What ever happened to the 1100 SF Starter Ranch?

[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by Crookhaven

As of when OBH?

Could it be neighbors ratting out neighbors up by you?

I still see plenty of 1 wall renovations out here.

Best,



crooks

It has been a while now, at least several years. This is a Brookhaven town rule.

The town was getting screwed out of tax revenue by these '1 wall' renos. The law was changed to reflect that anything greater than 50% is considered new construction. Also, they increase your taxes slightly once a permit is opened -- this started about 10 years ago -- too many people were leaving permits open for years and years in order to avoid any tax increases.

[Crookhaven]

Originally Posted by OhBeeHave

It has been a while now, at least several years. This is a Brookhaven town rule.

The town was getting screwed out of tax revenue by these '1 wall' renos. The law was changed to reflect that anything greater than 50% is considered new construction. Also, they increase your taxes slightly once a permit is opened -- this started about 10 years ago -- too many people were leaving permits open for years and years in order to avoid any tax increases.

Hmm.

Thanks OBH

I still see alot of Bungalow teardowns leaving one wall up in Rocky Point/Sound Beach.

Maybe theyre greasing the inspectors or they are doing it to avoid a variance on a substandard lot?

Welcome to...

crookhaven

[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by Crookhaven

Hmm.

Thanks OBH

I still see alot of Bungalow teardowns leaving one wall up in Rocky Point/Sound Beach.

Maybe theyre greasing the inspectors or they are doing it to avoid a variance on a substandard lot?

Welcome to...

crookhaven

Pulling down the entire structure would require a demolition permit on top of any other building permits, variances, BOH, and occasional DEC or HDAC requirements. Leaving a wall up, despite putting it into the new construction category, eliminates the need for the demolition permit.

Inspectors are assigned to certain areas within the Town; periodically the Town reassigns the inspectors to new areas in order to decrease the contact that they might have with particular builders, spec builders and less-than-scrupulous homeowners.

Not saying that the inspectors are all saints -- but the Town has been cracking down on impropriety since the fall of the Grucci-Lavalle years. Many of the old inspectors quietly opted for retirement and got out before the walls came down around them like they did for Vincent Dragone.

[Crookhaven]

Originally Posted by OhBeeHave

Pulling down the entire structure would require a demolition permit on top of any other building permits, variances, BOH, and occasional DEC or HDAC requirements. Leaving a wall up, despite putting it into the new construction category, eliminates the need for the demolition permit.

Inspectors are assigned to certain areas within the Town; periodically the Town reassigns the inspectors to new areas in order to decrease the contact that they might have with particular builders, spec builders and less-than-scrupulous homeowners.

Not saying that the inspectors are all saints -- but the Town has been cracking down on impropriety since the fall of the Grucci-Lavalle years. Many of the old inspectors quietly opted for retirement and got out before the walls came down around them like they did for Vincent Dragone.

I agree there has been some improvement with the inspectors but I have heard that people do the one wall thing to retain a favorable property line setback as well.

crooks

[Anthony314]

I have an 1100 square foot starter ranch and I might have to add a second level! Dont worry though, it's going to be cute and colorful. No McMansion and no beige crappy stucco.

[Crookhaven]

Originally Posted by Anthony314

I have an 1100 square foot starter ranch and I might have to add a second level! Dont worry though, it's going to be cute and colorful. No McMansion and no beige crappy stucco.

Say no to fucco.

crooks