Monday, April 14, 2008

Waiting...

Waiting for a building permit is akin to what a child feels the night before Christmas morning. I've been through the process dozens of times for clients, but when it's your own project it becomes a different animal altogether. The drawings had a preliminary review during the rezoning process, so it should be a relatively quick process for the City to complete their final reviews and issue the permit. Still, waiting is the tough part. I'll be glad when this process is over.

Packing up posessions has already begun. I've cleaned out the garage to be filled with boxes and furniture. I think there may be room for the cabinets and appliances that I'm saving to put in the rental apartment. If I'm lucky, I'll be able to get away with not renting any storage.

There won't be a heck of a lot to write about until the construction starts. In the meantime, here is a drawing of what the streetside elevation will look like.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

And so it begins...

After a seemingly endless amount of work and time, we have received fourth and final reading approving our rezoning application to redevelop our property in Central Lonsdale. The little cottage pictured will be demolished and replaced with a modern, three-unit development. One unit will house my parents, one will be for me and my two dogs and the third will be rented out.












The current house is aproximately 1,000 square feet in size on one floor. The new devlopment will be just over 2700 square feet, not including the basement. This will provide a floor space ratio (FSR) of 0.66. Under the Official Community Plan (OCP), Level 4 Medium Density is permitted for the entire block and allows an FSR of up to 1.0.

The building permit has been applied for and an early May construction start is anticipated. Preparing for demolition is my main focus at the moment. I'm potting up all of my perennials, shrubs and vines in preparation and will set them aside for planting when construction is complete.












During construction I'll be living in my 1972 Airstream Tradewind. Me and two Labrador retrievers in a 25 foot trailer for close to a year should be an interesting experience and will no doubt become a frequent source of fodder for this blog.