One Michigan homeowner’s backyard pool party instantly became talk of the neighborhood. But it wasn’t without a ton of rule-breaking issues that came with it. The homeowner does plan to appeal the many citations that he was given, however.
The party happened at another home in the 300 block of Westchester Way. It drew police, neighbor complaints, and tons of city attention. Speaking anonymously, the homeowner apologized for the disruption, according to ClickOnDetroit. He acknowledged that guests leaving the gathering caused major traffic issues and did end up inconveniencing other residents in the area. He admitted that future parties would need more planning. He’d also have to make sure he watched over the parties in the future.
But he wanted to make sure he clarified some of what happened. For instance, he clarified that the event wasn’t an Airbnb rental, Swimply rental, or other short-term rental arrangement. Instead, he described it as a pool party he allowed someone else to host.
Police and city officials have differing opinions on the matter. Over 100 people showed up, while neighbors said the street was filled with cars and some intoxicated partygoers. Birmingham police said the homeowner and the person who rented the pool were just some of those who received tickets.
How the Pool Party Became a City Issue
The party might have started in a backyard, but it didn’t stay a backyard problem for long. The videos from the gathering showed several, if not dozens, of attendees around the pool, loud music blasting, and partygoers on the sidewalks. Police were called with reports of cars blocking the street, and eventually shut the party down.
Police said the department should have shut the gathering down sooner. Officers did issue multiple citations. Still, they acknowledged that the event had been disruptive for most nearby. Police also said future incidents requiring intervention would involve police supervision to make sure crowds disperse safely.
The controversy has also pulled Birmingham’s pool and short-term rental rules into the spotlight. Officials said that since the owner rented out the pool, not the house, the city found that there was a zoning violation for a single-family residential property. Regardless of how the appeal plays out, the pool party has already become something that residents won’t soon forget.
If you’re planning on having a pool party in your area, whether in your home or somewhere else, these are all important things to keep in mind. Make sure you know the rules where you live, keep track of who’s attending, keep things from becoming rowdy, and understand how the party needs to operate. And make sure you don’t go viral, or at least don’t have such a blowout that virality will ensure problems. Then you should be in the clear.