I oversimplified this somewhat for the video, but essentially I've changed to a completely new design for the house. Here’s the ... [more]

I oversimplified this somewhat for the video, but essentially I've changed to a completely new design for the house. Here’s the messy details on what happened.

The lot, which is not that big, turns out to be a “through lot”, meaning that because it has a street on both sides, it is considered to have two front yards. Now, on a normal lot, the setback requirements dictate that the house will be 30 feet from the front property line and that the rear distance be 20% of the lot’s depth. My original house plan fit fine within these requirements. However, on a through lot, the rear setback is 30’, same as the front.

So, the city came back with a letter stating that I needed to apply for a variance. This would have been a two-month wait and it was not at all certain that the variance would be approved by the city council.

I quickly started looking for new house plans and found another one by the same architect, that actually turns out to have been a better plan. It has a two-car garage instead of just one; it is less dramatic, meaning it will be easier for me to build and cost less as well; and all-importantly, it fits within all the setback requirements. The nice thing is that the architect let me switch the plans for free. The only thing is the new plan has three bedrooms instead of four, but what the heck do I need four bedrooms for, anyway (they were kind of small too).

So after all that, the city planner later clarified since the front porch could encroach on the front setback, I could place the original plan on the lot after all. But since the lot is not square, the house end up quite unparallel to the front road, and I would still have to build a retaining wall in the back to convert the back porch into a “stoop” that could encroach on the rear setback. Since I was going to need the surveyor to draw a new site plan anyways, I decided to just have him draw it up with the new house design instead of the old one.

For the curious, I’m not showing any of the design until the foundation is in. [less]

I applied for my building permit this morning with the city of Robbinsdale. A survey of the old house, another of the proposed new ... [more]

I applied for my building permit this morning with the city of Robbinsdale. A survey of the old house, another of the proposed new one, two copies of plans, an application form and an affidavit stating that I am not hiring a contractor. Now it's sit and wait time. Well, actually I have a lot more "homework" to do to be ready to start once the permit comes through. [less]