Would this modification need approval?

[kp11364]

Hi everyone,

I know that some things need to be passed for architectural approval, but would something like this need it?

I'm using a Lantana floor plan. What I'd like to do is create another closet with shelves (basically more storage space that would be house temperature) next to the existing closet. Basically, I'd be knocking down the wall and pushing it into the garage. I'd think that this could potentially be done in any floorplan that has some angled areas in the garage.

And also your honest opinion - is it even worth doing? I am downsizing like mad, but I still don't know if I'll be able to reduce all my closet and storage space when I move to TV.

[JMintzer]

I cannot see why it would. It's inside your home, no outside changes at all...

[stanley]

I cannot see why it would. It's inside your home, no outside changes at all...

Yep... do it.

[kathyspear]

We have moved a zillion times and each time I brought too much stuff to the new house. When we moved from PA to FL I got rid of SOOOO much stuff but I still brought way too much. I made many trips to Goodwill but wish I had made more.

My advice, FWIW: BE BRUTAL. Get rid of stuff you don't use frequently. You will be so glad you did.

kathy

[CFrance]

I'm answering the "honest opinion" part of your ask: Why not wait until you get down here and see if everything fits? You may not need to spend the money on that.

[wisbad1]

Hi everyone,

I know that some things need to be passed for architectural approval, but would something like this need it?

I'm using a Lantana floor plan. What I'd like to do is create another closet with shelves (basically more storage space that would be house temperature) next to the existing closet. Basically, I'd be knocking down the wall and pushing it into the garage. I'd think that this could potentially be done in any floorplan that has some angled areas in the garage.

And also your honest opinion - is it even worth doing? I am downsizing like mad, but I still don't know if I'll be able to reduce all my closet and storage space when I move to TV.
I turned that space in garage into a closet. Put shelves in and bi- fold doors on it. We keep small appliances and stuff in it. Saved me from busting walls. Send me a pm for more info.

[merrymini]

Losing stuff hurts but losing is the best way. You would be surprised what you can live without!

[MandoMan]

Hi everyone,

I know that some things need to be passed for architectural approval, but would something like this need it?

I'm using a Lantana floor plan. What I'd like to do is create another closet with shelves (basically more storage space that would be house temperature) next to the existing closet. Basically, I'd be knocking down the wall and pushing it into the garage. I'd think that this could potentially be done in any floorplan that has some angled areas in the garage.

And also your honest opinion - is it even worth doing? I am downsizing like mad, but I still don't know if I'll be able to reduce all my closet and storage space when I move to TV.

I have a large, extra deep closet in my foyer, and I like it a lot. However, that space in the garage would also be a good place for deep shelving for boxes of various sorts, such as Christmas decorations (most of which should probably be left behind and not moved.

If you do decide to move out the wall in the garage, there may be some wires you will need to move. Also, don’t forget that you will need 5/8” Type X fire resistant drywall on that wall to meet code. It’s only about $5 more per sheet, I think. While you don’t need ARC approval for this, you may need a building permit from the town. Be sure to insulate the wall well. Garages are often like ovens here.

[vagent711]

Changes to the inside of your house do not require ARC approval

[Tmarkwald]

Mine is the same, but I never considered doing this.

Also, on mine, the door for the air handler/furnace is right there as well so you would be blocking that access to the air handler.. Plus, there is an elevation difference of about 4 inches between there and inside the house itself.

It would be a messy job with the steel studs in there and the insulation, etc. I'm assuming steel studs, but that may be a load bearing wall since the roof over the garage is gabled.

I'd go with the previous poster's suggestion to put sliders inside the garage for that are and use the closet in the garage. Or get those large enclosed, tall cabinets to go in there.

Personally, I think it destroys the look of the foyer - plus, if you have tile in the foyer, that's another whole level of complexity.

I love to modify stuff.

I have a different suggestion - most likely, in your master walk in closet in the master bath the ceiling is really high 10' or so. You have to have a ladder to store anything up high. It would be easy to drop the ceiling to 7' and have a very large storage area there.

