I am caught on the fence here, I work for a regional planning agency, however, our neighborhood is undergoing a major water-sewer project and road reconstruction, the plans were drawn up in 2001, well, about 2 days ago they began pouring curb and gutter, funny thing, they didn't leave a cut out for our driveway opening. I went to the building dept. they told me the driveway we have been utilizing (a gravel area in front of the house) is not in compliance with local zoning. The neighborhood is affectionately known as "little italy" a main reason being that the houses are VERY close together and lot sizes are VERY small (ours is 34 x 68), so parking is at A PREMIUM, plus we're in a snowbelt so there's no on street parking from Nov-April............see my dilemma.
The curb and gutters been poured, thats water under the bridge, the city says its not their problem that we lost our place to park, if the zoning administrator had told me years ago that we were not in compliance, I would have gone to get the variance a long time ago. I just feel like, we have a large assessment because of this work, and we end up being the only ones in the neighborhood that LOSE their driveway.
Seems like the communication should have been better as to what they were intending to do and why. Now we're left holding bag to pay for the variance, surveying and what not.
Is this how the process is supposed to work?
The curb and gutters been poured, thats water under the bridge, the city says its not their problem that we lost our place to park, if the zoning administrator had told me years ago that we were not in compliance, I would have gone to get the variance a long time ago. I just feel like, we have a large assessment because of this work, and we end up being the only ones in the neighborhood that LOSE their driveway.
Seems like the communication should have been better as to what they were intending to do and why. Now we're left holding bag to pay for the variance, surveying and what not.
Is this how the process is supposed to work?