ᐅ Feedback on Plot Selection

Created on: 11 May 2019 17:43
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-SCEPS-
Good evening,

I have been a silent reader for some time.

A few weeks ago, we applied for several plots in a new residential development. Unfortunately, our initial application was unsuccessful. Now we have the opportunity to apply for the remaining plots within the next few days.

Development Plan / Restrictions
Site coverage ratio: 0.4
Floor area ratio: 0.8
Number of stories: 2 full floors (an additional recessed floor is allowed)
Roof style: flat roof
Energy standard: at least KFW 55
Energy sources: photovoltaic system and air-to-water heat pump or ground-to-water heat pump

We plan to build a house of about 140-155 m² (1507-1670 sq ft) for ourselves (2 adults, 2 children). Plots larger than 500 m² (5382 sq ft) are unfortunately excluded as they would exceed our total budget.

We have reviewed the plots as follows:

F1.1:
Plot size: 18.0 x 23.7 meters (59 x 78 feet)
Building envelope: 15.0 x 12.0 meters (49 x 39 feet)
Setbacks: the typical 3 meters (10 feet) on the sides and 8.7 meters (29 feet) to the southern street
- Houses to the south are about 20 meters (66 feet) away
- Access must be from the south
- Long routes for service lines; technical room possibly located on the south side?
- Fencing still to be clarified: Front yard may only be max. 1.20 meters (4 feet) deep … is this considered a front yard?
+ Flexible positioning of the house possible
+ No direct building to the west
-/+ Adjacent public neighborhood square (with some trees and benches)

F1.2:
Plot size: 17.0 x 23.8 meters (56 x 78 feet)
Building envelope: 17.0 x 12.0 meters (56 x 39 feet)
Setbacks: the typical 3 meters (10 feet) on the sides and 8.7 meters (29 feet) to the southern street
- Houses to the south about 20 meters (66 feet) away
- Access must be from the south
- Long routes for service lines; technical room possibly on the south side?
- Fencing still to be clarified: Front yard may only be max. 1.20 meters (4 feet) deep … is this considered a front yard?

F1.3:
Plot size: 17.4 x 23.8 meters (57 x 78 feet)
Building envelope: 14.4 x 12.0 meters (47 x 39 feet)
Setbacks: the typical 3 meters (10 feet) on the sides and 8.7 meters (29 feet) to the southern street
- Houses to the south about 20 meters (66 feet) away
- Access must be from the south
- Long routes for service lines; technical room possibly on the south side?
- Fencing still to be clarified: Front yard may only be max. 1.20 meters (4 feet) deep … is this considered a front yard?
- Adjacent public parking spaces could be a potential disturbance (cars arriving/leaving, doors opening and closing)
+ Very quiet in the farthest corner of the development

F1.4:
Plot size: 14.7 x 26.8 meters (48 x 88 feet)
Building envelope: 11.7 x 12.0 meters (38 x 39 feet)
Setbacks: the typical 3 meters (10 feet)
- Houses to the south about 17 meters (56 feet) away
- Uncertain if a garage can be built on the east side outside the building envelope and directly adjacent to the street

F1.5:
Plot size: 14.0 x 26.8 meters (46 x 88 feet)
Building envelope: 14.0 x 12.0 meters (46 x 39 feet)
Setbacks: the typical 3 meters (10 feet)
- Houses to the south about 17 meters (56 feet) away

F1.6:
Plot size: 14.7 x 26.8 meters (48 x 88 feet)
Building envelope: 11.7 x 12.0 meters (38 x 39 feet)
Setbacks: the typical 3 meters (10 feet)
- Houses to the south about 17 meters (56 feet) away
+ No direct building to the west
-/+ Adjacent public neighborhood square (with some trees and benches)

