Building application for 4 apartments rejected, parking regulation, Hessen

Good morning, our building inquiry was recently rejected. It’s a long story and to put it briefly: the building authority is very upset with us. No exceptions are made from the development plan. Even if they are objectively reasonable and nicer. Problem: we have to provide 4 parking spaces for 4 residential units (we had 6). The development plan stipulates that these must be within 18m from the street, garages minimum 5m behind the boundary. It even states that exceptions are possible. Four of the seven immediate neighbors on this street side have their garages partially even further back! Now our plot slopes and has a large hill (-4.5 m) in the north about 25-30m from the boundary and is accessed from the SOUTH. We wanted to push a steel parking space construction over the hill and park the cars there. Only advantages: the garden to the south remains free, no cars visible from the street/sidewalk view, there are no houses behind us that could be visually disturbed, neighbors are also not disturbed because the parking deck is lower. Problem: the parking spaces are on AVERAGE 29 m behind the boundary and therefore are rejected (from an URBAN PLANNING perspective!!). Alternative: we are told to build an underground garage instead of a basement. But that is not an option for us. So the reason for the rejection is pure harassment. On Wednesday we have an appointment at the authority. The question now is whether we can also make 2 parking spaces in the front and two in the back. The statement that the parking spaces “on average” lie too far back suggests that. But if that is also a “may” possibility it will also be denied. Or we try to prove 2 parking spaces each (without garage) one behind the other. Then one would always have to move cars around. That would not be a problem for us, since as a family we are moving into the house. But theoretically strangers could also live there. The authority could say that this is not practical. Next alternative would be a parking strip on the path to the back at the property boundary for 2 cars where passage would still be possible plus 2 further parking spaces. That would all be within the 18 meters, but extremely ugly. We simply have to prove a minimum of 4 parking spaces. We also still have to check to what extent we have to keep emergency access routes clear for the fire department. Can anyone say something about this or where I can find information to read on this (2 parking spaces one behind the other / parking spaces ON AVERAGE) Sunny regards, Benjamin

Good morning, our preliminary building application was recently rejected. It’s a long story and to put it briefly: The building authority is pissed off at us. No exceptions are being made to the development plan. Even if they are objectively sensible and nicer. Problem: ...

Hello Benjamin, you actually describe the problem before the word “Problem.” Approach the building authority staff on an emotional level. Stay free of accusations. Offer a chance to save face and you have a good chance of getting your wishes approved. Listen carefully, ask for solutions, not reasons. Those who argue factually in emotional disturbances have no prospect of conflict resolution. The other ways remain open to you anyway.