Posted on 08/05/2015 9:05:04 PM PDT by TMD
We're attempting to build a master bedroom and move the master bathroom on our 2100 sq/ft house in Campbell. Total addition is ~500 sq/ft. We went to submit the plans on Monday and were told we're in a "special study zone" so a more complete design scrutiny review is required which will take 60 days to complete and requires buy-in from all our neighbors. Besides this giant hiccup, they said we have to replace our energy-saving water heater that was installed in 2011, change our current low-flow toilets from 1.6 to 1.2 gals, redo our drainage for the new downspout so it flows to the storm drain (note this will required trenching through 60' of concrete to get from the backyard to the street).
When I complain to my bleeding-heart liberal relatives their responses run the gamut from "What, you don't want to build your house safely?" to "Well, if you don't like it then why don't you move to another state?" We did remodel our kitchen last year and had our share of mandates (=$$$) from the City, the last of which was a requirement to install railings on our front porch before they'd sign off on the final kitchen inspection.
I'm a native Californian and we've lived in our house for 29 years. Why are we being punished?
Yes, I’m bitching…..more and more and more rules by petty, unnaccountable bureaucrats do nothing to encourage taxpaying homeowners to improve our property, neighborhood, community...If you encourage something (following the rules), you get more of it. If you discourage something (following the rules), you get less of it.
For a $1300 filing fee (and an additional 60 days until we can submit the plans for approval) - here are some examples of burning issues we have to address:
Is there a change in-
1. existing features of any bays, tidelands, beaches, hills or substantial alteration of ground contours
2. scenic views or vistas from existing residential areas or public lands or roads
3. pattern, scale or character of general area of project
4. significant amount of solid waste or litter
5. dust, ash, smoke, fumes or odors in vicinity
6.ocean, bay, lake, stream or ground water quality or quantity of alteration of existing drainage patterns
7. substantial change in existing noise or vibration levels in the vicinity
8. use or disposal of petentially hazardous materials such as toxic substances, flammables or explosives
9. substantial change in demand for municipal services (police, fire, water, sewage, etc…)
10 substantially increase fossil fuel consumption (electricity, oil, natural gas, etc…)
11. additional traffic generation or parking demand
Describe the project site as it exists before the project, including information on topography, soil stabile, plants and animals and any cultural, historical or scenic aspects. Describe any existing structures on the site and the use of the structures. Attach photographs of the site.
Describe the surrounding properties, including information on plants and animals and any cultural, historical aspects. Indicate the type of land use (residential, commercial, etc.), intensity of land use (one-family, apratment houses, shops, department stores, etc.) and scale of any development (height, frontage, set-back, rear yard, etc.) Attach photographs of the site.
We have to verify whether or not our property in included on the CAL-EPA Department of Toxic Substances Control Facility Inventory Data Base Hazardous Waste and Substances Sites List.
We have to provide a plot plan showing (among other things) proposed or existing street improvements, proposed exterior lighting, pedestrian, vehicular, and service points of ingress and egress, driveway widths. Paved areas must indicate proposed walkways, patios and disabled access. Fencing, including retaining walls, existing and/or proposed to be shown (type, height, and materials.)
Show location/design of trash enclosures, utility transformers and meters necessary to service the propsed use. Indicate public transit stops and bicycle/motorcycle facilities when appropriate.
Landscape plan - conceptual landscape plan indicating existing and proposed landscaping. Show all existing trees on site and indicate which tress are proposed to be removed or retained. Indicate the trunk diameter, tree drip line and tree type for all trees over 12” in diameter measured at 4 feet above grade.
A streetscape of the proposed project which illustras the proposed building and the adjacent buildings on either side as viewed from the street.
Additionally, they want to see a paint sample, roofing sample and samples of building materials. Apparently we joined a homeowners association without our knowledge or consent.
The list goes on for 17 pages. Every single thing can be verified by - looking at the plans, driving by or looking at Google maps
The only advice we’ve gotten from the designer is “Don’t make them mad or they’ll really start to scrutinize things.”
In real life, there is actually a point at which the costs imposed outweigh the benefits. Back in the day a cost-benefit analysis was required and provided actual, comparative figures of the benefit vs. the costs but, as long as your spending other peoples money, there is no limit to the cost or time imposed on the rule-following, taxpaying property owner.
We’re paying unaccountabe bureaucrats to tell us to go f*** ourselves because of their ability to pick off small constituencies (people who want to make improvements to their home) and counting on the choice between them acquiescing and paying the bribes/indulgences or not being allowed to make the improvements. It disincentivizes people from doing the right thing and incentivizes people to work outside the system (which results in sloppy/unsafe improvements).
Thanks for letting me vent!!
AICP = Another idiot with colored pencils
We bought this house in ‘87 with the intent of living here through retirement. It’s a single story, quiet, great neighborhood and close enough to anything we need. With the kids done with college we need to replace the roof so we’re also trying to upgrade/improve the layout to see us through our retirement years and ensure the kids aren’t stuck with a house they won’t be able to sell for a decent price because ‘deferred maintenance’ is required. That’s what happened with my in-laws house, too many things required work it wasn’t worth our while so we sold it and invested in our home so the kids wouldn’t be in the same situation - especially since they’ll never be able to buy a home in this area.
Every time I go to the planning dept I just want to say screw it...we’re outta here.
