Owner changing county zoning on property next door

[Kayzmum]

The property next door to us has been zoned for office use for about 20 years now. They were never able to develop it because they can't get access to the road because of the traffic. They are now trying to change it to a single family residential property. The county has requested the hold a virtual meeting with neighbors to address any questions or concerns. I don't have a problem with it; and in fact, prefer they change it to a residential property and don't see any reason to attend this meeting. Am I missing anything? Is there any reason for me to attend? Any questions or concerns I should ask about that I haven't thought of. I'm hoping someone has already been through a similar situation.

 

[CRLLS]

I would attend. What if, during that meeting, the property owner wants to change from single-family to multi-family? Or worse yet, the owner, after listening to the attendees floats some other alternative zoning plans. BTW, my experience is that zoning means zilch. One can always get a variance granted for a single piece of property. And there is something called overlay zoning which creates a zoning within a zone that is not necessarily in keeping with the underlying zoning requirements. Keeping informed is your best action, even though most of this type of meetings are not really asking for residents' opinions. They just want to follow the laws and regulations. They will rule the way they want to 99.9% of the time. I have personally seen it many times. Only once have I seen such a plan thwarted by an overwhelming, opposing, organized group of attendees.

Attend the meeting and get your affected neighbors to attend also.

 

[MichaelB]

Does the town have an ordinance regarding home businesses? Just in case the lot owner’s plan is to run (or allow) a retail type business that would affect traffic patterns and such.

 

[Koolau]

Our family business was started in a residential area before zoning laws were issued. When we wanted to get it zoned (so that we could sell or rebuild after a fire or other disaster) it took us almost a year of zoning meetings to get it done. Lots of push back (not from neighbors - just from folks on the zoning board who didn't like the idea.)

SO, I would say to go to the meeting and be prepared to state your opinion(s).

 

[John Galt III]

I think it would be better to have a real meeting in person, but yes, sign on to the virtual. There might be something in the plan you don't like, like a dumpster being put right next to your property line. It could be legal to put the dumpster there, but just by requesting an alternative, you might get it.

And you can ask for a 'buffer yard' of shrubs or trees to be placed between your prop and theirs, if desired.

I and my neighbors have successfully fended off several awful development ideas for the big lot next door to us, by showing up en mass at the zoning meetings. It always involved a variance being requested by the new owner.

Not saying the plan in your case will be awful, but...

 

[troutnut1]

“Residential” could be single family, multiple family, assisted living, skilled nursing, sober living, etc. depending upon the lingo of your zoning folks.

 

[meleana]

The property next door to us has been zoned for office use for about 20 years now. They were never able to develop it because they can't get access to the road because of the traffic. They are now trying to change it to a single family residential property. The county has requested the hold a virtual meeting with neighbors to address any questions or concerns. I don't have a problem with it; and in fact, prefer they change it to a residential property and don't see any reason to attend this meeting. Am I missing anything? Is there any reason for me to attend? Any questions or concerns I should ask about that I haven't thought of. I'm hoping someone has already been through a similar situation.

What the big deal? Attend the meeting so you get first hand information.

 

[Iusta]

By nature people dislike change. Unfortunately you get 50% of the Neighbors at these meetings voicing negative opinions, a couple people will be for it and the Zoning Committee have already made up their mind before the meeting. The first meeting is all the complainers, then the Owner has to go back and pay more money to redo plans etc, then a second meeting of the same and then 3rd meeting it gets passed anyway...just cost the poor guy more money and you pissed him off. My opinion is that its not your land so dont give him a hard time. Sounds like that is your position anyway. If you want to go to the meeting it will be entertaining to see all the angry folks voicing their craziness. Maybe you should go and give him your support and be a good Neighbor. He will reciprocate in the future.

 

[jazz4cash]

What the big deal? Attend the meeting so you get first hand information.

+1
In our area each neighboring property is notified of requested changes and can opt-in to updates. A property nextdoor filed but the change request was revised from residential to church property. A church property potentially has negative traffic and parking impacts. It turned out to be a mix-up but you really need to stay close to tje process.

 

[StillFiguringItOut]

Good land use members try to keep an open mind and do listen to what the applicant presents, as well as what the neighbors have to say. Keep in mind that in order to change the use, the applicant is supposed to state what the benefits to the use change will be and the smart applicant will also address any detriments to that change. Neighbors are also encouraged to address benefits and detriments.

I have testified in favor and opposed to various applications over the years, depending on what was proposed. I also have been a member of zoning boards and land use boards (NJ). All states are different, so doing a bit of reading up on your State’s way of doing things is beneficial. I encourage you to participate in the meeting. It’s beneficial to you.

 

[marko]

I would attend ANY meeting that has something to do with the property next door.

 

[latexman]

Our family business was started in a residential area before zoning laws were issued.

A lot of huge corporations were started in a garage. Microsoft, Walt Disney, Dell, Google to name a few.

 

[Aerides]

For sure go to the meeting. You'll hopefully see the plans and details. SFH can mean a whole lot. For example, my neighborhood is mostly 1-story SFH's, with a couple two story on the perimeters.

When someone wants to increase their property and plop a 2 story in the middle, it impacts the neighbors - view/privacy/shade, etc.

We don't have HOA limits (unfortunately) other than the county. There are a couple of ridiculous 2 story homes that are two 10 foot story, plus high roofs, that completely overshadow homes around them. It looks ridiculous. I'd be furious, and move.

 

[imnontrad]

I agree with others - attend. If not, maybe a developer will attend and it will become multi-family, etc and that building may lower your property value.