Running in place

Has anyone ever really thought about the intricacies of going for a variance? I mean, I'm reviewing the 24 page application packet when I realize by the 12th page that I had forgotten what was required to submit from the 1st page. Not to bore ya, but - for example - I have to have 4 to 5 different documents basically stating that there are no taxes owed or liens on this property. And then I have to have every person's name that owns a property within a 200ft radius of my property in case any of them choose to object to my changing this warehouse into a residence. Sheesh..

So.. to shake that off, we're at the stage where its us vs. the city of Garfield.

I'd like to take this moment and point out a couple thangs about this little town I chose to rock the boat in. Garfield is a small town in the county of Bergen, one of the wealthiest counties of NJ. It just happens to be on the non-wealthy end of it. Not that its run-down - not at all. Its just a simple, quiet town where there aren't many standout reasons to remember driving through it. The population is mostly Italian, Polish, then Hispanic, and African Americans - in that order. Needless to say, these people work hard in this town and rarely complain. In other words, no waves are made. Its rare (if at all) to find anyone making any large expression of individuality. Houses like the one pictured below are numerous. And quite eerie if you really think about inhabiting these places. As in almost every other NJ town, there is this language of normalcy that seems to have overridden any ideas of self-expression - leaving anyone in the creative realm either desperate to change, or desparate to get the hell out while ya still can.

I chose to change.

So we're going at it with Garfield to let me renovate these buildings. After the 4th revision to the warehouse plans, we've gotten to a resolution that maximizes the living space while offering a multi-use space for renting to family or close friends, or for business ventures in the future.

Its more than likely going to change, so don't pummel it yet.

just a much needed update

so its been a while. expect it - i'm busy.

We've decided that the best way to tackle this enormous project is to split it into two projects - the warehouse, and the house. The warehouse we're going to wait on and see if we could get the variance to change from an industrial zoned building to a residential. The house we've already begun work with, but due to the levels of occupancy will be a three phase thing. Okay... it also (mostly) has to do with funding as it comes.

Since we're actually living in the house at the time, we're at the point of updating the house with the gritty repairs necessary for renovation to even be considered. For example - we upgraded the electrical system from that of an antiquated 80amps to 200amps to handle all of the modern appliances we want. Besides, my studio alone will yank about 80amps on full blast.

Electrical work is always risky and I never recommend a homeowner going at it solo. Always procure the services of a professional Electrician. However, when my Electrician isn't around, I don't just sit there and wait for him to get things done, so I've begun to run the 12/2 gauge wire up and down the house for the anticipated areas of need. I've even installed a light and upgraded a couple of outlets. You have to realize at some point that drilling 7 holes through beams in your basement doesnt take a licensed Electrician. Even more so that you know your house and could decide to modify things on the fly based on where you want wires running. Think about it - your Electrician is going to charge you for him having to drill through beams, run wires into your existing walls which are most likely plaster and lath (ugghhh..), and demo holes into your walls to snake the wire through.

Newsflash: you could do it yourself!

Get yourself a flexible Electrician who could guide you the right way and save yourself the cash. Leave the complicated wiring up to him.