Re: RPA Building Waivers--Anyone ever done it?
Posted by:
7mxyh
()
Date: December 08, 2018 08:06AM
There are very specific guidelines to follow when the entire lot is within the RPA. Keep it less than 10,000 sf of disturbed area exclusive of the driveway and septic and you will only have to follow the standard RPA Waiver/WQIA process then submit a grading plan.
If you exceed that 10,000 sf disturbed area figure or encroach into the 50' seaward of the RPA, then you will need to go in front of the RPA Exception Committee. Try to avoid that, it's a pain in the ass and takes a lot longer.
Other option is to hire someone to re-delineate the RPA, maybe it isn't as bad as the County has it mapped. Call TNT Environmental and talk to them about it. I don't work for them, but my office does a few projects a year with their help. Avoid Wetland Studies, they suck. Also, avoid the larger civil firms, go with a small to mid-sized engineering firm. They won't try to make ALL their profit for the year on your project and you will actually be able to get someone on the phone. Go to the 1st floor of the Herrity Building and talk to the Engineer of the Day. If you aren't a total douche, they will usually give you a recommendation for a firm to go with (even though they aren't supposed to). Ask them who they work with often if they won't give you a name or two outright.
Having been in the industry for over 20 years, my advice is to do it right. The county will catch you because your neighbors are going to report any violation they see. Pay the money. If you are balking at paying the fees to do it the right way, maybe you should reconsider doing it at all.
Your problem is that a detached garage is an accessory structure and the rules are a little different. Too complicated to explain here.