Another update about our house upgrade

Well, it's really becoming one fiasco after another.

Recently I posted that we were having issues with the architect getting back to us.

He FINALLY did and a lot of the drawing was "off" but DH said that he can probably make do with some of it for now.

Submitted to the town, and we need to get a variance for the porch we want to add. We don't anticipate having issues with any of our neighbors because they are all doing upgrades for the most part, and we are friendly with them.

We ALSO have a summons because the town is saying the shed on our property is not legal. DH uses this for most of his work stuff and is having anxiety about having to tear the thing down.

I feel like we are not destined to begin this work.

Re: Another update about our house upgrade

I'm in town of Brookhaven but I also received a summons for my old chicken coop which was too close to the property line. I was planning on building a smaller coop anyway so it was not a big deal to move it. I watch the zoning board meetings on tv for our town and people get nonconforming sheds passed all the time. It's probably a setback issue and you can put it on your variance application.
Sorry you are hitting so any roadblocks in getting started! I'm sure thins will move quickly after you get thru the paperwork.

Re: Another update about our house upgrade

Thanks!

Oh, and I also forgot to add that DH had to "fire" the general contractor we were going to use to help with most of the work.

The guy became super unreliable on one of the jobs he recently used him on so now we will need to find someone else.

Re: Another update about our house upgrade

Wow Geeze well if for any reason u need another architect bc the "off" plans do not work call my hubby!!! Craziness!!! Here is his fb page https://www.facebook.com/FioreArchitecture

Hope ur fiasco is over soon and u get ur house going!!!!! Nice with the contractor not being unreliable. Hope u get it straightened out!!!

Re: Another update about our house upgrade

Thanks! I remember you responding earlier on when I posted about our aggravation with the architect. Will keep it in mind.

I think a long time ago DH may have met with you guys to discuss a potential job.

Another update about our house upgrade

The town also told us our shed was too big and did not have the right setback. However, since it was an older shed (before the current regulations regarding size) if we moved it to a proper setback we could keep it - for a fee of, if I remember correctly, $400. I imagine it will be the same with yours.

Re: Another update about our house upgrade

Re: Another update about our house upgrade

Re: Another update about our house upgrade

It never ends with the Town of Babylon.

DH went to speak with them yesterday and now they want a permit for our new boiler we installed because of Sandy.

I told him maybe we should not invest money in this house right now. His parents want to sell their house in a couple of years which is in an area we would ultimately like to be in, and has all we need. They've already offered first dibs to any of their kids.

We could always just rent this place out.

I know I'm being emotional but sometimes I take things as signs.

Re: Another update about our house upgrade

Posted by MorningCuppaCoffee



It never ends with the Town of Babylon.

DH went to speak with them yesterday and now they want a permit for our new boiler we installed because of Sandy.

I told him maybe we should not invest money in this house right now. His parents want to sell their house in a couple of years which is in an area we would ultimately like to be in, and has all we need. They've already offered first dibs to any of their kids.

We could always just rent this place out.

I know I'm being emotional but sometimes I take things as signs.

Message edited 11/1/2013 8:27:48 AM.

Re: Another update about our house upgrade

ha...im town of babylon too.


had to do the variance to build the exact same size house. that entire process..ugh

my shed was illegal because of the size,it needed a permit. it was older. so we bought a smaller one that didnt need a permit.

I felt like i kept hitting a wall too. But i will say everyone in that building dept is really nice & so helpful. If you go down in person, they can help talk you off the ledge with some of the stuff.

For a while, i was down there all the time. Because i didnt understand half the paperwork crap.

we needed our architect alot though, so if you arent happy with him. You might want to find someone else.

Re: Another update about our house upgrade

Thanks for your feedback ladies!

Re: Another update about our house upgrade

If you need a variance for your porch, just add the shed to that application. The Zoning Board fee will increase from $150 to $300 since its now a maintain application, but odds are you will be able to keep the shed where it stands.
If your old boiler was oil and the new is gas or something like that changed, the town will want an application for that. If its gas, its in your best interest to make sure its done to code and inspected (which I am sure it is but better safe than sorry in these cases)..

I do this for a living so PM me or respond if you have any other questions. Im at the Town of Babylon at least 3 times a week! I probably have seen you guys there LOL

Re: Another update about our house upgrade

Thanks for responding. I was just speaking to my neighbor and he said the same thing.........that it's not as painful as it sounds.

Still have a lot to think about!