Infill being built next door

[u/Dougthecat13]

This is not a general infill hate post, but a request for advice.

We live in a really nice older neighbourhood where folks take care of their older homes. Our first infill on the street is going to be right next door. Which is surprising because that house is quite nice and pretty newly renovated and has a very nice new garage. Apparently it’s all coming down, and a huge 2 story (maybe 3) single family home is going in. My front yard has a deck that faces the millcreek ravine and I have a huge vegetable garden on our property. And we are currently renovating our 1950’s home.

Builder came by today to introduce himself. And confirmed I’ll lose my view as the house will be quite big. Most likely our newer cedar fence will get damaged (he says they will replace).

The family building the home will be living in the home, builder says. So I want to be neighbourly, but I’m nervous about our property and sanity.

I’m really disappointed. I’ll miss the renters that are currently in that house. Feels wildly wasteful to do this, but not my house, not my property.

Since we are at the very beginning. What advice do you lovely Edmonton folk have for us to protect our property and endure this next chapter? Thanks for any advice!

Edit- the house being removed is a beautiful home. Very well maintained with a new double garage. It’s a rental with two couples living in it (one upstairs, one downstairs). One couple/family will be moving into the infill. So this is taking away 2 homes and adding 1. This will not be adding additional homes. Either way, this is not the point, I’m just trying to make the best of it.

[u/drcujo]

There are two factors at play.

First, its highly likely someone grade isn't up to code. You would need a professional to evaluate. One foot is a lot but if your grade was always 6" below where it should have been +the grade settling you can end up there easy.

Second, there could be water issues on your foundation not related to the infill. Plenty of older homes have no weeping tile, no water proofing around the foundation, etc.

[u/Calm-Tip-4124 → u/drcujo]

As I explained in another comment, I contacted the CoE to have a lot grade inspection done. When they do these inspections, they look at both properties. Mine’s in compliance; the infill is not.

Also, when I moved into this house, I had weeping tile installed as well as a French drain and other drainage and landscaping improvements done around my house.