When we purchased our home over 30 years ago it was always a plan to install a swimming pool. Efiwym and I probably had different visions and in retrospect, I should have considered hers.
I would have preferred an inground pool, but that would be cost-prohibitive. My idea was to install the above ground pool about 2 feet underground with a wood deck surrounding the pool. A wood deck would extend from our family room patio doors and connect with the pool deck.
Efiwym and I with our 4 children went to the local pool store to get some ideas and to select our pool. We roamed the store and looked at all the pools filled with water. Ranging in all different sizes, with mostly being round, I found an oval pool that would work in our backyard. It was a 16-foot by 32-foot, 4-foot deep pool. The pool was larger in size than an 18-foot pool I was considering, and it would fit the backyard better.
After talking with the salesman and getting assurances that we could put the pool partially underground, we put our money down and walked out of the store excited about our purchase. We would need to come back and pick up the pool at a later date. We did not have any room in our 4-door compact car with all six of us.
My work just started. I needed to draw up the plans for the pool and deck. I needed to contact an excavator to dig the hole and I needed to get permits. Yes, I got permits. You cannot install a large pool in your backyard and not expect someone to call city hall.
I spent many hours in the backyard measuring and staking out the pool and deck. Once I figured out the layout, I drew up the plans for the permits and excavator. Keep in mind, we still did not have any landscaping completed for this house. We purchased it brand new sans grass. So, in the process I was considering the overall landscaping plan. I was pretty excited about getting the pool started.
I submitted the plans to the city inspector, and it was rejected. What?? As it was explained to me, the pool deck was too deep in the back and violated the building setback requirements. Huh?? Remember that I had a deck coming from our house and connected to the pool deck. The whole structure is considered one unit and is set too far back or too close to the back-lot line. I would need to go in front of the planning commission and request a setback variance. Nope, I was not going that route. Meetings, time delays, and objections from my neighbors were only going to delay this project.
However, the inspector did suggest a concrete patio instead. The pool deck would now be considered a separate structure and would not need a setback variance. That would be the solution. I would just have a 10-foot deep concrete patio installed.
I made the changes to the plans and resubmitted them to the city inspector. They were officially approved so I could start the project.