[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Neighbor Issues... (Page 1 of 4)
Posted: 12/1/2016 4:42:24 PM EDT
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Long story short, I found out that my neighbor ratted on me to the city about my project in the backyard. Before you think I was completely at fault, here's the backstory:
Wife decided she wanted a pergola built over the back patio, so I decided I'd do the project myself (you can see some details here: Pergola Thread). Before starting, I got approval through the HOA without issue. Then I called the city to ask about permitting and they said if floor area was under 120sf then a project would not need permitting. Just to be sure, they referred me to Bureau Veritas who does their inspections, and chatted with them about a few details. They pretty much had the same conclusion, and I also asked them about some of the separation requirements for detached accessory structures which made no sense. In any event, I decided I'd done my due diligence and proceeded with the project. Just when I thought everything was OK, I got an e-mail from the city two weeks ago explaining that there was a complaint filed about my Pergola and they conducted an investigation which determined I needed a permit (floor area is under 120sf on it, but roof area is 144sf). I headed down to city hall the next morning to pay the permitting fee and argued with them a bit about detached vs. attached structures (which has become a headache due to modifications I have to make to it). I also asked them who filed the complaint on me, and they said I would have to submit a formal request for public information. I didn't think any useful information would actually come from it, but I submitted the form anyway. Yesterday, I finally received my information request from the city; they sent me a copy of the actual form this fucking guy filled out, in his handwriting, specifically asking them to look into whether or not I had a permit for the pergola. It pissed me off but, at the same time, I felt sort of betrayed. They moved into their new house two doors down from us about 2 months ago. My wife took them cookies and chatted with them to welcome them to the neighborhood, and they even sent a thank you letter back to us. So why on earth would this guy pull this sort of shit on me? They are retired, so maybe he's got too much time on his hands? In any event, I suppose I'll go down and have a civil chat with him about the issue and let him know that I know he filed the complaint. As much as I'd like to call him cowardly sack of shit to his face, I'm not certain this would be the best approach. What would y'all do in this situation? Before someone says it, I know the default Arfcom answer would be to move out to the country, but that's just not in the cards at the moment. |
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Quoted:
Long story short, I found out that my neighbor ratted on me to the city about my project in the backyard. Before you think I was completely at fault, here's the backstory: Wife decided she wanted a pergola built over the back patio, so I decided I'd do the project myself (you can see some details here: Pergola Thread). Before starting, I got approval through the HOA without issue. Then I called the city to ask about permitting and they said if floor area was under 120sf then a project would not need permitting. Just to be sure, they referred me to Bureau Veritas who does their inspections, and chatted with them about a few details. They pretty much had the same conclusion, and I also asked them about some of the separation requirements for detached accessory structures which made no sense. In any event, I decided I'd done my due diligence and proceeded with the project. Just when I thought everything was OK, I got an e-mail from the city two weeks ago explaining that there was a complaint filed about my Pergola and they conducted an investigation which determined I needed a permit (floor area is under 120sf on it, but roof area is 144sf). I headed down to city hall the next morning to pay the permitting fee and argued with them a bit about detached vs. attached structures (which has become a headache due to modifications I have to make to it). I also asked them who filed the complaint on me, and they said I would have to submit a formal request for public information. I didn't think any useful information would actually come from it, but I submitted the form anyway. Yesterday, I finally received my information request from the city; they sent me a copy of the actual form this fucking guy filled out, in his handwriting, specifically asking them to look into whether or not I had a permit for the pergola. It pissed me off but, at the same time, I felt sort of betrayed. They moved into their new house two doors down from us about 2 months ago. My wife took them cookies and chatted with them to welcome them to the neighborhood, and they even sent a thank you letter back to us. So why on earth would this guy pull this sort of shit on me? They are retired, so maybe he's got too much time on his hands? In any event, I suppose I'll go down and have a civil chat with him about the issue and let him know that I know he filed the complaint. As much as I'd like to call him cowardly sack of shit to his face, I'm not certain this would be the best approach. What would y'all do in this situation? Before someone says it, I know the default Arfcom answer would be to move out to the country, but that's just not in the cards at the moment. You found the problem, too much idle time. |
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Old Retired Guy here ...
Go over shoot the shit like normal ... Stumble on the subject that your pergola is almost done ... Wifey is gonna be happy etc ... Take your time - give him plenty of time to pony up the courage to tell you what he did. If he doesn't ... CALL the motherfucker on it - eyeball to eyeball. After you get though with his explanation - If appropriate, tell him he's a sniffling backstabbing fucking coward - eta: Then get the water hose, turn it on, take a little drink and HOSE HIS ASS OFF.... 