F2.1:
Plot size: 15.5 x 24.0 meters (51 x 79 feet)
Building envelope: 12.5 x 13.0 meters (41 x 43 feet)
Setbacks: the typical 3 meters (10 feet)
+ Distance to the opposite house (E5) is about 33 meters (108 feet) (11 meters (36 feet) garden + 11 meters (36 feet) green strip on each side)
- A row of three townhouses with a recessed floor (balcony facing southwest) will be built at the height of E5
- Adjacent public parking spaces could be a potential disturbance (cars arriving/leaving, doors opening and closing)
- Access to the neighborhood with 23 houses

F3.2-5:
Plot size: 18.6 x 26.8 meters (61 x 88 feet)
Building envelope: 18.6 x 15.0 meters (61 x 49 feet)
Setbacks: the typical 3 meters (10 feet) plus 5 meters (16 feet) to the southern street and 6.8 meters (22 feet) to the northern property boundary
+ 11 meters (36 feet) green strip (plus a cycle path) to the north
+ Flexible positioning of the house possible
- North-facing garden
-/+ Alternatively, about 7 meters (23 feet) wide garden strips to the north, west, and south, each with a length of 26.8 meters (88 feet), plus the green strip

Maybe in the end, we will conclude that none of the remaining plots are really ideal.

Which plots would you prefer or consider less optimal?

I look forward to your feedback.

City map of a development area with colored parcels (F/E/G), cycle path, streets, and compass rose.
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-SCEPS-
12 May 2019 22:28
That’s misleading.
The hill is the excavation soil from the house on the opposite side, and a small corner on the right side has already been removed from the excavation.
However, I don’t want the area to be perfectly level all the way across.
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-SCEPS-
14 May 2019 17:09
The path in the F1 area is actually intended for utility lines, although they probably aren’t located there. This provides the option to connect the house’s main service lines from the side streets.
The idea is for the main entrance to be on the north side. But I wouldn’t park my car on the south side, walk all the way around the house or through the garage just to reach the front door. Upon inquiry, it might also be possible to place the entrance on the side or elsewhere.

Somewhat concerning for us with the upper F1 row is that the lower F1 row is only about 17 meters (south building boundary of the upper row to north building boundary of the lower row) away. For the lower F1 row, the distance to F4 would be at least 18.7 meters, and depending on the depth of the house, even 21.7–22.7 meters. On the other hand, there would be a residential street to the south instead of just a path.

Does anyone know how shared sewer costs are handled with a corner lot? Do you pay for the running meters on both sides or only for the front side?
K
kbt09
14 May 2019 18:46
Utility lines coming from the north, with the utility/technical room located in the north and the entrance on the east, definitely offer good design possibilities.

Have you already asked whether the garage can be built to the south, outside the building boundary?
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-SCEPS-
14 May 2019 19:37
kbt09 schrieb:

Have you ever asked if the garage can be built to the south outside the building window?
For which plots?
In the upper F1 row, that shouldn’t be a problem, as the 3-meter (10 feet) front yard and 12-meter (39 feet) building window should easily allow it.
In the lower row, it should also be possible since the front yard is on the north side. But what advantage would that have?
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-SCEPS-
22 May 2019 16:41
So, the plot chosen is F1.6.
-SCEPS- schrieb:

Plot size: 14.7 x 26.8 meters (48.2 x 87.9 feet)
Building envelope: 11.7 x 12.0 meters (38.4 x 39.4 feet)

The building envelope doesn’t leave much room to construct a roughly 140-155 m² (1,507-1,668 sq ft) house with 2 full floors and a flat roof.

Would you rather maximize the 8.7-meter (28.5 feet) width or the 12.0-meter (39.4 feet) depth?
G
guckuck2
22 May 2019 17:19
-SCEPS- schrieb:

Does anyone here actually know how the shared sewer costs are handled if you have a corner plot? Do you pay for the linear meters on both sides or only for the frontage?

Check your brochure/sales documents to see if the sewer costs are already included in the purchase price. However, you might still face costs later during renovation. When it comes to the water connection or its construction fee, the property boundary often plays a key role.
-SCEPS- schrieb:

Would you rather try to maximize the 8.7-meter width or the 12.0-meter depth?

I would consider the 8.7 m (28.5 ft) as fixed. You probably won’t be able to go much narrower if you want a functional floor plan.