Just an idea.....

[msilagy]

I wish you the best of luck and think it's a good idea if it works for you. What I find interesting is the fact that you view the villages as a communist type style of living where you have no authority inside your own domain which I imagine costs a few hundred thousand dollars.
With all this control over the people during this pandemic is this what led to this type of thinking......?

[nick demis]

Building a closet in the garage, a couple hundred dollars. Moving the wall and building a closet inside, into the thousands. If you are concerned about the closet in the garage not being climate controlled, use exterior doors and cut a grill through the wall from the foyer, or if you are mechanically inclined, you could cut into the HVAC system with a small registers.

[FromNY]

Someone once said if you have to create storage areas, rent storage units,or buy things to store stuff in You have to much stuff.

[jbowdler]

If you are building a Lantana, you can make changes during the design process that can take space from the garage and use it to make a larger interior closet. We did just that and made some other modifications in laundry area. We love the result. You are welcome to come see what we did.

[Accidental1]

I wish you the best of luck and think it's a good idea if it works for you. What I find interesting is the fact that you view the villages as a communist type style of living where you have no authority inside your own domain which I imagine costs a few hundred thousand dollars.
With all this control over the people during this pandemic is this what led to this type of thinking......?

Good job! I was thinking there was no way to make this tread political...but you’ve done it.

[vintageogauge]

Have you considered going into an Ivy which I believe is a 4 bedroom Lantana? That would not only give you more closet space but and entire extra room.

[giorgio1948]

Remember the NIKE quote...Just do it?

[Spalumbos62]

I wish you the best of luck and think it's a good idea if it works for you. What I find interesting is the fact that you view the villages as a communist type style of living where you have no authority inside your own domain which I imagine costs a few hundred thousand dollars.
With all this control over the people during this pandemic is this what led to this type of thinking......?

Wow..what a stupid question.

[richs631]

Hi everyone,

I know that some things need to be passed for architectural approval, but would something like this need it?

I'm using a Lantana floor plan. What I'd like to do is create another closet with shelves (basically more storage space that would be house temperature) next to the existing closet. Basically, I'd be knocking down the wall and pushing it into the garage. I'd think that this could potentially be done in any floorplan that has some angled areas in the garage.

And also your honest opinion - is it even worth doing? I am downsizing like mad, but I still don't know if I'll be able to reduce all my closet and storage space when I move to TV.

You do not need architectural approval but you will technically need a building permit as you will be changing square footage on “living area”

[BigHoss18]

I agree with response #6 from wisbad1.

Buy unfinished pantry cabinets from Lowe’s/Home Depot and mount them in the garage. Store non-perishable items in them. We use ours for small kitchen appliances, toilet paper and paper towels, collapsible coolers, extra glasses and dishes for entertaining, etc.

Might also consider insulating your attic and installing thermostatically controlled attic fans to keep attic temp reasonable so you can store stuff that is used less often.

You have other options to consider before a messy and expensive remodel that bears little fruit.

[bruce213]

To me the question is can you afford not to if in comes to the ARC attention after or without a permit ( if needed). Unless your storing things heat sensitive garage storage should work.

[jfkilduff]

The walls between garage and living space are FIRE RESISTANT including the ceilings. It’s a must to get approvals, permits and inspections.

[Tmarkwald]

The walls between garage and living space are FIRE RESISTANT including the ceilings. It’s a must to get approvals, permits and inspections.

Was just looking at mine a few days ago. Normal drywall. Nothing special in the garage ceiling.

Who knows? Mine was built 2004 so maybe a difference since then ...

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I turned that space in garage into a closet. Put shelves in and bi- fold doors on it. We keep small appliances and stuff in it. Saved me from busting walls. Send me a pm for more info.

The OP is trying to prevent having to bust walls, by making the walls different than the original plan in the first place. Their house hasn't been built yet. They can have it designed to suit their needs - either space in the garage where they can put shelves or a cabinet, Or switch that out and make the space on the inside of the house, with doors and closet fixtures.

But no, you don't need ARC approval for that, OP.