Ten years ago I hired an Architect to draw plans for a kitchen remodel and to add 174 sq ft to our house. The Los Alamitos, Ca planning department signed off, the building department signed off and told me to come over to pickup my permit. When I tried to do so I was informed that the planning director had changed her mind and unsigned the department’s approval. I asked why, she told me and her answer made no sense so I asked to see this in the city code. Couldn’t show me, but it was my tough luck. The lawyers I shared this with wanted to fight (two pro bono!) while the contractors and Architects said “don’t fight city hall”. I let it go until recently. With the same plans in hand, new engineering (yes you read that right), new energy calcs (that too), and about $5000 for that and the plan check, permit and all the other fees, I can finally put a shovel into my dirt. After this is done we’re outta here!
I also grew up in California as did our three children and all four of my grandparents. Two of my boys are planning out of state moves. When we leave we will be taking a very successful second generation business with us. The liberals, socialists, commies, loafers, illegals, sickos and the rest of the rude pukes have made life here too expensive and time consuming to be worth it.
We will be shopping for a new state to put roots down in. The ones that express a desire to secede from the union will be on top of the list.
Yep, we’ve looked at the website for info about “Special Study Zones” and couldn’t find any information.
Being designated an “historical district” is the kiss of death if you ever want to make improvements.
The ironic thing is that all the paperwork seems to be directed at a developer planning a development rather than a puny little room add-on in an unused side yard. These people are like the hall monitors from junior high...just following the ‘rules’ and there’s no way on God’s green earth they will ever admit they are wrong or made a mistake....
New Mexico has it’s faults, but in may ways is still a free state.
Your ancestors would have started shooting people by now. Just saying.
L
Oy, I feel your pain!! They don’t mind spending other people’s money and wasting their time. Sounds like a pretty expensive addition- $$$/sq ft.
When it came time for our final kitchen inspection, the inspector said we needed railings on our steps to get the kitchen signed off. After a couple of months of trying to figure out how to manage that without ruining the look o the brick pilasters on the side of the steps, we finally had custom wrought iron railings installed. When we called again to have the final, they said “Oh, it’s already been signed off” - months earlier....frikkin morons.
Good luck finding a new state, especially one that hasn’t been poisoned by Californians. Let me know where you end up. ; )
Must be more Conservatives in this dump city than I thought. I feel you. This city is ridiculous. We can’t even use plastic bags at the store.
“Good luck finding a new state, especially one that hasn’t been poisoned by Californians. Let me know where you end up. ; )”
Can’t imagine many of my fellow Californians being attracted to somewhere like North Dakota. Unless they are serial killers on the lamb, of course.
I was a Building Contractor in Wilmington, NC. and had frequent dealings with the "Hysterical Society" there. They were a bunch of do-nothings that wanted to exert their power in any way possible.
While building a NEW house in their midst )after a year of negotiations in style, design, and whatever else they decided), I encountered a couple of queer men that wanted to upgrade their home by installing wood-grained vinyl siding. Of course they were refused that opportunity.
Their response was to paint the house. They used 14 different colors to decorate the house in the proper Hysterical style as it had formerly been in the 1800"s as a Bordello!
Ha! They were at first refused for that design, but after a presentation by their Lawyer, those old biddies had to relent. Who had that last laugh!
It actually looked pretty good, but of course they did it tastefully. After all, we all know queers have lots of "style"!!! YMMV!
Make your home a sanctuary home, adding square feet will be subsidized.
Just move out of CA if you can. Alternately, find another home that fits your new needs, sell and move. Cheaper than adding on.
This is probably not what you want to hear but ..
quit while you still have any self-respect.
There’s a limit and I hope you’ll reach it very soon. Meanwhile consider yourself part of the problem.
Nice one-liner, very nice. Is moving wrong in this case? If so, why?
Here’s another one-liner: The trend is your friend. In CA, what is the trend? More restrictions and regs, or less? Saner or less so?
Please make a video when you finally do. It'll get more hits than Harper Valley PTA.
That’s fk’d up and almost none of it applies to you or anywhere near Campbell.
What they did is a copy/paste job from a couple agencies, like San Francisco, and made code requirements that have nothing to do with where you actually live.
IOW: They are too friggin lazy to do any real work, they want to look intelligent but, the truth is they plagiarized the work of another city and county, with no regard for its efficacy and application of, for and to the community.
What does “Ocean, Bay or Stream” have to do with Campbell?
Most if the items on there have nothing to do with Campbell and many are commercial reauirements.
It wouldn’t surprise me if you were handed the wrong permit requirements.
I am at my brother’s, who does construction, and I’ll show this to him.
He’ll probably say you were handed the wrong requirements.
My mom and dad built my childhood home from the ground up. Outside of concrete and masonry work, they did it all...framing, wiring, drywall, roofing, painting, siding, everything.
No permits, no impact studies, no government intervention whatsoever. He just bought the materials and built it.
Of course, that was rural WV in the 1970’s.
Somehow, the house is still standing and hasn’t burnt to the ground, collapsed, or exploded.
My brother says “Yep” and your architect is suppose to do that, to get you through the permit process.
He had way more to say, which is funny as hell, because he is a Democrat but, talks exactly like a Republican.
He’ll get it one day....
Yep, family and jobs are currently the ties that bind us here. As those change in the next few years, we will likely hit the tipping point.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.