11 Comments

  1. Scott

    You go Toni! It is up to us to take matters into our own hands, become knowledgeable, and take a stand for what is right. Property value is REAL $$ 🙂 Not living inside city limits, we had to rely on HOA neighborhood restrictions to help control these types of things.

    • admin

      Actually, that’s unfortunate. But, you’ve brought up another great point regarding cities and towns and their lack of response regarding sheer violations. There is, currently, some discussion in this City that the downtown area become some sort of “HOA” specifically for the downtown area alone. Someone mentioned something about curbing blight, and the “peer pressure and fees” would help to minimize “these things” or they’ll have the ability to “take away their property.” WHAT?!!! Yes, I actually heard someone say that when I had heard about this possibility a while ago, but I don’t know what’s going on right now with this “idea.” Sometimes I wonder what country this is…

      In regard to you being in an HOA to “help control these types of things,” like the possibility mentioned above, that whole scenario is just not right. You pay taxes! If not to the City, then you pay something to someone, I’m sure! If this isn’t taxation without representation, I don’t know what is! …This is just unbelievable.

      Although you have every right to live in an HOA for whatever reason, if it’s only for the reason to curb issues like those presented, I wouldn’t do it. I’d rather fight…as you probably know by now.

      Thank you for your comments – I have another idea for my next article! 🙂

  2. Penelope

    It seems as though a lot of this is going on in the city. It is crucial that it is stopped. The valuation of our homes are going down and people should stay vigilant as to what their neighbors are doing.

    • admin

      Hi – Yes, I agree! And, as mentioned in another reply, I do hope that other residents do come forward and come forward more often. They pay taxes, and the City needs to protect the property values of its taxpaying residents! Thank you for your comment, it is much appreciated!

  3. Some people have absolutely no regard for others – they must think that just because they own a certain property they can do anything they want – wrong!!!

    There are rules for a reason!

    I’m so glad you were successful in stopping it. Tell me though, did they have to put the “yard” back to it’s somewhat original condition, and clean up what they had already unlawfully done?

    • admin

      Hi Joanne,
      Well, this an “ongoing” issue. That meeting that I just wrote about happened just last night. I came home, and I was thinking …”hmmm, what am I going to post today…” And, then it hit me! Duh! Why not just write about what just occurred? I just had this experience, it was fresh in my mind, and I had the pictures! lol… It was a “no brainer!”

      According to the local ordinance, those who violate city ordinances, and, in this case, have poured cement, etc., they will be, or should be, officially notified to remove such materials. Seeing that this just happened, and it’s been on “ongoing issue” for seven years, I do remain skeptical as to how much of this will actually be ripped up and restored.

      It’s most unfortunate that the City has even allowed this issue to get this far. This house has been in our family for over 70 years. It is my mother’s house, and my grandparent’s home before that. My mom was raised here. I was raised nearby and now live here as well. My family emigrated from Greece, and they were so very grateful about being in America, they never questioned local city ordinances. My grandparents never would have dreamed of disrespecting their property or the neighboring homes to this extent. In fact, my grandmother was one of those women who used to sweep the damn sidewalks!

      There is no excuse for this, and there’s certainly no excuse for the City to continue to look the other way. Although we have complained for over seven years now, maybe things will change for the better. With the zoning meetings now being made available via the local cable channel, it is my hope to raise awareness, and to encourage other City residents to step forward and demand that the City do it’s damn job.

      Thank you for your comments. I will try to remember to post any changes regarding this issue in the future.
      ~MMH

  4. Cory

    Wow I never knew that would effect property value. I’m ignorant in that topic. Very informative and well written. Thank you for this!

  5. Daniella

    Hi
    Great article and very helpful.
    You are right , you need to be aware of the neigborths and really pay attention to this. I am saying this by experience that had when I bought my house . It was to late after bying it, if you know what I mean.
    Thank you

    • admin

      Thank you Daniella – And, you bring up another important point! Buyers, or their agents, should always look into neighboring properties to see about any permitting issues, or variance requests! Excellent Point! …I feel another post coming along…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *