normal? So far, I'm thinking:

-some type of vaulted truss to allow height for lift.
- Propose the plan with lots of landscaping in the drawing.
-Dig it into the ground a few inches, every inch helps to keep the roof lower.
- Some type of door on the side to allow opening drivers door and getting in/out once on the lift.
- Double doors that swing out, or carriage style to avoid lift/overhead door issues.


Any idea on ideal dimensions to maximize the 175 square feet? What about roof pitch? Would a flatter pitch minimize the tall and narrow dimensions? larger overhangs?

My wife says to just sell some stuff, and skip the shed!!! Any suggestion is appreciated.

Thanks,
Troy

 

[matt_i]

If you have a HOA with sense they won't allow a 2 story shed. Even if you are on it. In my opinion that would look out of place anywhere in America except the cobbledwork sometimes found on a farm. Recall their objective is to preserve property values and not cater to special interests.

I would move out of town.

 

[troy]

If you have a HOA with sense they won't allow a 2 story shed. Even if you are on it. In my opinion that would look out of place anywhere in America except the cobbledwork sometimes found on a farm. Recall their objective is to preserve property values and not cater to special interests.

I would move out of town.

I guess 2-story isn't what I meant. It't be a taller wall, maybe 10-12 ft. side wall. This would allow a lift and be able to stack two cars.

 

[KDXSR5]

10 ft wide x 17.5 ft long. Have you found any lifts that you think might work for this purpose? Although my community has no HOA, I am applying to get on to the zoning and planning committee of the town to help push my own build through, as well as ensuring that my property value doesn't plummet due to my town's senseless zoning decisions. It's all a balancing act, and your act sounds way way harder to perform than mine will be. Best of luck!

 

[Git]

...I knew I was going to do this, so I conveniently got myself placed on the 3 person Architectual Committee...

Can't help with your design help, but I am curious - I have always thought the 'right thing to do' when something comes up involving a committee member, etc is to recuse yourself (isn't there a conflict of interest?) or am I being naive?

 

[mikefromme]

Bay windows?

 

[KDXSR5]

Can't help with your design help, but I am curious - I have always thought the 'right thing to do' when something comes up involving a committee member, etc is to recuse yourself (isn't there a conflict of interest?) or am I being naive?

Just because you aren't voting doesn't mean you can't influence things, right? Haha. If nothing else, being on the board let's you know where everyone else stands and you can get a feel of how the rules are being interpreted and whether or not your proposal will be approved or not. I view it almost like doing reconnaissance.

 

[turbowoodworker]

I'm surprised your CC&Rs don't specify a max heighth, and only a max sq ft dimension. Are you certain that is the case?
Roof pitch and wall ht will be influenced by that answer. Other than than, 10x17.5 with a ten foot wall ht and scissor trusses should allow for a four post lift.

 

[bczygan]

Need a lot more info to do a good design.

All the zoning regs as well as all the HOA rules.

Layout of the lot and topography of the lot. Subsurface geology and water table info.

Photos of the existing house and lot and surrounding area, plus neighboring houses and lots.

Budget.

Bill

How about an earth bermed or earth sheltered structure? Any limits on totally underground size or height?

 

[troy]

Need a lot more info to do a good design.

All the zoning regs as well as all the HOA rules.

Layout of the lot and topography of the lot. Subsurface geology and water table info.

Photos of the existing house and lot and surrounding area, plus neighboring houses and lots.

Budget.

Bill

How about an earth bermed or earth sheltered structure? Any limits on totally underground size or height?

Woah! you're serious. It is a pretty flat lot, no water table worries. The lot is 3/4 acre, so a 10x17.5 shed isn't ridiculous.

It was brought up before, but I intend to do what is right with the neighborhood. I was on the committee that got the HOA up and running. I want to plan this correctly and submit a plan to the HOA. I would not be one of the voting members that approve my shed. The developer had some restrictions on size, but nothing on height and location is determined by city codes. I plan to be well within the city codes.

The plan is to tweak the design (roof pitch, eaves, trim, windows, etc.) to add to the value of my property. I'm not exactly sure what those design elements are yet. I feel I have a nice, place an have no intention of bringing down the property values.

 

[bczygan]

Why don't you just add on to the existing house. Then you can make it any size you need.

What are your zoning rules?

Bill

 

[troy]

Why don't you just add on to the existing house. Then you can make it any size you need.

What are your zoning rules?

Bill

I have thought about that, but I can't go out to the side and going back from the garage would mean removing a pretty large paver patio/retaining block area. We use that are quite a bit for entertaining. Could still be a possibility if the shed doesn't pan out.

 

[NUTTSGT]

If you want a lift in it, I'd suggest figuring out what lift you want first. Once you do that, build your garage around your lift. There's no reason to design a shop and it not accomodate your intent.

 

[Off-Street Parking]

If you want a lift in it, I'd suggest figuring out what lift you want first. Once you do that, build your garage around your lift. There's no reason to design a shop and it not accomodate your intent.

I'll second this.

Also, be sure to look into "parking lifts". They can stack cars a lot more closely and in shorter ceiling heights than the traditional service lifts can.

 

[ddawg16]

A supported ridge beam should give you enough room for a lift without it looking too tall.

Have a look at my 2-story garage (click on the link in my signature).

To give me a clear space on the second floor I have a ridge beam....no trusses.

You should be able to build something under 15' that will give you the space you need.

 

[bczygan]

What functions are you trying to accommodate besides a lift?

Perhaps the existing garage can be renovated for the lift function and other functions can be in the new shed.

We still need a lot more info. That's how things work here on GJ. We'll give you our best suggestions, but you have to lay out the existing conditions.

Photos, lot layout and measurements, zoning rules, HOA rules etc. Otherwise, nothing is real or usable.

Bill

 

[rsanter]

If they will not let you,build a shed or garage there, but they will allow you,do park a trailer there. You could,always buy a double stacker trailer and use that as a parking shed

Bob

 

[Voi]

I'm worried the building willl look out of proportion, very tall and narrow.

Couple down the street from me have a tall shed with a pretty small footprint. They built it so the upper part could be a playhouse for their kids but useful storage for them when their kids were older. My wife is out of town so I'm home with my kids and getting over a cold but I'll try to snap a picture when I'm walking the dog next week.

I believe the footprint is more square than what you'll need but it looks very nice and makes me think you can accomplish what you want. Just post back if I forget.

 

[sublimate]

Maybe use a lift from a stacker trailer thats built into the walls:

 

[krm2b2]

She'd Dormers in the roof could give you clearance while keeping side walls low


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[troy]

No trailers allowed, even in your driveway. I've never seen the trailer stacker, I'll have to look into that. Parking lifts are also something I hadn't thought of.

I may do dormers to help with the looks.

Thanks for all the ideas.

 

[larry4406]

Building the 4 posts of the lift into the walls and using a gambrel (barn) open roof structure may give you the volume you need to stack two cars in your 10x17.5' foot print.

 

[rburke65]

He didn't sat a trailer.....he said a lift from a trailer.