Cost/Time of Subdivision?

[Ken Sanders]

I'm looking at possibly purchasing a 1 acre property in Pennsylvania with an older beat-up house on it as my next rehab. The house is located on one side of the property and it seems as though there is a strong possibility that the property can be subdivided, according to the township zoning ordinace/development standards.

Can anyone give me a ballpark of how much it costs and how long it takes to get a basic subdivision approval?

The house is a steal on its own, but I'm just trying to figure out if it's cost effective to pursue a subdivision. Again, I'm just looking for a ballpark.

[Jon Holdman]

That's like asking "how much does a car cost?" Impossible to answer. Could be quick and easy. Draw a map, survey it off, do a couple of planning and zoning hearings, pay a few grand and you're done. Could be a major battle with the neighbors, utility companies, environmental surveys, whatever.

Start by calling the planning and zoning commission and discussing the property with them. They should be able to help you both with whatever zoning regulations apply as well as what might be actually allowed without a battle.

A very specific example. In many of the older neighborhoods of Denver, developers were buying old, crummy houses that were on fairly large (for the neighborhood) lots. These are generally areas where houses are one story with a basement, and a few two story houses. The developer would scrape the old house and put up a high end duplex or triplex. Often right up to the height limit, usually 35'. This often resulted in a three story with basement house, frequently with a roof-top deck. Some very nice, very high end houses, as long as you like a tall, skinny house. It was all in complete conformance with current zoning. Neighbors were livid. Where the other houses are 100 year old brick houses, you now have a steel and glass skyscraper. Neighbors started fighting it tooth and toenail, and this whole craze has pretty much stopped.

On my own lot, I could probably request a rezoning and build 10 townhomes. Its consistent with the long range plan, and I believe the city would actually support such an effort. My neighbors would fight it tooth and toenail.