| Author |
Message |
    
Mama Cloudy
Citizen
Username: Mamacloudy
Post Number: 17
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 9:10 am: | 
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I live in the Montrose area with (IMHO) the most beautiful homes in the area. Yet, several of my neighbors find it hard to impossible to mow their lawns on a regular basis. There are a couple of homes that look like a jungle!
I see these neighbors regularly and they seem to be employed and like to drive nice cars and wear nice clothes. Then why is it that keeping their lawns tidy such a stretch? Don't they see that it deminishes the beauty of all the homes around them?
I've been quietly dealing with this issue for 5 years now...so my question is, how do I deal with this without starting a neighborhood conflict? |
argon_smythe
Citizen
Username: Argon_smythe
Post Number: 829
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 9:56 am: |
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Repeat after me:
“Lord, grant me the wisdom to change the things I can and accept those I cannot.”
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Shanabana
Citizen
Username: Shanabana
Post Number: 438
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 10:00 am: |
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In other words, "Keep the focus on yourself." You'll feel infinitely better.  |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14443
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 10:05 am: |
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Or you could offer to help. My neighbor mowed my lawn after I moved in and before I got a mower. That was really nice of him. He did offer to do so first.
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tomp
Citizen
Username: Tomp
Post Number: 39
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 10:09 am: |
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You can always contact Code Enforcement
http://www.southorange.org/inspections.asp
The relevant section of the code is at
http://tinyurl.com/ox5fa
I've never made a complaint, so I don't know if you can complain anonymously or not. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14444
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 10:11 am: |
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Stuff like this is a big reason people hate the suburbs. So much judgement.
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tomp
Citizen
Username: Tomp
Post Number: 40
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 10:31 am: |
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Noticing that your neighbor's yard is overgrown is not "judgement". It's a public fact. The state of your property does affect your neighbors and you have a responsibility not to let it become an eyesore. "Judgement" would be to decide that your neighbors are defective as people, somehow, for letting their yard go to h3ll, and nobody's suggested that here. Maybe there's a good reason that they can't take care of it, because of health or finances. If so, then helping them out as you suggest is certainly the right thing to do, if you have the time and ability, yourself. But, sometimes people are a little lazy, and a letter from Code Enforcement might be the just right thing to prod them to take their responsibilities more seriously.
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Josh Holtz
Citizen
Username: Jholtz
Post Number: 448
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 10:42 am: |
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I, too, believe it is the homeowner's responsiblity to maintain a clean property. It is one thing to have an overgrown garden or some burnt out grass - it is another thing to have a jungle in front of your house. Our house in Montrose was the eyesore of the neighborhood prior to us taking it over (overgrown everything and the broken down cars in the backyard cliche) - and I could never understand how the surrounding neighbors lived next to it. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11621
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 10:46 am: |
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I reported our next door neighbor to the Lawn Police because they actually had some yucky clover in their lawn and I would do it again in a heartbeat!!!!! |
jeep
Citizen
Username: Jeep
Post Number: 140
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 11:33 am: |
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Who decided that a mowed lawn looks better than a un mowed lawn? |
Hamandeggs
Citizen
Username: Hamandeggs
Post Number: 301
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 1:00 pm: |
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Wow, this seems a little harsh! Yes, in an ideal world the outside and inside would both be pristine...but, geez...
This is one of those "don't sweat the small stuff issues." I would also be careful about call code enforcement. Next year's snowstorm when you're stuck in the airport could then become occasion for neighbors to call about you. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 2790
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 1:14 pm: |
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In the 60's and 70's we all grew grass, now we all cut it. What's next? |
Politicalmon
Citizen
Username: Politicalmon
Post Number: 158
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 1:35 pm: |
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Hybrid synethetics which don't require much water and have a slow grow rate and with the genetic enhancement the new variety is impervious to invasion by those dreaded grubs - Now we can all get back to doing things we truely love. |
Shanabana
Citizen
Username: Shanabana
Post Number: 440
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 2:12 pm: |
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Bob K, IMO that's going too far. It's up to the homeowner what to grow. You may not like clover, but not everyone wants to go the Chemlawn rout (or has the time, physical ability, or moolah.) The weeds that grow in our back yard and side yard require that at least 3 inches of soil be torn out to get the potato-like bulbs out. We can't afford that. At least my neighbors have some sympathy... |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14458
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 2:16 pm: |
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I think bobk was pulling your leg.
