Our next door neighbor called the City... PHOTOS!(pg1)

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

Wow I'm glad they don't have those minimum size requirements here. Our house is left then half the size of 85% of the homes in our subdivision. We originally were shopping for the bigger (3500+ sq ft) ones, but then we happened across ours (around 17-1800 sq ft) and we loved it. It felt like us and was no more and no less then exactly what we needed (and who wants to clean all that extra space anyways), and cost much much less (allowing us more money to decorate beautifully and vacation, etc). We get all the benefit of the awesome schools, and fantastic neighborhood without the high cost. But I do understand why they would have them with the comps, appraisal thing. I know we looked at all the area comps when we made our offer (we only based them on similiar sq ft though). I wonder how they resolved that issue here? When we bought our house the house down the block (2x the size) was still going for 250k more.

OP, that sucks that your neighbor is upset, but as long as you followed all codes and regulations they have no grounds to complain. In all honesty they sound like the type of people who would complain anyways. BTW, you wouldn't believe the number of neighbor horror stories I've heard that all started with a fence issue.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

Originally posted by Tink&SquirtsMom

OP, that sucks that your neighbor is upset, but as long as you followed all codes and regulations they have no grounds to complain. In all honesty they sound like the type of people who would complain anyways. BTW, you wouldn't believe the number of neighbor horror stories I've heard that all started with a fence issue.

While it is true that the city agrees that the OP did follow code and regulations, I wouldn't be surprised if the complainant was able to prove in a court of law that the OP's addition has interfered with their use and enjoyment of their property. Building something big enough to cut off sunlight to a deck sounds like a serious infringement.

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

I guess I was assuming that because these neighbors had misplaced their aggressions before (blaming neighbors rather then the surveyor), that their claim of loss of sunlight was probably exaggerated. My parents had some problems with a past neighbor (which also began over a fence boundary issue, which my parents won), where these neighbors sued my parents over a koi pond my parents had installed that they claimed was leaking and causing soil errosion in their backyard (their yard sloped down from ours). Their case was going well, until one night outside my bedroom window I looked out and saw the husband peak over their fence to see where exactly the pond was then run their hose in that spot on their yard to look like soil errosion. My dad snapped some pics of this act and sent them to their lawyer and suddenly the case was dismissed.

I guess I should have looked at if from the other neighbors POV and if their claims are true, thats really sad, but I guess from her description and my personal experience maybe I didn't give them as much credibility as they might have deserved.

 

[mtblujeans]

Originally posted by RoyalCanadian
While it is true that the city agrees that the OP did follow code and regulations, I wouldn't be surprised if the complainant was able to prove in a court of law that the OP's addition has interfered with their use and enjoyment of their property. Building something big enough to cut off sunlight to a deck sounds like a serious infringement.

UH-OH! Is this an AAL?? Do even AALs like Disney???

 

[RoyalCanadian]

Originally posted by mtblujeans
UH-OH! Is this an AAL?? Do even AALs like Disney???

AAL? Where I come from AAL means (or used to mean, years ago) "Aid Association for Lutherans." It was a life insurance company. What does AAL mean out here.

BTW -- I love Disney so much that we bought the company. Well, actually we love it so much that we bought an undivided interest of 0.02% in Unit 8-A at Saratoga Springs Resort.

 

[DisMN]

Looking at it from your neighbors view, I'd be quite disappointed to lose the use of my deck or patio via the loss of light or sunshine. Heck, isn't that what you build them for? To get the most out of the outdoor weather including the sun?

I don't have a clue how one would rectify the situation though especially if you already have a shakey relationship with the neighbors.

 

[poohandwendy]

In our area, applications for changes to homes that require a permit are posted in the local paper giving those interested the opportunity to attend a zoning board meeting and challenge the proposed changes before a permit is issued. No guarantee for satisfaction, but no surprises either.

As to the OP, I don't think there is any way you can appease your neighbors. Just be friendly when you see them and go about your business. You can't please all of the people all of the time.

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by Laurabearz

To make matters worse, she is one of 4 family members who own houses on our street.... Her sister is next door from her, her brother is across the street and her mother is around the corner. AND her sister has kids the same age and sex as ours, but they will have nothing to do with us... and the make sure the kids dont either. Isnt that sad???

Ohh we had one of those!! The family across the street from em started out....I threw sand in her sons hair and she came over and cursed my mom out...from that day we didn't talk to them (might I add I was 4 years old and he was 8!),,the the daughter bought the house directly behind us (thank goodness for big shrubs!) then the son bought the house on the corner..he is the only one left here now..the old lady died and the daughter moved! We now have nice neighbors back there, we just split the cost of a 6 foot fence since we both have pools back there.
There is construction on a house on my block too and the neighbors have the same feeling your do, it cuts out the sunlight on their porch and they aren't happy... its not illegal to do it....just makes it tough to be friendly with your neighbors, yours already don't like you so shouldn't matter much to you LOL...

 

[Laurabearz]

Originally posted by RoyalCanadian
While it is true that the city agrees that the OP did follow code and regulations, I wouldn't be surprised if the complainant was able to prove in a court of law that the OP's addition has interfered with their use and enjoyment of their property. Building something big enough to cut off sunlight to a deck sounds like a serious infringement.