[Carla B]

I turned that space in garage into a closet. Put shelves in and bi- fold doors on it. We keep small appliances and stuff in it. Saved me from busting walls. Send me a pm for more info.

Husband did that too to make that garage space into a closet with bi-fold doors. Very simple to do and did not involve moving any wall.
Handy place for yard chemicals, pressure washer, garbage bags, etc.

[Tmarkwald]

The OP is trying to prevent having to bust walls, by making the walls different than the original plan in the first place. Their house hasn't been built yet. They can have it designed to suit their needs - either space in the garage where they can put shelves or a cabinet, Or switch that out and make the space on the inside of the house, with doors and closet fixtures.

But no, you don't need ARC approval for that, OP.

That makes it easy! Ok, we're not talking about modifying an existing home!!!

[Joe C.]

Instead of doing all that work, why not have someone re-do your closets in the front 2 bedrooms? You can more than double your useable space with shelving and hanging areas. We did ours (All Ways Closets 352-243-2513 ) and my wife is extremely pleased.
Instead of a hanging bar across the closet with a shelf on top, each closet is designed with hanging areas front to back on both the left and right sides, with a shelf above each hanging rod, and shelving in the middle of the closet with all kinds of nooks for all her sewing/quilting and scrapbooking stuff.
Besides, if you move that wall in the foyer, will you be interfering with the truss set up?
BTW, you can re-do both closets for around $400 each.
Just a thought......

[retiredguy123]

To answer the OP's question, it's not worth doing. Just install the shelving in the garage.

[Nick B]

Hi everyone,

I know that some things need to be passed for architectural approval, but would something like this need it?

I'm using a Lantana floor plan. What I'd like to do is create another closet with shelves (basically more storage space that would be house temperature) next to the existing closet. Basically, I'd be knocking down the wall and pushing it into the garage. I'd think that this could potentially be done in any floorplan that has some angled areas in the garage.

And also your honest opinion - is it even worth doing? I am downsizing like mad, but I still don't know if I'll be able to reduce all my closet and storage space when I move to TV.
Get rid of clutter it's hard but you won't miss it

[Nick B]

I wish you the best of luck and think it's a good idea if it works for you. What I find interesting is the fact that you view the villages as a communist type style of living where you have no authority inside your own domain which I imagine costs a few hundred thousand dollars.
With all this control over the people during this pandemic is this what led to this type of thinking......?
Communist?

[Blueblaze]

Sacrifice garage space for a closet? Are you mad? Oh well... to each his own. At least your mod doesn't require permission.

I'm thinking about expanding the golf cart garage on my Lantana all the way back past the laundry room, and remove the laundry/pantry window. It would give us more pantry storage, but mostly, it would give me a REAL SHOP. It would not be visible from the street, but I guess I would still need permission since it changes the outside dimensions. And I'm afraid it would cost a fortune.

[Topspinmo]

One thing I have learned over years? Never enough garage space.:)

[DAVES]

Hi everyone,

I know that some things need to be passed for architectural approval, but would something like this need it?

I'm using a Lantana floor plan. What I'd like to do is create another closet with shelves (basically more storage space that would be house temperature) next to the existing closet. Basically, I'd be knocking down the wall and pushing it into the garage. I'd think that this could potentially be done in any floorplan that has some angled areas in the garage.

And also your honest opinion - is it even worth doing? I am downsizing like mad, but I still don't know if I'll be able to reduce all my closet and storage space when I move to TV.

I would call the villages, they are very helpful on who to call. Is it worth doing? I would think the first place to start is to discover if it can be done and the cost of doing it.

Obviously you will lose wall space. You would want to know what is behind that wall, wiring, plumbing etc. We had a basement. In the villages no one does. It would quickly be an indoor swimming pool. You do not want one if you could get one.

We had a long term plan. I sold thousands on ebay. More at 5-6 garage sales. Stuff to a local metal scrap yard. Stuff to charity and I was on a first name basis with the guy at the town dump. Moving STUFF? Money is far lighter and easier to move.

