Wayne --
Anyone that's ever done any additions or remodeling etc has multiple stories like this! It's the way this kind of stuff works.
Ask me about the "bridal trail" that is part of my property - that NOBODY knew about - including the city -- UNTIL I wanted to build the shed! Then somebody down at planning noticed a very faint dotted line across the back of my property and decided to look into it. Turns out - it's a "bridal trail easement" - 15' wide and running the width of the property. This can not be modified by the city - can not be given a variance - and the property can not be "disturbed" -- not even weeded! No digging it up - form a wall - and backfilling... no sir - DO NOT DISTURB.
Now -- there hasn't been a horse in the area since maybe 1942... but that doesn't matter. Doesn't matter that every neighbor - including me - has fences across it... and that the state cut a highway through what USED TO BE a horse trail... and that a 1/4 mile from me - in the way of said bridal trail - there's a 15' tall concrete wall (noise barrier for the highway).... NONE of that counts. I shalt not disturb!!
The "shed" had to be completely modified - to the point where I went from a stick framed 2250 sq foot (foot print) two story building - to a 1500 sq foot one story rectangle. BORING TO THE MAX compared to what was going to be built! But I have to say - it's still fun to go mess about in!
I call this stuff -- "the voice of small authority"... The smaller the job, the bigger the authority. Doesn't make any difference that it doesn't make sense - there is NO THINKING done at city hall. In the end - they saved me about a quarter million bucks... and screwed themselves and the city out of many years of increased property taxes (due to valuation).