"[M]: RE: RE: Zoning Laws" in the Meade Astronomy Archive

Subject: [M]: RE: RE: Zoning Laws
From: Astrodomes
Reply To: mapug@shore.net
Date: Sat Dec 29 00:36:31 2001

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RE: Zoning LawsBecome a Moslem and build your self a domed mosque.

[Astrodomes] -----Original Message-----
Sent: Saturday, 29 December 2001 10:04
Subject: [M]: RE: Zoning Laws

I provide consulting services on zoning matters all of the time.
Variances are a four letter work. They are usually only granted if a
significant hardship can be proven. Usually the type of thing you are
proposing could be accomplished as an accessory structure. You should look
at what the minimum principal structure allowances are for the zoning
allowance the land already has and try to call your observatory a principal
structure with a residential component. Usually in rural areas the zoning
regulations are rather simplistic and the minimum floor area is quite low.
You may be able to build a one bedroom one bath observatory about 800 square
feet and call it a residential structure and get away with what you want to
do.

Getting an attorney or others involved will cost you more than the upgrade
cost to go from 600 square feet to 800 square feet or larger if needed.
Remember you only have to build a shell that looks good from the outside.
If you try a variance do it yourself and represent yourself but success
chances are often slim.

Before you submit your variance application get a feel for what the
planning and zoning and board of county commissioners or city council
members think of your proposal. This is critically important. I should
bold the last sentence. You want to know what they think of your proposal
and preferably how they will vote before you get up in front of them. You
don't want to just plead your case cold turkey. This is a huge mistake and
waste of time. Take the time to meet with each member individually before
you waste your time on the variance.

Emilio J.Robau, P.E.

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, December 28, 2001 5:22 PM
Subject: [M]: Zoning Laws

Hi Mapugers,
I have a question that is somewhat - ok it's a lot - off topic. I am
getting close to a life-time dream of having my own permanent
observatory. I bought a piece of property in the country, about an hour
away, and even had an architect put together a modest plan for a 600
square foot observatory with a 12' dome. But now the county is telling
me I cannot build that kind of building there. It's not zoned for that
sort of thing and he is telling me that my chances of getting a variance
are small. If it were an accessory building to an already existing
residence, I would have a chance. But he says they are not likely to
grant it.

My question is whether or not any of you have had experience in dealing
with zoning boards and what advice you would give. This whole thing
seems almost obscene to me. It is a large property (50 acres) and
bothers no one. It's crazy. Any thoughts on strategy? From light
pollution to zoning laws it seems like all the cards in this society are
stacked against people who just want to gaze at stars. What could be
more harmless. Yipes!

Any thoughts would be appreciated. If this is too far off topic please
respond privately.

Thanks,
Mike B

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<HTML><HEAD><TITLE>RE: Zoning Laws</TITLE>
<META content=3D"text/html; charset=3Diso-8859-1" =
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<DIV>Become=20
a Moslem and build your self a domed mosque. </DIV>
<DIV> <FONT=20
size=3D2>[Astrodomes]  -----Original=20
Laws </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE style=3D"MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
I provide consulting services on zoning matters all =
of the=20
time.  Variances are a four letter work.  They are usually =
only=20
granted if a significant hardship can be proven.  Usually the =
type of=20
thing you are proposing could be accomplished as an accessory =
structure. =20
You should look at what the minimum principal structure allowances are =
for the=20
zoning allowance the land already has and try to call your observatory =
a=20
principal structure with a residential component.  Usually in =
rural areas=20
the zoning regulations are rather simplistic and the minimum floor =
area is=20
quite low.  You may be able to build a one bedroom one bath =
observatory=20
about 800 square feet and call it a residential structure and get away =
with=20
what you want to do.
Getting an attorney or others involved will cost you =
more than=20
the upgrade cost to go from 600 square feet to 800 square feet or =
larger if=20
needed.  Remember you only have to build a shell that looks good =
from the=20
outside.  If you try a variance do it yourself and represent =
yourself but=20
success chances are often slim.
Before you submit your variance application get a =
feel for=20
what the planning and zoning and board of county commissioners or city =
council=20
members think of your proposal.  This is critically =
important.  I=20
should bold the last sentence.  You want to know what they think =
of your=20
proposal and preferably how they will vote before you get up in front =
of=20
them.  You don't want to just plead your case cold turkey. This =
is a huge=20
mistake and waste of time.  Take the time to meet with each =
member=20
individually before you waste your time on the variance.
Emilio J.Robau, P.E. 
-----Original Message----- From:=20
Michael S. Bushell [<A=20
=
>]=20
 Sent: Friday, December 28, 2001 5:22 PM =
 <FONT=20
Zoning=20
Laws 
Hi Mapugers, I have a =
question that is=20
somewhat - ok it's a lot - off topic. I am getting=20
close to a life-time dream of having my own permanent observatory. I bought a piece of property in the country, =
about an=20
hour away, and even had an architect put =
together a=20
modest plan for a 600 square foot =
observatory with a=20
12' dome. But now the county is telling me I =
cannot=20
build that kind of building there. It's not zoned for that =
 <FONT=20
size=3D2>sort of thing and he is telling me that my chances of getting =
a=20
variance are small. If it were an accessory =
building=20
to an already existing residence, I would =
have a=20
chance. But he says they are not likely to grant=20
it. 
My question is whether or not any of you have had =
experience=20
in dealing with zoning boards and what =
advice you=20
would give. This whole thing seems almost =
obscene to=20
me. It is a large property (50 acres) and bothers no=20
one. It's crazy. Any thoughts on strategy? From light pollution to zoning laws it seems like all the cards in this =
society=20
are stacked against people who just want to =
gaze at=20
stars. What could be more harmless. =
Yipes! 
Any thoughts would be appreciated. If this is too =
far off=20
topic please respond privately. 
Thanks, Mike B=20
</BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>

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