Serious infringement.... maybe... but their deck (poured concrete) is kinda in between our two houses in the side yard.... the majority of their yard has sun....

I will try to take pictures today.

And I really do feel bad, and if the shoe was on the other foot... I would be upset at me too.

Oh and it does matter to me, that we now, for sure, with out a doubt, have 4 families that hate us.... 4 families that wont even let their kids play with ours.... kept me up all night, tossing and turning.....

I will have a talk with them, prolly the husband becasue he is a bit more reasonable (doesnt yell at me, yells at his wife, but not at me... sadly) but not today.... lol soon though.

 

[Serena]

I wouldn't feel too badly. It sounds like nothing you do is right for them.

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by RoyalCanadian
While it is true that the city agrees that the OP did follow code and regulations, I wouldn't be surprised if the complainant was able to prove in a court of law that the OP's addition has interfered with their use and enjoyment of their property. Building something big enough to cut off sunlight to a deck sounds like a serious infringement.

------------------------------

This has been tried numerous times in the area where we have our lake house.. Someone has a place with a beautiful view of the lake - someone else comes along and purchases the lot in front of them and builds a summer home that blocks the first person's view of the lake.. A complaint is filed and every time it has been struck down.. Why? Because the owner of the first lake house "could" have purchased the lot in front of them to avoid this kind of "infringement" but chose not to.. Blocking someones "sunlight" on their patio would never be considered a "serious infringement" - probably wouldn't even make it as far as the board..

 

[MeanLaureen]

maybe I have my stupid hat on this morning - I did oversleep and I'm late for work so it's possible - BUT...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but how could the OP's addition COMPLETELY obstruct the neighbors sun on their porch unless it directly hung over it (like the canopy of a tree). The sun constantly moves (okay, well the earth constantly moves ) and the positioning of the sun changes throughout the day. Is the addition blocking light from the porch all day or just for a part of it? Technically doesn't their own house block part of the sun also?

I wouldn't feel bad - if you ask me, they are just trying to stick it to you however they can. You'll never make them happy short of tearing your house down and handing the property over to them.

I know it sucks having neighbors you can't get along with but just concentrate on the neighbors you are friendly with and maybe do a little something extra for them today to realize the neighborhood isn't all bad.

Good luck

 

[Christine]

Originally posted by MeanLaureen
Correct me if I'm wrong, but how could the OP's addition COMPLETELY obstruct the neighbors sun on their porch unless it directly hung over it (like the canopy of a tree). The sun constantly moves (okay, well the earth constantly moves ) and the positioning of the sun changes throughout the day. Is the addition blocking light from the porch all day or just for a part of it? Technically doesn't their own house block part of the sun also?


Good luck

MeanLaureen,
It's probably hard to say but, in my particular case, the way my house is built, my front stoop and sidewalk never get any son because of they area where my garage is built. It's not a big deal to me, but because that area is in the shade 95% of the day, the sidewalk constantly grows a green *mold* on it.

I can see where an extension or house built too closely to another and extending out a few feet, might cause this kind of problem.

 

[Laurabearz]

Bumping up for photos...

 

[danacara]

Dude, I might throw some Christmas lights on your tree come wintertime. You could light up their yard to the level where NASA could see it from space. Hee hee.

 

[leahannpen]

If your home only blocks the sun for a few morning hours, I would not be too worried. You followed code. You really didn't do anything wrong. I know how it is to live next to people who you don't get along with and it's rotten, but you really did not do anything wrong.

I think it would be a different matter if your home blocked their sun all day... but that's not the case. It's a smaller, side portion, for a few morning hours. That is not the end of the world.

 

[lucky_bunni]

with high electric prices - they should be thanking you for shading their home. It's reducing the time the air is running!

 

[mtblujeans]

Originally posted by RoyalCanadian
AAL? Where I come from AAL means (or used to mean, years ago) "Aid Association for Lutherans." It was a life insurance company. What does AAL mean out here.

BTW -- I love Disney so much that we bought the company. Well, actually we love it so much that we bought an undivided interest of 0.02% in Unit 8-A at Saratoga Springs Resort.

In my work, it is Attorney At Law. It's really OK if you are an AAL. It's also OK if you sell insurance in the Lutheran Association. And, it's even OK if you own a BIG part of Disney!! It was just fun teasing you!

 

[Towncrier]

Sounds kind of like a similar situation that my cousin went through. Her home in Boulder (Colorado) was situated on a double sized lot and she had an unobstructed view of the Rocky Mountains from her kitchen window (or in fact any window on that side of the house). Due to financial concerns, she ended up selling the lot that was between her house and the mountains with the understanding that the new owner locate their house in the middle of the lot so as to not block her view. Well, they ended up building their house right on the property line and now my cousin has a view of their house. The mountain view is completely obstructed. And there was no good reason for the house to be located that way. I wonder how that building plan got approved.

On the other hand, as long as your house (and my cousin's neighbor's house) meet the building codes, there's not much point in the other party complaining. They can always move to a bigger lot.

 

[SC Minnie]

As far as your neighbors are concerned that is just part of living in a development where the houses are that close together. If they don't like it they can move.