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argon_smythe
Citizen
Username: Argon_smythe
Post Number: 830
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 3:00 pm: |
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No, I was the neighbor, BobK caught me dead to rights. I really shaped up after a midnight visit from the SO lawn re-education committee. Since then and now we're best of friends and our property values have skyrocketed too.
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Lizziecat
Citizen
Username: Lizziecat
Post Number: 1240
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 3:07 pm: |
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People are always wanting to "tell" on their neighbors. Didn't your parents ever tell you that no one like a tattletale? |
Taurus5208
Citizen
Username: Taurus5208
Post Number: 158
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 3:13 pm: |
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"Just move to Millburn. I'm sure it's all sunshine and Wonder Bread over there." Then you wouldn't have to complain about un-mowed lawns. |
Glock 17
Citizen
Username: Glock17
Post Number: 993
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 3:14 pm: |
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I mow our lawns!
But yeah. If someone doesn't want to mow their lawn. More power to them. Beauty is a relative thing. |
Sherri De Rose
Citizen
Username: Honeydo
Post Number: 233
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 3:44 pm: |
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Taurus5208 I laughed when you said Millburn. NOT TRUE. My friend Judy and I walk down our street and around and comment about the state of the lawns/homes. Overgrown lawns, houses with peeling paint, all the new people who have bought homes in our neighborhood couldn't give a rats ... about the way their homes look.
I believe when you buy a home you take on a responsibility to keep it looking nice. If you can't do it yourself or afford to pay someone to do it then buy a condo. |
Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 3978
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 4:31 pm: |
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-s. |
Kibbegirl
Citizen
Username: Kibbegirl
Post Number: 603
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 4:33 pm: |
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I was/am one of those unkept lawn folks Montrose neighbors. We keep a lawn service, but we are/were doing major work to the new house and it was hard for the guys to trim, mow, etc. when there's load of debris, Dumpsters, etc. in the way. Now that a lot of that stuff is moved, Anthony's has come to the rescue and has really tidying up the place. It now has "curb appeal". |
Glock 17
Citizen
Username: Glock17
Post Number: 1001
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 4:36 pm: |
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Sherri. If you buy a house...it's your house. If you feel like wearing shoes inside. Go ahead. If you feel like parking your car on the lawn. DO IT. If you feel like painting it fire red with a racing stripe..by all means go ahead. If you feel like cutting/not cutting the grass...whatever.
That's the joy of property ownership. You own the property...so you can do what you please (within the limits of the law). |
Kibbegirl
Citizen
Username: Kibbegirl
Post Number: 604
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 4:55 pm: |
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I do agree that it's nice when neighbor's keep their property up to par. I don't want to live next door to someone with a car parked on their lawn or with debris piled up on their property. It diminishes the hard work you put into making your home, well, a home. |
Sherri De Rose
Citizen
Username: Honeydo
Post Number: 235
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 5:04 pm: |
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Glock,
In theory I might agree with you, but towns have certain standards (which may or may not be enforced). I know in certain towns you must maintain the look of your house. No peeling paint, no broken windows, no grass higher than 6 inches etc. Millburn did not have any such laws but they were passed I believe last year. Again, don't know who will be doing the enforcing of these laws. I also don't think you're allowed to park your car on the lawn.... |
tomp
Citizen
Username: Tomp
Post Number: 42
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 5:05 pm: |
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It doesn't sound like you own a house, Glock. You cannot do what you please on your property. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11623
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 5:18 pm: |
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As my grandmother always used to say, "Standards must be maintained." |
Glock 17
Citizen
Username: Glock17
Post Number: 1003
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 5:30 pm: |
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yEA i guess i was wrong |
LilLB
Citizen
Username: Lillb
Post Number: 1718
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 5:30 pm: |
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No one buys property/a house in their own little world - we all have to live in the community together and should make an effort to maintain said property/house. This is even more important in a community like ours where the houses are pretty close together.
