I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I’ve found that offering too many compromise options can sometimes backfire. Historic boards tend to latch onto the most conservative choice, even if it’s not practical. I’ve had better luck presenting a single, well-researched proposal with detailed precedent images and technical specs—sort of forces a focused discussion rather than an open-ended negotiation. Sometimes less is more with these folks.
Totally get what you mean—sometimes giving them too many choices just muddies the waters. I’ve had projects where the board just defaulted to the blandest option, even when it made zero sense for the space. Your approach sounds solid. Hang in there, it’s frustrating but you’re definitely not alone.
sometimes giving them too many choices just muddies the waters
That’s been my experience too, especially with city boards or HOAs—they’ll always pick the “safe” option, even if it’s a total mismatch. When I got denied for a permit last year, I went straight back to the planning office and asked for specifics on what exactly triggered the denial. Sometimes it’s just one detail that throws them off, and if you can address that directly, you’ve got a shot at a quick resubmission.
Have you tried meeting with someone from the board or planning department in person? I’ve found face-to-face conversations cut through a lot of the vague feedback you get in writing. Also, sometimes just tweaking your proposal slightly (even if it’s mostly cosmetic) makes them feel like they’re being heard, and they’ll sign off.
Curious—did they give you any concrete reasons for the denial, or was it just generic “doesn’t fit the character of the neighborhood” type stuff? That always drives me nuts.
I actually think giving them a couple of options can work in your favor, as long as you’re strategic about it. If you make one option obviously “out there” and the other more reasonable, they tend to pick the one you actually want. Kind of like when you show clients a wild wallpaper just to make the subtle one look tame.
Sometimes it’s just one detail that throws them off, and if you can address that directly, you’ve got a shot at a quick resubmission.
Totally agree here—sometimes it’s the tiniest thing, like a window trim color or a fence height. I once had a project rejected because the mailbox was “too modern.” No joke. Sometimes you just have to play their game a little.
Not sure I buy into the “give them a wild option” approach, at least not when you’re on a tight budget. I’ve found that just sticking to what’s in the code and being as straightforward as possible saves time and money. The more options you give, the more chances for them to nitpick or drag things out. Last time I tried to get creative, it ended up costing me extra in design fees and a longer wait.
Honestly, I’d rather just ask exactly what they want changed and fix that one thing. Less back and forth, less stress. Maybe it’s different if you’re working with clients or have more wiggle room, but for most of us just trying to get a fence up or a shed built, simple is better. The mailbox thing is wild though... never thought that would be an issue.
