A Marietta man's dream home has become a nightmare because of a so-called "zombie neighborhood" next door. (Fox 5 Atlanta)
Keith Askins bought his home on West Sandtown Road in Cobb County back in 2005. At the time, there were plans for a subdivision to go next door.
"It was asphalted, it was nice. It was a nice setup, and then it just went to nothing," said Askins.
After Atlanta's real estate boom went bust, the subdivision plans were scrapped.
The area has sat unattended and empty for years.
"I mean you can see, man, even the fence is overgrown with vegetation," said Askins.
Some people call it a "zombie neighborhood" – subdivisions that never got off the ground. There are hook-ups for the houses' electricity and the neighborhoods only street lit. There's another one less than a mile from Askins' home.
Askins says the worst part is a drainage pond that he says has turned into a swamp and become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, snakes and rats.
"I think it's a health issue…I've got a grandchild she wants to go outside and play, swim in the pool, that kind of thing… we can't do any of that -- especially in the summer, we just don't do it," he said.
The Cobb & Douglas Office of Public Health said they have received complaints in that area. The typical process is a property owner is sent a letter and given 30 days to fix a problem and then cited. But it becomes very complicated in situations like this when banks, foreclosures and abandoned properties get involved.
This story is courtesy of our news partner Fox 5 Atlanta
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Heaven forbid he has to interact with nature.
And before anyone says I don't understand because I'm not in his shoes, I should say that there are about 2 acres of natural woods (including a lake)behind my house, with a "zombie" neighborhood beyond that. Every day I see rabbits and deer in my back yard, oh the horror. ;)
Just because the postal service gives an address a Marietta postal address, does not mean the location is in the city. Ask the good folks in Vinings if they live in Atlanta. Heck they aren't even in Fulton County, but they have an Atlanta mailing address.
Do kids in your neighborhood go to Marietta City Schools? No. Do you pay Marietta city taxes? No.
Does the city pick up your garbage? No.
So, you and the man mentioned in this article do not live in Marietta, in fact far from it.
If you read the story, it says "A Marietta neighborhood" it does NOT say "a neighborhood within the city limits of Marietta". My neighborhood is a "Marietta neighborhood" even though I am not in the city limits either. West Sandtown Road IS a street in Marietta whether you like it or not--sorry to disappoint you, but a fact is a fact.