This doesn't mean you need to be pristine with the most fabulous lawn on the block or claw your way through to keep up with the Joneses. Just do the basic maintenance at a minimum.
Most of the houses around here (mine included) have tiny pieces of property - if mowing that small bit of property when the grass is pretty overgrown is that difficult, then rent an apartment or buy a condo. |
Hamandeggs
Citizen
Username: Hamandeggs
Post Number: 302
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 8:06 pm: |
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I consider that being reasonably nice to neighbors and as nonjudgemental as possible is also part of living in the community.
Most of us are doing our best. But my yard is shaggy, no question, and that's because the people in this house come before grass. People are always more important than stuff (including a lawn), so -- for the original poster, at least -- my advice is to be nice, expect them to do the same, and leave it there. |
mlj
Citizen
Username: Mlj
Post Number: 252
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 10:18 pm: |
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It all depends on the town ordinances. If you receive a violation and don't like it, move. |
Mama Cloudy
Citizen
Username: Mamacloudy
Post Number: 18
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 10:24 pm: |
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Hamandeggs...I am nice. And, I think I'm a good neighbor. Hence why I came to the board for advice.
I must in the minority here as I believe that we live in a community and how overall community looks has impact on everyone. When I left the city to live here I understood I would be taking on new responsibilities as a home owner, one of which is yard maintenance.
It's distressing, and frankly embarrassing, to pass the same homes every day that don't care for the exterior of their properties.
But that's just me, I guess.
Let the politically-correct-moral-majority attack!
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Jersey_Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 895
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 11:06 pm: |
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Mamacloudy,
I think a good offense is the best defense. Make your own yard look great. The neighbors will either begin to ask for your advice, or by contrast make your lawn look great.
I live in Montrose, and we've been improving our home both inside and out. A few people: the mailman, random walkers, and a neighbor who was just driving by, have commented on the efforts we've made. The POSITIVE reinforcement has done alot to motivate me to continue.
IF you have a chance to talk to your neighbors, perhaps you could mention the nice things about their lawn. You know, instill some confidence in their property's beauty and their eventual upkeep.
See you in Grove Park, by the water fountain.
J.B. |
Mama Cloudy
Citizen
Username: Mamacloudy
Post Number: 21
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 11:16 pm: |
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Only if you're buying... |
Jersey_Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 901
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 11:35 pm: |
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Huh? Mama, are you selling?
J.B. |
Mama Cloudy
Citizen
Username: Mamacloudy
Post Number: 24
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 11:41 pm: |
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Oh, forget it...One minute the discussion has a clever, sardonic edge, the next, it's like talking to my mother. |
Jersey_Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 903
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 11:59 pm: |
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Whoooah!
Mama, if your mother is anything like mine, them's fightin' words.
Clever? Sardonic? Edge? You started a post about lawns.
Check yo' self before you... well you know the rest, you clever, sardonic mama.
J.B.
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us2inFL
Citizen
Username: Us2innj
Post Number: 1437
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 6:29 am: |
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Our community in Wellington has very specific rules and regulations about exterior appearance. The builder provides a landscape "package" that must be maintained as the very least. Three palm trees and two other trees in front of each house, shrubs, plants, flowers etc. If a tree on your property doesn't take hold in the first year, the builder replaces it. After that the homeowner is required to remove and replace it with a tree of similar style. You can remove the variety of palms they provide, but must reinstall three palm trees.
Town provided garbage dumpsters cannot be left curbside after collection, and must be stored in the garage or hidden from frontal view along side the house.
Paver stones must be powerwashed if they become stained. Tile roofs too, when they become dirty. Weeds must be removed from in between paver stones on your drive and walks.
