Five Points Yard - Overgrown or Owner's Right? (Huntsville, Madison: real estate, house)

[E Limestone Dude]

Another reason I love living in the county. Even though there are ugly yards all-around, nobody messes with me!

[RatSnake]

This is a difficult issue.

As a homeowner, I would require for everyone to abide by the HOA rules (if there are any).
If there are no HOA rules, I think 'reasonable' efforts should be done to maintain a 'reasonably' clean yard.

By 'reasonably' clean - it should be clean enough that no one is inconvenienced, harmed (health-wise) and property values are not significantly affected.

One can create a 'natural look' yet still look aesthetically pleasing.
The entire community should nominate this homeowner for that HGTV show on Desperate Landscapes or something ... instead of pursuing all these legal proceedings.

Let's create a win-win situation here ... help the homeowner, get good free publicity for HSV as well.

[DvlsAdvc8]

Don't know the house, but 37 complaints? Damn.

[BMW Dave]

Originally Posted by DvlsAdvc8

Don't know the house, but 37 complaints? Damn.

Well that could very well be from a small number of people. I have friends who live in 5pts and while they don't like his yard, none have filed a complaint.

Does anyone know if this is in fact 37 DIFFERENT people? Could just be the 3-5 people from the board, just filing the same complaint.

[Reactionary]

Homeowner James Hessler says:

"I think I have some right to privacy and to use my property as I see fit".

"I decided to create a private, low maintenance, environmentally friendly, wooded lot. I've planted wildflowers, ground covers, trees and shrubs to that end".

The City says:

The abatement document calls it "virtually neglected, unmaintained and undisturbed" and "injurious to general public health." City officials say the thick brush even "provides a breeding ground for vermin."

Five Points feuding about overgrown yard - WAAYTV.com- Huntsville, Alabama Television - News Weather Sports

Irony Alert! An ad for the City of Huntsville Green Team appears on the news story page...

[lindy112]

I wish the city would put together a landscaping plan for me!

[AU HSV]

I've been by the house, you can barely see it, Wouldn't take much though to make it presentable, no telling what damage is being done to the structure. In any case the neighbors really are having to put up with an eyesore. Monte Sano State Park doesn't have that much rampant growth. He has Chinese Privet which is an invasive species and chokes out all native plants, a real problem in this area.

[RatSnake]

Just call up HGTV and nominate him for 'Desperate Landscapes' or some other show.

This would be good publicity for the city and his neighbors - instead of this very litigious environment.
This would be a win-win for everyone.

[deesonic]

I believe when you live in a community in an incorporated city you must conform to some standard that will not impinge on the rights of others. This guys property is clearly a hazard (workers had to duck under trees and the owner even told them to watch their step in certain places). It damages the property values of neighbors. I know when I house hunt, I don't just look at the house I am looking to buy. I take in the neighborhood and nature infested houses are a deterrent. The city's standards have been in place well before 1999, so he's not grandfathered in any way. I grew up in the city of Huntsville and can remember being warned to cut our grass a time or two. I can remember my dad being told to remove an old camper shell off the back porch or be fined. And yeah, I'm one of those folks who live in the county now and do what I please. There are some shamefully ugly houses within a mile of me, but I know I must accept that out here. Conversely, I would expect myself and neighbors to live by a set of standards if I were to move back into an incorporated town.

Now, I sense there is an ulterior motive in this discussion and I love freedom as much as the next guy. But I don't think we all necessarily have the freedom or right to live like slobs to the detriment of society at large or even to your closest neighbors. Freedom doesn't mean "screw all, I do what I want." The idea that he is going for some woodland feel is utter bs. I pulled that house up on Google Earth and bottom line is dude needs to clean that Boo Radley mess up! Maybe his neighbors would even pitch in if he'd make half an effort. So I'm not as forgiving as most of you and I live in the county where I do what the heck I want!

[Reactionary]

deesonic - no ulterior motive here. I know (and like) people on both sides of this argument. I've known Hessler and his family for a long time and I used to work with Judy Perszyk's husband.

Hessler is a born and bred and raised hippie. Funny side note - one of his siblings rebelled as a teenager and became a Young Republican.

There are a couple of patches of grass that are kept short. There is no clutter in the yard. He parks behind his house on the alley and his cars run. His trees / shrubs don't appear to interfer with power lines (except for the line into his house). The sidewalk is kept fairly clear of greenery (it's no worse than many and better than some in the City).

On the other hand, there is a fire hydrant that is overgrown - Hessler should clear (or be forced to clear) the fire hydrant. The house is on a corner - the City should ensure that the corner is clear so drivers can see oncoming traffic. There are too many invasive species - I'm surprised Hessler's Mom hasn't made him clear those out.

IMO you're right about the woodland feel bs - the guy is just kinda lazy and doesn't like mowing. But then, there are garden experts who advise us to minimize our lawns and plant trees / shrubs / beds instead.

Um, Boo Radley is a hero, although a flawed hero...