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Building permit rant...
In August, I'm building a new shop not far from my house. I go to the county assessor to pull the permit(s) and they immediately tell me I have to go to the County Road Commission.
The Road Com tells me I have to pull a $65 permit for my driveway. Uhm...what? This is the existing gravel driveway provided with the house that I purchased in 2008. The Road Commission wants to ensure it is up to "code". I asked what does that mean? The worthless bureaucrat behind the counter couldn't answer any questions other than say "it is required for all building permits after 2006." The only thing I can think of is the culvert at the driveway entrance. I can't imagine they have jurisdiction beyond the easement.
And it gets better...
Back at the county assessor... They pull up my plat on a computer so I can identify the future shop location. On the map, there's a small red circle not far from the entrance of my driveway. I get closer to the screen and it says "Designated Wetlands". The assessor informed me that I can't build anything within 40' of the area. This will not affect my shop construction but the area wasn't "wetlands" 9 years ago.
I'm researching my options for challenging the designation.
The Road Com tells me I have to pull a $65 permit for my driveway. Uhm...what? This is the existing gravel driveway provided with the house that I purchased in 2008. The Road Commission wants to ensure it is up to "code". I asked what does that mean? The worthless bureaucrat behind the counter couldn't answer any questions other than say "it is required for all building permits after 2006." The only thing I can think of is the culvert at the driveway entrance. I can't imagine they have jurisdiction beyond the easement.
And it gets better...
Back at the county assessor... They pull up my plat on a computer so I can identify the future shop location. On the map, there's a small red circle not far from the entrance of my driveway. I get closer to the screen and it says "Designated Wetlands". The assessor informed me that I can't build anything within 40' of the area. This will not affect my shop construction but the area wasn't "wetlands" 9 years ago.
I'm researching my options for challenging the designation.
When our governing officials dismiss due process as mere semantics, when they exercise powers they don’t have and ignore duties they actually bear, and when we let them get away with it, we have ceased to be our own rulers.
Adam J. McCleod
Adam J. McCleod
Replies
Last time I crossed swords with those nazi's in California, I had to complain to the state to get them to knock off the BS and issue the damn permit. They were as mad as wet hens and couldn't do anything about it. That's one of the few things I'll say good about the state: the HCD department doesn't tolerate crooked local building departments!
Homeowner's insurance insisted I take down the existing 12x20 garage...said it looked unstable. I hooked a chain to the bumper of my suburban and to the corner post of the garage and took a big tug. Township set word to insurance that garage was compliant.
Wanted to put up a shop, but setbacks were making it impossible with the dimensions I planned...setbacks waived (variance issued) and was advised that if I tripped while setting the pins and it grew they had no problem.
Wanted to rip off old porch, re-build with composite and do a kitchen addition with no plans...they knew me well enough that it would be done right, and permit issued same visit.
Asked what was required to put up a target range at the house..."as long as it doesn't tick off the neighbors, just a safe back stop". Neighbor and some of the township folks ask to try it out.
Love my little town.
Jerry
This.
Dad 5-31-13
The area is not "wetlands" per the Army Corps of Engineers' definition. There is no vegetation commonly associated with wetlands; cattails, bulrushes, mosses, etc. The area is literally pine forest, grasses, and blackberry brambles. The area has standing water in the spring when the snow melts.
Adam J. McCleod
Jerry
Its where you have to ask the government's permission to do things on/to your OWN PROPERTY.
Then you might have something to go on since the Army Corps of Engineers is federal. Seems to me that a federal entity cannot claim "wetlands" while another federal entity says it isn't. Hope you continue to be a thorn in their side and get your shop.
A set of checks on building to make sure that the septic line actually goes to a tank instead of the creek and the well isnt in the field drain, to make sure that the builder isnt creating roads or driveways on other peoples property, to make sure that run off is not going to accumulate as a pond in the neighbors basement, so that the electric panel doesnt have orange extension cord running out of it to feed the kitchen.
Some are stupid, others make sense.