An anonymous complaint about 18-year-old shrubbery has a Villager scrambling to find a solution.
Ernest Sowell Jr. who lives at 8345 SE 176th Lawson Loop in the Village of Piedmont appeared before a special master Monday at the District Office at Brownwood.
A complaint was lodged Jan. 20 with Community Standards about “backyard hedges that extend all the way to the curb.” Community Standards investigated the situation and determined that there were shrubs in the road right of way, which extends 12 feet from the curb.
Appearing at the hearing, Sowell complained that the shrubs have been in place for 18 years. He said there has never been a problem with the shrubs prior to the anonymous complaint. He also said he had taken care to ensure the shrubs were always trimmed back to guarantee traffic, including golf carts, could safely travel by his property.
Sowell also complained about the anonymous complaint.
“I thought we had a right to face our accuser,” Sowell said.
He also said he had extended a sunroom at his home so he would be “losing most of my backyard.”
He was given 45 days to bring the property into compliance.