City of Brookhaven City Manager's Office assigned this issue to City of Brookhaven Code Compliance

Correct map location

At least all of those shrubs blocks the view of all the crap in the front and side yards!

If you took a moment to look at their yard, you'd see that the plants are amazing - the pillars are a little weird and the fountain may be a little oversized but the flowers are stunning. Their gardener does a great job keeping in season blooming flowers planted and faded blossoms pruned, I talk to him whenever I see him on my way home from the park. You obviously do not know this family or you'd understand their love of trees and plants. Not sure how you figure the trees are blocking the cross traffic, can't turn left on red and can't walk on don't walk light. I use this crosswalk everyday and my only problem are the idiots that drive onto the sidewalk to go around cars waiting to turn. The fire hydrant should be uncovered, even though it is clearly visible in the photo you provided because it may be overlooked in an emergency. As far as the bricks, they followed their property line inside the existing sidewalk. Yes, the city lays claim to a certain amount of our front yards but we homeowners are expected to maintain the property by mowing, trimming, planting flowers, shrubs, ,trees etc..

I checked the fire hydrant yesterday - it is not buried - there are two plants beside it can be easily relocated. It is visible when driving by as well as walking past it. I will mention it to their yard guy the next time I see him.

I'm really lit up about this - they are the nicest family you could ever meet. what is wrong with you people in brookhaven - too much concrete in this yard - too much greenery in that yard - this person is flying flags and their concrete containers are touching the sidewalk - this guy has a van parked in his driveway that is ugly - goodness - not a very neighborly group of folks in this town.

Jimmie, I also appreciate their landscaping and the work they put into it. Just because it is different and may not be their choice in plants I don’t understand complaining about it. These want-a-bees that get all in your business over trivial issues really detract from the appeal of the area. Just look at the number of votes this issue had received.

You know, it was our district one city council person that disliked what these people were doing to their own property and made the first complaint about this yard last year via SCF to code enforcement. Disappointingly, there were several others that piled on with her in agreement with their own comments. This tells you about the people living in this neighborhood and one of our city council members.

Rick - it is a shame our own council person would do that - I'll be sure and let them know.

Being the “nicest family you could ever meet” does not exempt a homeowner from abiding by the City’s code. Either their hardscape and plants are in the right of way or they are not. The City or County Fire Department can determine if the homeowner is encroaching or not. Facts dictate not how nice they are or what type of plants they enjoy.
Is this the same nice family that also had their rear construction stopped for not having a building permit? Should they be given special building privileges as well?

And yes, the community as a whole is harmed when entire front lawns are paved, excessive numbers of commercial vans are parked on residential property, and planters are on sidewalks which are designed for walkers, joggers, bikers and people in wheelchairs.

If one doesn't wish to live by the City Code they should file for a variance or move to a community that has Ordinances they can live by.

The discussion is not about what they were building onto the back of their house - stay on track with the issue of their plants being in the right of way.

A person has to be pretty fat or have a super wide stroller/wheelchair if they cannot get by this yard.

The plants and trees are not in the right of way - they are contained within their yard - the only true problem is they planted 2-4 plants too close to the fire hydrant.

If you think this yard hurts our neighborhood - look up and down all of our streets - there are LOTS of grass, plants, trees, flowers, roses, etc. planted up to the sidewalk edge, including my yard - I have plants around my mailbox, in the strip between the street and sidewalk and my trees canopy 8 feet over the sidewalk. Should they all be cut down - what a major hit our neighborhood would take and how barren it would be.

As previously stated, the "city" has a right to take a certain amount of our yards but we are fully expected to maintain it. How about we all stop doing that, rake it all clean and pour concrete or dump gravel - it's the city's property - let them take care of it. I've thought about doing that many times over the years.

In my opinion, it seems that you are basing your issue based on what they were trying to do in their backyard which has already been handled because I cannot fathom why someone is so concerned about a brick touching the sidewalk.

As far as everyone being harmed - what happens when the city allows the clear cutting of all trees - incuding specimen trees, grass, shrubs, flowers? That is a huge hit to our community - I'd be more concerned about that in the big scheme of things.

Regardless, I will let their gardener know about the bricks and the plants hiding the fire hydrant the next time I see them.

Can you insert a link specific to residential landscaping - I could not find anything on the City of Brookhaven site that specifically discusses what to do when I want to make changes to my yard - plant trees, shrubs, flowers, etc..

This property is a mess, with what appears to be multiple code violations.

Has any permits been applied for or are these so called improvements being done Illegally?

I say send in a county work crew and remove all the vegetation & bricks surrounding the public's fire hydrant and light pole---- paid for with taxpayers dollars.

Sure do that, tear it all out - go across the street to the two of the three corners and do the same, there is vegetation, bricks and trees by the light poles, then head up and down the street in every neighborhood and do the same. Apparently you do not pay attention to our corners or you'd know that our neighborhoods were established long ago and many yards were here long before the light poles.
If you are referring to building that was going on attached to the back of the house - stay on point - that was stopped long ago - certainally you already know that, so we do not know what improvements they were going to make.
This is about their bricks being barely an inch onto the sidewalk and a few plants around the fire hydrant which is clearly visible and not covered in dirt - I am going by there Thursday on my way to the park, I will let them know the hydrant needs the plants and bricks removed from around it because the fire department may not see it in the dark and it should be kept clearly visible - a really easy task to accomplish. I did laugh at the send in the COUNTY statement - remember we are not the county anymore. We are the City of Brookhaven - I can't imagine them just walking in to someone's yard and start ripping out landscaping, that would be an awful thing to do.

I believe if the fire hydrant area needed to be cleared that would still be under the Dekalb Fire Department responsibility, however that could be a wrong assumption.

