Couple told to raze Chevy Chase home

The Washington Times ^ | 3-17-06 | Tarron Lively

[IamConservative]

Seems like there must be more to this story. Why have all these people ganged up on this family, just over seven feet too close to the road and two feet too close to a neighboring house?

More liberal inclusiveness I am sure. Unfortunately, even if the neighbors don't make an issue out of it, without the zoning variance, the house is worthless.

[JZelle]

"Why have all these people ganged up on this family"


Maybe it was the "Bush/Cheney" sticker on the back of their SUV.

[luvbach1]

If Chevy Chase owns it, definitely raze it!

[linda_22003]

I don't see any mention of that in the article. You couldn't be making it up by any chance, could you? :)

[July 4th]

I think "Mr. Law for Children" deserves a few emails...

[Albion Wilde]

It really does look too close to the street.

That's the driveway in the picture, not the street.

[JZelle]

"I don't see any mention of that in the article."

Just joshin, but it sure would make sense. A good number of these people are moving north to Frederick, and it's starting to look more and more like Monkey Co.

[linda_22003]

Obviously that's the driveway on the side, but it does appear (and not just from the photo's odd perspective) to be closer to the street than its neighbor on the right.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

With neighbors like that who needs enemies...

[untrained skeptic]

Most old houses don't meet new zoning ordinances, it's likely their neighbor's doesn't either.

I'd start making arguments that the termites that caused the damage came fro the neighbors house and demand an inspection of the house.

Start looking for other things that might be considered unsafe or dangerous.

Look for reason after reason why that neighbor should have to fix up things on their home, and then argue that there are enough changes that it should be treated as new construction.

Make them afraid of losing their own house, and their objections to zoning variances will likely disappear rather quickly.

[P-Marlowe]

If this couple were black or homosexual do you think the city council would be putting them through this hell?

I'd be willing to bet that nobody complained until they saw a Bush/Cheney bumper sticker or a Fish on their car in the driveway

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[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

This couple filed all the permits and was complying until after they had poured in a bunch of money then OOH OOH we have a problem here. Chevy Chase has gotten real strict as McMansions have been going in changing the character of the neighborhood.

[petercooper]

http://207.96.37.108/search?q=cache:-rX2WzmRhWE:http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/content/council/2006BOA/0301_min.pdf+duffy&ie=&site=my_collection&output=xml_no_dtd&client=my_collection&access=p&lr=&proxystylesheet=my_collection&oe=

[linda_22003]

Those aren't seen on too many vehicles in Bethesda/Chevy Chase, believe me. Far more likely on my side of the river, in Fairfax, McLean, or Great Falls. :)

[Designer]

"..sue the department.."

They can't. City departments and bureaucrats are a protected species.

[hummingbird]

I wonder if the seller knew this?

If the seller knew this and did not disclose this, wouldn't it be on the seller's head? When did the neighbors know this information?

[hummingbird]

They should issue a variance and let the neighbors complain.

How does that work, paul51? TIA!

[from occupied ga]

What kind of people are they?

Montgomery County Liberals - At least as despicable as New York Liberals

[Sam Cree]

"...the house was originally built seven feet too close to the street and two feet too close to the home of William Hamilton..."

I'm wondering if the house was legal when built, but the street was later widened, thus bringing it closer to the *house,* and zoning laws were also later changed. Probably the house was grandfathered as is, but when the remodeling costs exceeded fifty percent of value, then the house qualified as a new house, therefore also no longer grandfathered.

Considering that the state gave them the go ahead to demolish and they don't want to increase the building's size, they're definitely getting screwed. OTOH, if this is truly an upscale neighborhood with high demand, the property is likely still worth a pretty penny.

In any case, the limo liberals aren't showing much compassion according to the way the story's told here.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

Also, what about the title company? There should be records going back 82 years in the county courthouse. Looks like the homeowners need to do some research. Starting with a title and deed search.