Page 19 - SE Annual 2018.indd

Stonecrest Annual 2018 Page 19 / 38

Things to Consider
When Building Your
New Home

- Chris Blake, Blakestyle Design & Drafting, Brussels, Ontario

Building your new home can be an exciting venture but there is a lot of planning
that Homeowners don’t consider before they start the design process of their
home. Here is what you need to think about.

When planning a residential project there are cultural buildings as well as your project and
many things to consider. Before you design the the pre-existing farm buildings on your own
home of your dreams it is important to gather property. Again, take note about whether or not
pertinent information to avoid disappointment! your lot is in a conservation authority regulated
area… this could impact the size of your build-
Before you get started, ask questions about ing footprint.
lot zoning (or if any there is any special zoning
applied to your property), building setbacks Ask questions about the septic system, will you
and any easements. Is the property regulated need something new? Is there a system that al-
by the conservation authority? These all play a ready exists? You may need to update or replace
factor on where you may actually build on your depending on what’s there, or what the munic-
property. The size of your building lot does not ipality has on file. This usually comes into play
necessarily reflect the size of your building. In more with additions. Consider future projects
some cases it’s not enough to take your Realtor’s such as decks or additions, you will need to have
word for it… do your research and make the call clearance of tanks and the existing septic bed.
to your local municipality yourself.
If you are building in an urban area you will need
If you’re building on a rural property you need to look into the zoning, building setbacks, ease-
to consider the minimum distance separation ments, etc. The municipality will require a site
between your project and neighbouring agri- plan which will usually include the lot drainage