You cannot park any vehicle that has business advertising on it in your driveway. You cannot operate a business from your house, that impacts the community.
These rules are set at closing and remain in effect on a resale. The Village of Wellington (FL) and our community, Olympia enforce these rules on a regular basis.
I remember when Maplewood was considered "The Land of NO" but now I think Olympia takes the lead on that one.
Oh, by the way, I am the Chairman of the Compliance and Fining Committee here, and things are just humming along fine.
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Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14475
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 7:38 am: |
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You remind me of the scene in the Woody Allen film Bananas where the new South American dictator says that you must change underwear three times a day, and to make sure you do it, you must wear it on the outside from now on.
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Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11630
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 7:48 am: |
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Us, just remember "that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely".
Can I put up some pink flamingos? |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11631
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 7:51 am: |
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Ham, we had electrical heating wires installed in our walks so their will never be any yucky ice or snow buildups for that very reason. I think this system should be mandatory since it is very reasonable. For 150 feet it only cost us $12,500 and change. |
us2inFL
Citizen
Username: Us2innj
Post Number: 1438
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 8:22 am: |
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Tom, at this time there is no underwear changing requirement here in Olympia. The Village of Wellington might have one, but I haven't gotten the memo on that one yet. Heck, we don't even require people take off their sneakers before putting their feet up on an antique chair (he he.)
BobK, that is what the Board of Directors is for.... an no on the pinkies.
Did anyone see the piece on the "Daily Show" about Home Owners Assn rules in one of the developments down here? It was a howl.
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Jersey_Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 905
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 1:17 pm: |
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Just got it. Buying at the water fountain. I've got to start reading my own posts.
You're right Cloudy One, I am as dumb as your mother.
J.B. |
Lucy
Supporter
Username: Lucy
Post Number: 3820
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 2:07 pm: |
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 |
Glock 17
Citizen
Username: Glock17
Post Number: 1012
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 3:48 pm: |
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Mama Cloudy where do you live? When I become wealthy I;'ll move to the montrose area and make my front yard a parking lot. |
Shanabana
Citizen
Username: Shanabana
Post Number: 447
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 5:02 pm: |
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I love it when the neighbors look shabby, then I look better.
We bought a "fixer upper" here in SO, other side of the tracks from you, Mama. The lady who lived here had a lawn guy come and keep things edged, etc. Meanwhile, inside the place is a disaster. We did do work outside when we arrived, had hedges removed that were blocking all light from entering the front of the house, had three dangerous trees removed. All that cost upwards of 6,000. We mow the lawn when we feel it needs it, not to keep up with the Jones'.
BobK, you're joking again, right? |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11637
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 5:12 pm: |
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About what? My grandmother, who actually wore a monocle, or pink flamingos or the heated sidewalks.
As Joe Izuzu used to say, "trust me". |
Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 3981
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 10:04 pm: |
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Other great Joe Isuzu quotes:
"You have my word on it."
"If I'm lying, may lightning hit my mother."
"It has more seats than the Astrodome!"
"Hi, I'm Joe Isuzu and I used my new Isuzu pickup truck to carry a 2,000 pound cheeseburger."
-s.
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Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 3982
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 10:08 pm: |
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BTW: Whatever happened to David Leisure, anyhow?
 |
notehead
Supporter
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 3342
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 1:53 pm: |
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Um... folks, if this were strictly a matter of aesthetics, I'd be right there with all my liberal and libertarian neighbors saying that people should mind their own business, but there is a very important aspect of this that nobody has mentioned so far.
Overgrown yards harbor vermin.