[kp11364]

LOL!!! I'm in the ebay phase right now, and the local St. Vincent De Paul box has been stuffed to overflowing on more than one occasion. Garbage has been trebled as well!

I have a basement AND an attic. I'm also thinking of using all the extra blankets as additional padding for furniture and then getting rid of them once I'm unpacked!

[kp11364]

Have you considered going into an Ivy which I believe is a 4 bedroom Lantana? That would not only give you more closet space but and entire extra room.

That would depend on the price, availability and location. An Ivy is one of the potential designs I like - my favorites so far are the Begonia and Gardenia, Iris, and Lily.

[yankygrl]

I would call the villages, they are very helpful on who to call. Is it worth doing? I would think the first place to start is to discover if it can be done and the cost of doing it.

Obviously you will lose wall space. You would want to know what is behind that wall, wiring, plumbing etc. We had a basement. In the villages no one does. It would quickly be an indoor swimming pool. You do not want one if you could get one.

We had a long term plan. I sold thousands on ebay. More at 5-6 garage sales. Stuff to a local metal scrap yard. Stuff to charity and I was on a first name basis with the guy at the town dump. Moving STUFF? Money is far lighter and easier to move.
Once you find out if you need “approval” I would contact Kim Lewis at custom home closet on 301 in Wildwood. She can design-redesign rooms add closet space etc. I have used her more then once in the 3 homes I’ve owned in TV and never been disappointed

[Kayakguy]

We have moved a zillion times and each time I brought too much stuff to the new house. When we moved from PA to FL I got rid of SOOOO much stuff but I still brought way too much. I made many trips to Goodwill but wish I had made more.

My advice, FWIW: BE BRUTAL. Get rid of stuff you don't use frequently. You will be so glad you did.

kathy
Yes! I had an estate sale to get rid of stuff before I moved here to a courtyard villa. Yet somehow after move I still wound up with boxes filling the garage to the roof plus many more in the house...

[teamC]

Congratulations! You picked TV because there is a lot to do here. There is! You will not be home as much. Be careful what you move here if you are from anywhere north. I learned the hard way. I got rid of 1/2 of my stuff , but I moved into a house 1/2 the size. I should have cut back 25% more. I am still finding things I have never used since I moved here. Bring as little family heirloom furniture as possible. Artwork looks very different in these high ceilinged homes and the lighting is also very different. These homes have a lot of windows & sliders so wall space to hang things is sparce. Since we get so much natural light in our homes, you will find yourself dusting more often. Limit the amount of small tsatskes or figurines. Other Florida findings: Most people entertain potluck style so unfortunately sit down dinners are not common. Keep that in mind when considering serving dishes, cloth napkins, placemat & tablecloths. One blanket per bedroom is all you will need. If you can, leave boots and heavy coats at a family members. (They have attics & basements up there so usually one or two boxes are not a problem). Formal wear is for cruises and weddings only. One or two suits for hubby & one or two formal dresses is more than enough. Dress everywhere is casual. I also brought way to many closed toe shoes. The less you have to deal with, the happier you will be!

[TraceyMooreRN]

Sacrifice garage space for a closet? Are you mad? Oh well... to each his own. At least your mod doesn't require permission.

I'm thinking about expanding the golf cart garage on my Lantana all the way back past the laundry room, and remove the laundry/pantry window. It would give us more pantry storage, but mostly, it would give me a REAL SHOP. It would not be visible from the street, but I guess I would still need permission since it changes the outside dimensions. And I'm afraid it would cost a fortune.

We are currently in construction with our Lantana expansion. We are busting out the back wall of the golf cart garage and going all the way to the breakfast window. Here we will have a hallway that exits to both sides- another garage entrance (new garage addition approx 12 x 28) and 4th bedroom- which will end up at the almost back end of lanai with a bathroom. The bathroom will jack/Jill from
Lanai / pool area to 4th bedroom.
We had to relocate our heating/air unit inside and of course outside. It’s a big project and a long process- roof is scheduled to be up next week. Send a pm and we would be happy for you to see...