good luck. this guy has been allowed by the city to keep his house and yard like this for YEARS.

We are pretty new to the neighborhood, but are surprised every time we walk by. The yard is one thing... looks like and over grown junk yard, but it's private property and we're not big advocates of government interfering with someone's private life. But the structure of the house is clearly rotting and no longer weather-proof. I would be shocked if it's structurally safe and sound. And I read not infrequently about the city forcing residents to make necessary repairs to their houses in order for them reach a minimum standard... it makes me wonder why that would not apply to this property.

Aren't we better than this, beating up on someone who has a different idea of how to maintain a yard? Why does this aesthetics matter rise to the level of government issue?

Have you who so object to it talked to the owner?

Not sure if you were able to read my last comment, but my concern is the safety of the structure of the house. For whatever reason, that's not a category to choose in this forum.

This is not beating up on someone with a different aesthetic. This is asking the city why a property owner is allowed to keep a property in a perpetual state of disrepair. The yard would normally be considered junked - if not in Ann Arbor. The weeds are overgrown each and every summer. The various rotting metal objects could be considered a danger to neighborhood children. Taste yes. Junkyard - no. Our neighborhood has a few 'special' properties like this. It'd be nice if those owners were forced to live by the same rules applied to the rest of us.

There are plenty of homes in Ann Arbor that have a "different idea of how to maintain a yard" - - but few reach the condition of this property with dozens of safety, health, and maintenance violations. Long-standing situation for many, if not 20 years or more. It's clear that the the city attorney has no interest in pursuing the many homes like this that exist - - in almost every neighborhood. The city will occasionally issue a ticket/notice - - but no follow-up or anything close to legal enforcement. What to do ?

How sad it is that in this day and age we still have people trying to force their life styles onto others. No wonder that such whiners are afraid to use their real names. Lack of paint is not a structural defect, just ugly. That house is in no danger of collapse. It is amazing that some people would like to force their values onto others for no other reason than their simple viewing pleasure. Live and let Live! If you don't like the way it looks then don't look at it!

Three questions John... 1. How would you know if that house is in danger of collapse?
2. Where do you draw the line between "imposing values" and enforcing the law? Extracted from Ann Arbor Ordinances: "It shall be unlawful for any person to store, or to permit the storage or accumulation of trash, rubbish, junk, junk vehicles or abandoned vehicles on any private property in the Township except within a completely enclosed building or upon the premises of a properly zoned, licensed junkyard, junk buyer, dealer in used auto parts, or dealer in secondhand goods or junk."
I suppose I'm imposing my values by concluding that the rusted out appliances in the front yard are "junk" as opposed to "art."
3. Are you not "forcing your values" on to me by implying that I should have a different opinion about this issue? One of the great things about values is that everyone's are different. The other great thing about values is that when the majority of the community has the same values, that common value becomes law, and those who break that law should face consequences.

Three answers snaggle tooth;
1.) My background of 40+ years as an engineer backup up my opinion that the house is in no danger of collapse. Plus my knowledge of recent previous work done to repair the house. Yes, it was worse, there used to be a big hole in the roof.
2.) Yes, you are imposing your values by concluding that the stuff in the yard is junk. The owner considers it "art". As the old saying goes "One man's junk is another man's treasure". You ask about drawing the line between imposing values and enforcing the law. Historically, in this area, the line had been drawn on the side of individual freedom rather than community compliance.
3.) No, I am not saying that you should have a different opinion. I am saying that you should not force others to change their life to comply with your opinion. As a matter of fact my opinion is much the same as yours. I think it is a bunch of ugly junk. Much the same as I think of the stuff out on the lawn in front of UM's Art Museum. But I will defend the owners right to display his "art".

You mentioned community values, one of the greatest and best community values of our neighborhood is to NOT be like many suburban communities where some "block captains" run around clip boards and tape measures making certain everyone is in compliance. Live and let live.
I see you are new to the neighborhood. Welcome to the neighborhood but please don't come here and try to change the way we live.

Thank you for your warm welcome. It appears that the vegetation has been trimmed. I appreciate that the city provides this forum to voice our concerns.

A Community Standards Officer of the Ann Arbor Police Department issued a notice of code violation on 6/19/2017.

Snaggle Tooth: A genuine warm welcome from me ! Thank you for using A2 FixIt on this issue.

An Officer of the Community Standards Unit of the Ann Arbor Police Department found the property to be in compliance on 6/23/2017.

Your request has been acknowledged and/or addressed to the best of staff's ability. A more detailed description of action taken by staff, if available, is provided in the comments above. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.