Been there, zoning surprises are the worst... had a duplex project turn into a very expensive single-family home overnight because of zoning fine print. You're smart to lean on local knowledge—neighbors usually know more than the city website anyway. Hang in there, it gets easier.
Had something similar happen with a garage conversion... thought I'd checked every box, but zoning threw me a curveball about setbacks. Ended up shaving off footage and redesigning the whole thing—felt like starting from square one. You're definitely not alone in this frustration. Local folks can give you insights you'd never find online, but sometimes even they get blindsided. It's tough now, but once you're past the permit hurdle, things usually smooth out. Hang tight... you'll get there.
"Local folks can give you insights you'd never find online, but sometimes even they get blindsided."
True, but I'd argue that zoning offices aren't always as unpredictable as they seem. I've found that scheduling a preliminary meeting with zoning officials beforehand can clarify potential setbacks—saved me headaches more than once.
Yeah, zoning offices can be predictable...until they're not. Ever had one of those meetings where you walk in confident and leave scratching your head? Still, you're right—early chats usually save a ton of trouble down the road.
Yeah, zoning meetings can definitely throw curveballs. Had a similar experience last year—went in with detailed plans, sustainability goals clearly outlined, and still got blindsided by some obscure setback rule. Took a step back, revisited their feedback point-by-point, and scheduled a follow-up meeting. Turned out they appreciated the effort to address their concerns directly. You're spot-on about early conversations though; even when they don't go smoothly, they usually clarify what needs tweaking. Hang in there...sounds like you're on the right track.
