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Old 08-16-2012, 12:18 PM
 
4,739 posts, read 10,439,663 times
Reputation: 4191

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The City of Huntsville declared a yard on the corner of Pratt Avenue and Grayson St to be a nuisance, based on 37 neighbor complaints and code enforcement inspections.

Quote:
...a team of city officials led by Benion and urban forester Marc Byers met Hessler in his yard to begin devising a plan for thinning out the vegetation. It figures to be a tall chore.

"We had to bend over just to get to the house," Benion said Friday. "Mr. Hessler was very courteous and cooperative. He led us through the paths and told us to watch our steps in certain places."

Benion said his office hopes to present Hessler with a landscaping plan by July 30. Hessler will then be given two weeks to clean up the property. If he does not, the city will send in a landscaping crew and bill the cost to him.
Nature or nuisance? City orders Five Points resident to tame yard he cultivated for privacy | al.com

Quote:
Madison County Circuit Court Judge Jim Smith this morning temporarily blocked the City of Huntsville from trimming an overgrown yard in Five Points.
Overgrown Five Points yard gets temporary reprieve from judge | al.com

IMO telling someone what kind of plants they can have in their yard is just wrong. I hope that Hessler prevails in court, but I'm disappointed that he even has to try.

I drive by this house almost every day - I would make different landscaping choices, but the yard is clean - no garbage, no 'yard art', no fuss. What I find infuriating is that Hessler is following guidance provided by the City itself (e.g., Green Team says "Use less water").
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Old 08-16-2012, 12:23 PM
 
28,895 posts, read 54,153,037 times
Reputation: 46680
Unless the landscaping is a public danger or presents obstacles to people such as meter readers, then government really should have no say over such things. First it's not their business. Two it's entirely subjective. I have a friend who authors articles on wildflowers, and lets her yard grow accordingly. To her, it's beautiful. To the city, it's an eyesore.

Hey, if you live in a HOA community, you signed a contract agreeing to them stating what color you can paint your shutters. But if you didn't, everybody else can just shut up about it.
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Old 08-16-2012, 12:46 PM
 
23,596 posts, read 70,402,242 times
Reputation: 49242
If he is smart, he'll try to get his property designated as a wildlife sanctuary or find some endangered species on it. The bottom line on neat yards is that it makes it easier for municipalities to increase taxes because of increased valuation. If cities could charge MORE for properties like his, crisply trimmed yards would be outlawed.
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Old 08-16-2012, 02:17 PM
 
Location: Madison, AL
1,782 posts, read 3,278,485 times
Reputation: 686
I am familiar with the yard as well. It certainly sticks out...

Personally I am not a fan of yard maintenance, but my friends and neighbors are.

This individual lives in a Nationally recognized Historic District. I presume he has lived there for sometime and his deed would predate ANY recent improvements the area has struggled to make.

I can't believe the city is even bothering him to trim it up or whatever. He should be allowed to do as he pleases with his property as he has lived there before '99 when the rejuvenation started.
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Old 08-16-2012, 02:21 PM
 
Location: Madison, AL
1,782 posts, read 3,278,485 times
Reputation: 686
Hmm, just read the first article, I have met some of the folks on the 5pts board and they are very nice and helpful.

But this is an overstep. He did move there in '99 before the values started rising meteorically.

In a lot of ways he is similar the old guy in "UP". I support him and his choices!
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Old 08-16-2012, 03:00 PM
 
4,739 posts, read 10,439,663 times
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Much of Downtown / Old Town / Five Points looked like this in the 70s - lots of hippies.
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Old 08-16-2012, 03:12 PM
 
Location: Petticoat Junction
934 posts, read 1,938,368 times
Reputation: 1523
If no HOA, then he can do as he likes IMO. Hope he wins!
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Old 08-16-2012, 07:03 PM
 
2,996 posts, read 3,578,001 times
Reputation: 1410
No one is saying clearcut the yard, just clean it up a bit, truth is it would look better and you could see the plants and it would attract more animals, termites, black widow spiders, snakes, rats, racoons, skunks etc.. As it is it's a hazard, always someone in a neighborhood that ruins it for everyone else. Wonder what he is hiding in the house. A good neighbor is considerate of the others. Since he works for WAAY wonder if this will be an "exclusive" story for them later on.
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Old 08-16-2012, 07:04 PM
 
Location: Madison, AL
1,782 posts, read 3,278,485 times
Reputation: 686
Quote:
Originally Posted by AU HSV View Post
Wonder what he is hiding in the house.
My guess is nothing.
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Old 08-16-2012, 07:30 PM
 
23,596 posts, read 70,402,242 times
Reputation: 49242
Quote:
Originally Posted by BMW Dave View Post
My guess is nothing.
Nuh uh, he is hiding freedom.
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