For years, residents of San Francisco's Glen Park neighborhood say they've tried to convince a homeowner to clean up his yard, which has become a virtual barricade of lumber, plants and debris.
The house in the 500 block of Joost Avenue is barricaded behind a wall of trees--some living--some hanging as if from a noose, along with cardboard boxes and a growing stockpile of lumber in the backyard.
Neighbors say it's more than an eyesore--it's a health hazard, and city inspectors agree. So why has this situation gone on for years? City health and building inspectors come and go, but so far, no action.
"Even if the city attorney sees and is well aware of an extremely dangerous or problematic code violation, if the department does not request the city attorney to file suit, the city attorney simply can't do it," Supervisor Scott Wiener said.
Supervisor Wiener is proposing legislation to make it easier for city departments to enforce health and building codes.
After climbing over boards full of nails, we found the owner, Tamir Marder, in his backyard. He told NBC Bay Area all the lumber in his yard is for a retaining wall he hopes to build and for privacy.
"Having plants isn't the issue," said Joachim Kainz, who lives in the neighborhood. "The issue is garbage. I can't imagine how building inspectors can't see that."
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The city's litigation committee is scheduled to meet Tuesday at the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection and hope to resolve the matter. Marder said he wants that to h appen quickly and plans to attend.