Nothing in the Texas Penal Code about squirting down your neighbor with the garden hose. |
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Quoted:
Old Retired Guy here ... Go over shoot the shit like normal ... Stumble on the subject that your pergola is almost done ... Wifey is gonna be happy etc ... Take your time - give him plenty of time to pony up the courage to tell you what he did. If he doesn't ... CALL the motherfucker on it - eyeball to eyeball. After you get though with his explanation - If appropriate, tell him he's a sniffling backstabbing fucking coward - eta: Then get the water hose, turn it on, take a little drink and HOSE HIS ASS OFF....
Nothing in the Texas Penal Code about squirting down your neighbor with the garden hose. This is the appropriate response. Asshole neighbors get the hose VIDEO |
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Quoted:
Confrontation in your neighborhood is pretty stupid. There's nothing to gain from talking to him. Don't ever do anything for him again. What's done is done, and it's over, unless you kick up the shit storm. Yeah, I'm going back and forth between doing nothing or saying something. In my mind he's the one who kicked up the shit storm so I want revenge, but perhaps isn't the most level headed thing to do. My community has a Facebook page, and I also thought about posting a PSA to everyone to make sure their permits were in order because this dipshit would turn them in. Then again, many people don't respond well to public criticism
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Quoted:
Confrontation in your neighborhood is pretty stupid. There's nothing to gain from talking to him. Don't ever do anything for him again. What's done is done, and it's over, unless you kick up the shit storm. With these types it is never over. It is never over. |
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In all seriousness. I'd call him out politely.
"Hey man, I know you called the city on my pergola. So you know I went through the process of asking about a permit and was told I didn't need one, they came out and inspected and said otherwise, and I was happy to pay what was needed and go about it the right way. That was never an issue. I'm not sure why you felt the need to report me, rather than come talk to me first. In the future, I'd hope you would come talk to me if there's something that's bothering you, and I'm sure we can always work something out." No need to get into a tiff with a neighbor, but no need to let him feel like he can get away with being a nutless piece of shit. |
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Quoted:
With these types it is never over. It is never over. Quoted:
Quoted:
Confrontation in your neighborhood is pretty stupid. There's nothing to gain from talking to him. Don't ever do anything for him again. What's done is done, and it's over, unless you kick up the shit storm. With these types it is never over. It is never over. Exactly, so why tip your hand your on to the fucker. There is no profit to be gained from a talk.,zero. File and remember is all that is nessesary. |
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I'm stumped on this permitting shit. Wtf.
I built my patio, I didn't ask anybody shit. If I decide to cover t, I ain't asking anybody shit. Hell my own kid had a fit when they got a tool shed for the back yard. Had to submit a to scale drawing of yard, where they wanted the shed and pay $25 for permit. I told her to just put the shed up. Fuck that shit. If I get a shed next spring guess who isn't doing that stupid shit? |
| Mail him a copy of the complaint from your address and he'll figure it out. Then become an asshole to him. Opportunities will present themselves to you in the future such as his car won't start, or he's locked out of his house. Use those opportunities to fuck him over and pay him back. Anytime you think about doing something that's perfectly legal but would be annoying to him, do it. |
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Quoted:
I'm stumped on this permitting shit. Wtf. I built my patio, I didn't ask anybody shit. If I decide to cover t, I ain't asking anybody shit. Hell my own kid had a fit when they got a tool shed for the back yard. Had to submit a to scale drawing of yard, where they wanted the shed and pay $25 for permit. I told her to just put the shed up. Fuck that shit. If I get a shed next spring guess who isn't doing that stupid shit? |
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I would go vent about the crazy bitch that dropped a dime on you like you don't know it was him.
Then maybe offer to build him one and see what he says.. Give him a chance to come clean and smooth it over. I would not make an enemy out of someone with unlimited time on their hands. |
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Quoted:
Mail him a copy of the complaint from your address and he'll figure it out. Then become an asshole to him. Opportunities will present themselves to you in the future such as his car won't start, or he's locked out of his house. Use those opportunities to fuck him over and pay him back. Anytime you think about doing something that's perfectly legal but would be annoying to him, do it. This really isn't a bad idea. Maybe I could spice it up a little by adding a printout of this in there too :
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Quoted:
You found the problem, too much idle time. A retired guy in my neighborhood made a big deal about the tejano music coming from the build caddy corner to his place during the day... said it was "noise pollution" and was bitching up a storm about it on our public neighborhood forum. Not that I'm a huge fan of Tejano music, but I had to listen to that stuff for 9 months while the houses around me were built. No biggie, those guys are working hard out there and I'm not going to complain about it as they weren't blasting it. After some public shaming he deleted the whole thread. Point is: Some people just have nothing better to do with their time than find stupid crap to complain about |