Sample Letter Opposing Zoning Variance (5 Tips)

Sample Letter Opposing Zoning Variance (5 Tips)

We've provided Sample Letter Opposing Zoning Variance, which you may edit to meet your requirements. 

You've just learn that your next-door neighbour has gone to the local zoning board for a variance to allow her to demolish that adorable little Victorian house and replace it with the massive one that would far exceed what the law allows her to construct by right. 

What are your options for putting an end to it? Would you like to share? 

Sample letter opposing zoning variance

Dear Council,

I'm writing to voice my strong objection to 900-577, the proposed rezoning of Harney and Lolo's northwest quarter. 

While the local community may not be able to prevent development, which would be detrimental to the area in and of itself, nearly all residents in the Jowai neighbourhoods are opposed to the addition of multi-family housing, which would cause traffic and safety issues, exacerbate overcrowding in schools, destroy local wildlife habitat, and potentially lower property values in the existing community.

Pedestrian safety and traffic congestion are key issues. Cars jams already stretch the distance between Butler Blvd deceleration lanes and the Jowai/Sutton Drive crossroads north of Butler Blvd, and the intersection is frequently stopped by traffic turning onto Hodges toward Butler Blvd during peak hour. 

According to the PUD lawyer, the current PUD will exacerbate traffic congestion more than the new PUD. While traffic will be reduced on average, it will disproportionately increase during morning and evening peak hours, producing traffic congestion in the current four Jowai communities. 

Because pupils walk to school in the mornings, the traffic congestion during morning rush hour will have a severe influence on child safety.

In general, traffic in the region is increasing, and high traffic is already prevalent between Butler Blvd and Beach Blvd at times, which may not have been expected during the previous rezoning decision.

The council should not authorise multi-family residences that would cause school concurrency to fail for this proposal and/or other approved proposals since schools in the region are already overcrowded.

There have been wildlife sightings in the region, and any construction will devastate their habitat.

Any future development of the site should take into account the long-term effects on nearby animal habitats. 

A speaker at the planning commission hearing stated that the proposed planning area contains multiple endangered species that should be researched by the competent authorities before construction is approved.

If multi-family apartments or condominiums are erected, property values in the vicinity are likely to decline. Multifamily housing is out of place in the community.

Only about 75 notifications were mailed, which was disappointing. There was no indication of where the notices were distributed, but I presume none were given to our Riverbrook at the Jowai area.

I strongly encourage you to vote against the proposed rezoning, and I know that many of my neighbours share my concerns, based on recent meetings and talks with them.

Thank you for your dedication to our communities and your continuous support.

Thank you,

Read:— How To Write An Intervention Letter (4 Samples)

Best arguments against zoning variance

Before I go into the tips, I should clarify that they are intended for do-it-yourselves only. These pointers are for you if that's the case. 

However, there is a tip that is the mother of all tips that comes before the others. It is recommended that the application and presentation be handled by a zoning attorney, architect, or land use engineer. 

Local experts have come before the Board countless times and will have a thorough understanding of the rules. Furthermore, they may be familiar with the Board and thus have an advantage over you.

As a result, I have 5 recommendations for anybody seeking a zoning variance:

1. Prepare yourself.

Prepare your strategy, do reconnaissance, and put together a solid pre-game plan. Before the hearing, form alliances and perform any "horse dealing." 

I'm not talking about bribes here...just a friendly exchange. If your neighbours are unable to come in person, request that they submit a letter in support of your application. 

Make recommendations for letter language. Attend a public hearing before your own to have a sense of what to expect and to get a sense of the atmosphere and the level of formality. 

Should you dress professionally? Or simply casual attire? Model your outfits after what you saw at the previous hearing. 

Take note of how people speak to the Board. Examine how applicants submit their demands and see whether there is any link to the judgments made.

2. Gratitude should be expressed.

Be honestly appreciative and convey that gratitude when you stand before the Board to submit your case. Do it before you finish your presentation so that your thanks are shown regardless of whether they act in your favour. 

Recognize that you are requesting an exemption in your case due to your difficulty, and express thanks that you have a procedure to follow. 

You might even express gratitude to the Commissioners for their efforts on behalf of you and the community. 

If you're going to do anything, don't go overboard. You should be OK if you feel it.

If, on the other hand, you don't truly feel that way and aren't a good actor, then just say thank you... They did, after all, give up their own time to hear your case.

3. Hardship Presentation

This is, obviously, the most important tip for winning a variance. However, as previously said, hardship is a very limited concept. 

It must be based on your property parcel's distinct, restricting qualities. A zoning hardship is not based on personal circumstances, contrary to common belief. 

If you can't think of true hardship, but you have a strong desire and a pressing need to change your house in a specific manner despite the lack of one, and you persist in attempting to win one, my first piece of advice is to be very careful how you interpret that very narrowly defined phrase.

Show some explanation that isn't based on apparent no-nos like financial effect, lower land value, mother-in-need law's for a place to live, etc., and present something that Board members may sign without looking to be abdicating their responsibilities.

4. Work on your discussion.

Practice your argument so you can convey it with humility and without ego or arrogance. You want to be powerful, not antagonistic. 

When you stand up to speak, be yourself, whether you're speaking on the spot or repeating a prepared message word for word. 

In any case, write down and research the main points of your argument so that you don't forget anything when you're in front of the Board and can present your speech with confidence. 

You could even want to have a friend play devil's advocate with you in a fake hearing to assist you to get into the right mindset for answering questions.

The more pointed and vexing the pretend questions, the more prepared you'll be for any tricky questions at your actual hearing, so enlist a partner who won't hold back!

5. Respectful

Respect each other. To the Board, to your neighbours (both for and against your application), to the ZEO (Zoning Enforcement Officer), to the public at the hearing, and above all, to the Board's responsibilities by knowing what the Board's role is. 

It is not to hinder your dream home addition by wielding influence over you, so refrain from doing so. Understand the entire waiver process and where everyone plays within it. 

Knowing this and exhibiting it in your interactions, exchanges, and presentations is a smart first step toward polite engagement.

Being on promptly, speaking concerning the Board, and generally checking any potentially undesirable conduct at the door are all ways to demonstrate respect.

Read:- Tips for the College Students to Write Scholarship Letter!

Conclusion

Finally, none of these suggestions is revolutionary. The majority of them are founded on socialisation concepts that we all learn in elementary school.

But it is, in fact, the most important aspect of this situation. Unless you have some form of authority to wield or a slam-dunk hardship that is indisputable on its face, you are presenting your request to rational individuals, who may (or may not) disregard reason in your favour if your hardship is technically genuine but your request is benign and cannot be considered greedy. 

A good-natured, pleasant, and courteous demeanour may convince the Board members to view things your way.

The quality of your interactions with the people who make up the Board will almost certainly have contributed to a good outcome.

Best wishes with your application and preparation!

Related posts:— 

1. Legal Opinion Letter Sample (Ultimate Guide)
2. Preservation Letter Sample (That Really Work)
3. [3 Samples] Letter To Creditors After Death No Estate. 
4. Personal Expungement Letter Sample (Complete Guide)