We can let the municipalities work with the homeowner to get in compliance.

Reports like this are a waste of time and money. Depending on the issue, it's a loss of freedom. As with each new city created, the community begins to complain/report petty problems and reporting their neighbors like "tattle tells" with smartphones.

Well said Ian! This is just terrible. There is no code violation here whatsoever and there is no way those flowers and small plants are going to hinder the fire department. People like Yankee have nothing better to do but point finger. Look at SCF and you will see so many "Yankee" complaints. Its terrible. Jim Eyre was the same way. Yankee, why dont you post your address and we can all come over there and complain about your property?

1. Shrubs are not illegal in right of ways. Nor is grass.

2. Landscape plans are not required in this instance

3. Flowers can't hurt a fire hydrant

4. This is stupid complaint and a complete waste of money for the city to investigate

Looks pretty to me. At least they keep their yard up. Plenty over here that do not. Just sayin.

Glad to know I am not the only one that thinks this a ridiculous and time wasting report.

Everyone needs to check out what this "yankee" has been up to on this site. It's scary. If I ever catch him taking pictures on my property or of my family I'm calling the police.

Brookhaven it's been since 7-17-2014 what is the resolve?

Yankee,

There is clearly no violation here. I think most reasonable people can see that, including Brookhaven. It is not against code to landscape around a hydrant or against a sidewalk. Do you have nothing better to do than drive around and take pictures of possible violations? Maybe you get some sort of alternative hobby.

Barb (Guest)

Your are wrong :( like your buddies Jimmie & Vince :)

Yankee (online bully),

If we are so wrong then why has nothing been done? The point of this website is not to be an online bully, to be anoymously mean to neighbors who try their best to improve their landscape, hound the city/waste our tax dollars, or to make up codes that dont exist. I went back and looked at your complaints and the frequency and it really is crazy the amount of time and energy you spend on this stuff. Taking pictures of children on a golf carts, grossly over exaggerating fence heights, making up erosion control issues, yelling about vans in a driveway. Is this really your life? Really? You have nothing better to do? Go back through this chain and read what people think of you, your complaints, your attitude and your behavior. Then remember that you reap what you sow.

High 5 Barb!

Yankee - maybe you need some buddies - I think you are lonely.

Our yards were established LONG before we became a city - you may not be aware but we are fully expected to maintain any right of ways - free of charge. All up and down Ashford Dunwoody, from 285 to Peachtree Industrial Blvd, there are multiple variations of landscaping on both sides of the road. What do you expect to happen - all of it ripped out because we are a city now?

I am concerned to see that you have allegedly taken pictures of children, that is scary on so many levels.

Barb and Jimmie,

I hope you don't crash into the "children driving the golf carts" in the dark with out headlights.

You could be in the next "children " pictures you see.

Get a life and obey the laws of the land. If you don't like the laws change them---YOU don't get to pick n' choose.

Oh by the way don't complain when you get a ticket for traffic violations now that we are a City--you should obey those laws also.

High 5 that or just stroke each other........

I think thats enough Yankee. This is a site for reporting problems, not making vastly inappropriate comments. I have spoken to City of Brookhaven Code Enforcement and asked them to remove you from this site. I have also contacted my neighbor whose home and children you were posting pictures of and made them aware of your actions on this site. Odds are the police are now going to be involved. I think the best thing you can do is just stay off of SCF.

Yankee - I will not be receiving traffic violations because I am the slow-poke actually adhering to the speed limit.

If this is so important to you, take the time to go knock on the door of this home and inform the family of what you believe is wrong instead of posting rude things. There is nothing wrong with being neighborly.

Leaving the established landscaping in place is not picking and choosing laws to adhere to.
Again - can you direct me to the document that states how my yard should be landscaped so I know what is expected from the City of Brookhaven now that we are under their rule?

As for the kids on the golf cart with no lights - why didn't you call the police on the spot if you felt the children were in danger or breaking the law? That would have been the responsible thing for you to do.

Now - on to real problems - loaded down 53 foot tanker trucks speeding thru two school zones, the YMCA crosswalk area and Blackburn Park putting everyone in danger. Dump trucks screaming down the road with full uncovered loads - loaded down CAR CARRIERS cutting our neighborhoods to take shortcuts.

Hopefully your IP will get blocked.

Barb and Jimmie,

Please add the GBI, FBI, CIA, TSA and Homeland Security to your list of agency's to report me to---Oh don't forget the CDC.

In the mean time tell your favorite homeowner (who has been shut down for major construction without a permit) to clear away their pretty vegetation form engulfing and covering up the county fire hydrant the community depends upon.

Jimmie bye the way your posted satellite picture is about 5 years old when the hydrant was not obstructed. Now today as my picture shows it is about 95% covered.

I'm not reporting you to anyone as I see no need. The agencies you listed would not be interested as they have more important issues to deal with.

Your photo is now outdated as well, flowers are spent for the season.

Again, if this is such an issue with you, stop being a coward by hiding behind your camera and this website, talk to your neighbors if you feel they are doing something wrong or their children are in danger or have placed others in danger. If you see a yard overgrown and you know the person, would you take a picture and post it on this site or would you knock on the door to make sure they are ok?

Let it go J. He is never going to get it. Some people are just bullies and or lunatics, end of story. He can't even provide the law or code that is in violation. At this his crazy rants have been entertaining.

SeeClickFix service request audit initiated. Issue ID 1190587 still in ACKNOWLEDGED status. Submitted request to Code Compliance to provide status update.

All foliage has been pulled from the flower bed - only thing left are the trees - the hydrant is clearly visible.

Any updates on this? It's been 4 years since the last comment. Attaching Sep 2017 Google Streetview screenshot for reference