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  1. J

    What happens if a city approves a deck that seems to violate fire codes

    I'm just so glad I found this forum as I could draw on all the expertise of your collective minds!
  2. J

    What happens if a city approves a deck that seems to violate fire codes

    My attorney is coming here in an hour or so to go over the details so I'll check with him. I didn't sleep last night because the stress is getting to me. The press already have the pictures of the deck as they asked me to send them some - I'm just camera shy....and scared I'll do or say...
  3. J

    What happens if a city approves a deck that seems to violate fire codes

    Good point - I would expect that they have heard about this debacle but I can check. The news media is now all over it and they want to interview my before the meeting. I'm thinking of waiting until after to see which way it comes down. I don't want to give the city any leverage against me at...
  4. J

    What happens if a city approves a deck that seems to violate fire codes

    UPDATE: At least one news station is interested. They messaged me this morning and asked for the details and the documents.
  5. J

    What happens if a city approves a deck that seems to violate fire codes

    The problem is that since the city forced me to go all the way it turns out that no additional structures can be built in the development (See Craig's first letter) and I don't have the authority to say what I want. It's all or nothing at this point. My neighbor could apply for a variance but he...
  6. J

    What happens if a city approves a deck that seems to violate fire codes

    I just hope that the deck size gets reduced - that's all I ever asked for. I'm thinking that Jeff Flake would not want people to know that he had been told about the zoning violations by me - long before he finished it - and did nothing about it. In Utah, State law says that it is the...
  7. J

    What happens if a city approves a deck that seems to violate fire codes

    I believe my brother in law (he's an attorney but not a land use attorney) is bringing a political reporter from Fox and my son's friend has said someone will be coming from Channel 4 news to the hearing. In the city emails that I paid $500 for the city officials were emailing their friends to...
  8. J

    What happens if a city approves a deck that seems to violate fire codes

    Craig Call's letters (especially the second one) are exceptional. I watched him analyze the documents for the first letter and it was amazing to watch him work - when I initially called him (in Austria!!) he said that either I was exaggerating or the city was completely incompetent. How can I...
  9. J

    What happens if a city approves a deck that seems to violate fire codes

    He's the guy that wrote the current zoning laws for the State of Utah - I think the city thought they'd stopped me when they blocked my Ombudsman Appeal but I was fortunate enough to get to know this expert. We have become friends and if nothing else comes of this crazy debacle I have got to...
  10. J

    What happens if a city approves a deck that seems to violate fire codes

    Thanks so much - now everyone can see what I've been rambling about :)
  11. J

    What happens if a city approves a deck that seems to violate fire codes

    I think it definitely should so a shake up will be needed. I remember I bought a house in Scotland and when I went to work in my back yard my neighbor came and told me that my back yard belonged to him! It turned out it was shared ground but I hadn't even thought to check. It was still titled to...
  12. J

    What happens if a city approves a deck that seems to violate fire codes

    I hope you're right and the former State Property ombudsman and my attorney agree with you. Somewhere along the line the city has decided that 35 foot high extensions to our homes covering our entire yards was the original intent but if that were to happen then this development would be...
  13. J

    What happens if a city approves a deck that seems to violate fire codes

    Oh dear - I hope you're wrong but it will be whatever it is. The land expert (former State Property ombudsman) and my attorney think the city is completely in error as their interpretation of the law means every back yard could be filled with 35 foot high buildings. That will make me move for sure!
  14. J

    What happens if a city approves a deck that seems to violate fire codes

    Interestingly, the land expert found the amended plat from 1984 which says that our development (phase 1) was operated into 17 specific lots on 17 specific parcels before the development was built or approved. The original plat map has everything on one parcel. It's certainly an interesting...
  15. J

    What happens if a city approves a deck that seems to violate fire codes

    The city is incorrect in assuming that the whole development is one lot but they need to say that to cover their mistake. They are saying that if it's not one lot then the PD was approved in error and all the houses are non compliant - the very nature of a PD overlay makes it non compliant with...
  16. J

    What happens if a city approves a deck that seems to violate fire codes

    LOL - my bad!! Thank you for your support :)
  17. J

    What happens if a city approves a deck that seems to violate fire codes

    I wasn't intending to offend you - there are plenty of good city officials who do a great job. I just have had some bad luck :(
  18. J

    What happens if a city approves a deck that seems to violate fire codes

    Tell me more... do I only get 50 words? Would my attorney do that?
  19. J

    What happens if a city approves a deck that seems to violate fire codes

    If I knew how to link the property ombudsman's report to here I would - it's a pdf
  20. J

    What happens if a city approves a deck that seems to violate fire codes

    They petitioned about 6 months later - I've chatted to Bret Fox at length about it. The deciding factor of the appeal window is the "triggering event" when the appellant has had access to the information necessary to file the appeal. In my case I was refused access to to plans until the 18th of...
  21. J

    What happens if a city approves a deck that seems to violate fire codes

    Very true - I don't want them fired per se...I just want them to be competent at there jobs and be able to admit when they made a mistake just like the rest of us have to.
  22. J

    What happens if a city approves a deck that seems to violate fire codes

    The ridiculous thing is that two of the people who caused this problem have been promoted in the last couple of months!
  23. J

    What happens if a city approves a deck that seems to violate fire codes

    The development has been here for 35 years and was found to be fully compliant with existing codes when it was approved in 1984. According to the city they have "lost" the zoning for my development which begs the question of how they could approve the deck in the first place. I challenged the...
  24. J

    What happens if a city approves a deck that seems to violate fire codes

    I actually got an invite to watch them eat dinner!! You mean run for Mayor? I'd fire the lot of them and start with a good, honest team.
  25. J

    What happens if a city approves a deck that seems to violate fire codes

    I wish I knew how to fight city hall....
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