That, in my opinion, is the foremost reason why you should keep your grass mowed. We've got some terrible problems with rodents in some parts of our neighborhood, and we all have a responsibility to maintain our properties to help minimize it. You think you don't have time or money to do it? FIND the money or the time, because once your yard is infested with vermin, you'll wish you hadn't neglected this fairly simple responsibility. |
tomp
Citizen
Username: Tomp
Post Number: 48
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 2:13 pm: |
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notehead,
I could see overgrown yards providing an inviting habitat for ground hogs and (maybe) chipmunks, but if you have a rat or mouse problem I'm sure there's more to it than that. In particular, there's probably unsecured trash or some other significant food source for them out there. I've recently heard about a couple of cases where local mouse populations exploded because people left bags of grass seeds around. (It happened to us last winter.) I'm all for people keeping their yards neat, but "OVERGROWN YARDS HARBOR VERMIN" sounds (and looks) overly alarmist. |
Jersey_Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 925
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 2:36 pm: |
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I'm guilty of the "Grass Seed" goof. Found the bag in the garage with a hole chewed through it and lots of tiny poops.
Now the dog is going crazy about something under the back porch near the GARBAGE. (Vermin!)
Lawn, however, is green and mowed. (A more positive consequence of grass seed.)
J.B. |
notehead
Supporter
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 3347
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 3:00 pm: |
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Tomp, I wasn't aware of it myself, until the point was made by an official notification that was sent around by South Orange - I think it was last summer. I know the tone of my post was kind of heavy, but man, the idea of rats running around my yard gives me the willies. |
Shanabana
Citizen
Username: Shanabana
Post Number: 456
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 8:02 pm: |
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Cats. |
Steve Hickson
Citizen
Username: Shickson
Post Number: 20
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 9:42 pm: |
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Speaking of lawn mowing and/or the lack thereof---the old Montrose School is in serious need of a haircut.
Anyone know who is responsible for maintaining the school and mowing the lawn?
Hey, I'll be the first one to admit that "shabby-sheek" is in but Montrose School is starting to look more like 101 Mockingbird Lane. And I live a couple of doors down with the obnoxiously perfect sod front lawn---my apologies to the hard-core tree huggers but why grow grass organically when you can just let the landscape guys lay it in like wall-to-wall carpeting? So clearly I give a rats a** about the appearance of our neighborhood and it would be nice to see the school cleaned up.
Anyway, could somebody please order up a John Deere for the Montrose School and supersize it??? The place is starting to like like the lanscaping equivalent of ZZ Top on a bad hair day. |
Tuxedo
Citizen
Username: Tuxedo
Post Number: 10
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 1, 2006 - 11:28 am: |
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Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
We've got a really nice neighbor who cuts his grass infrequently.
It's an eyesore all summer long.
If you say something, you destroy a relationship.
If you narc on them, they'll know it is you.
How do you handle such a situation in a kind respectful manner?
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tomp
Citizen
Username: Tomp
Post Number: 50
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 1, 2006 - 11:57 am: |
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Obviously, the relationship should more important than the eyesore, and it seems clear you're treating it that way now. If your relationship with them is good enough, maybe you'll find some obvious way to help them or to prod to do something. Or, there might just not be anything you can do about it until the problem's bad enough that it gets in the way of your relationship; then, you might as well call code enforcement. If your neighbor's been around for a while, that may not even be such a shock. My one neighor hasn't painted his house for decades, and it's kind of faded and peeling badly. Apparently, the last time he painted it was when the town told him he had to, and he's declared he won't paint it again until they ding him again. If I was selling my own house, I might try to encourage him to get it painted sooner, but I get along with him well and preserving that is more important to me than the peeling paint. |
Tuxedo
Citizen
Username: Tuxedo
Post Number: 11
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 1, 2006 - 12:26 pm: |
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Why did he declare to you that he wasn't going to paint it?
We pay such high property taxes...to look at house with peeling paint is hard to stomach when we get that yearly tax assmnt. of 10K+ |
tomp
Citizen
Username: Tomp
Post Number: 51
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 1, 2006 - 1:22 pm: |
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To be honest, it was a statement he made to another neighbor of ours, so I don't know in what context or in what tone it was made - I've never raised the issue with him. But, I think he'd just rather just save his money for other things. He's older, a little curmudgeonly, and doesn't get around that well (he grew up in this house and lives there alone now that his parents have died) and needs to hire people to do things others of us can do for ourselves (like mow the lawn.) |
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