Back yard fire pits

[Ford Prefect]

Aside from other factors in this debate, governments already legislate way too many aspects of our lives. We need to step back and examine how Orwellian we've become. What next? State controlled sex?

[Ford Prefect]

Originally Posted by Dion

The problem here is you expect the people around you to tolerate your all night parties that happen say 5 times a year. That to me that is self centered.

People around you calling the cops suggests to me that they don't agree with your line of thinking. Is thier right to peace not a valid issue?

This is a revelry issue though, not a fire pit issue. Getting rid of fire pits won't eliminate garden parties.

We have a fire pit and it has been used about 99% of the time for kids parties ... roasting 'Smores, marshmellows, etc. We occasionally have adult gathering around it, but they're lower key than the kids parties even. Legislating away fire pits will only eliminate something that can be used positively without doing anything to stop the negatives ... boozy, noisy garden parties will continue unabated after fire pits are eliminated.

[onetwo_threefour]

I don't think that your view of consideration is very commonsensical flip.

We had some neighbours who were renters and partied probably every other weekend until two-thirty or so in the summer last year. By your definition they were being considerate even though we live in a community of old folks who wouldn't say boo to a house full of twentysomething party-guy renters. We had a one year old baby who would wake up because of the noise every time they had one of their parties, but I guess that was considerate nonetheless, right?

I suppose we should have redesigned our house, or moved, or changed our child's sleeping arrangements for the pressing need of our neighbour to make noise in the middle of the night. What a self-centred world you must live in.

[flip]

Originally Posted by onetwo_threefour

I don't think that your view of consideration is very commonsensical flip.

We had some neighbours who were renters and partied probably every other weekend until two-thirty or so in the summer last year. By your definition they were being considerate even though we live in a community of old folks who wouldn't say boo to a house full of twentysomething party-guy renters. We had a one year old baby who would wake up because of the noise every time they had one of their parties, but I guess that was considerate nonetheless, right?

I suppose we should have redesigned our house, or moved, or changed our child's sleeping arrangements for the pressing need of our neighbour to make noise in the middle of the night. What a self-centred world you must live in.

Clearly you didn't read my post so I'm just going to ignore how stupid this post is.

[flip]

Originally Posted by Dion

That sounds like an ultimatum as opposed to can we work something out here. It is not the responsibility of the family to set up a way to sleep undisturbed. You should respect the fact the family has to get up early for a swim meet.

And they should respect the fact that I'm not going to spend the rest of my life sitting quietly because of the possibility I might keep someone up.

I fail to see why my ability to have a party 5 times a year is less important than you being too uptight to deal with a lack of sleep 5 times a year. If my neighbors want to have a party 5 times a year then go ahead. If they are too loud I might ask them to keep it down a bit but I'd never be so self important that I'd call the cops on them unless they were completely out of control.

Also their fun doesn't have to mean my misery. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Best way to not lose sleep over it is to just go party yourself.

I know for a fact my neighbors aren't nearly as anal as quite a few people on here. If they were I'd make sure I turned it up extra loud just to piss them off. The fact they don't bitch and moan every time I have a party means that I respect them a hell of a lot more for not sticking their nose in my business. Then when they want to do something that I may object to, I don't have to worry because I know they'll have my back the next time.

Some of you seem to think only your happiness is important even if it means acting like a nazi and spending all of your time keeping tabs on how late your neighbors are partying. It is called reciprocity people, try adhering to it sometimes and you'll find that life is a lot more fun when you don't make your sole concern on this earth what your neighbors are doing.

Also I can tell you right now, the first time my neighbors call the cops on me, I'll be calling 311 and the cops daily to report anything and everything they do. Whether they are out late, not cutting their lawn, washing their car on the street, not shoveling snow etc etc.

[onetwo_threefour]

Clearly you didn't read your own post and how ignorant you come across, so I'll ignore your reply and thank FSM that you aren't my neighbour.

If you live in a college dorm, fine, otherwise consideration has quite a different definition than you propose. It means that YOU consider others, not that you expect others to put up with your inconsiderate BS. Feel free to tell me I don't understand poor flip, but i'll leave you to it.

BTW I never 'ratted' out my neighbours, but I do think they're inconsiderate.

[flip]

Originally Posted by onetwo_threefour

Clearly you didn't read your own post and how ignorant you come across, so I'll ignore your reply and thank FSM that you aren't my neighbour.

If you live in a college dorm, fine, otherwise consideration has quite a different definition than you propose. It means that YOU consider others, not that you expect others to put up with your inconsiderate BS. Feel free to tell me I don't understand poor flip, but i'll leave you to it.

BTW I never 'ratted' out my neighbours, but I do think they're inconsiderate.

Hahahahahahaah. I know for a fact that me and my neighbors get along great. We're all really good friends and we all respect each other. Your neighbors on the other hand likely think you're an ahole. They are probably right.

I guess it is time to break this out again:

Principal: Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
Billy Madison: Okay, a simple "wrong" would've done just fine.

As per usual you're Mr. Madison.

[Antithesis]

I love the "... if you don't like it, move/close the window/change your sleeping arrangements" comments.

I think 11 PM is a more than reasonable time for things to quiet down, even on a weekend. I understand people are going to have parties and such, but when you're carrying on loudly past then, I'm afraid you're being unreasonable. That being said, talking/joking around/visiting isn't anything I'd have a problem with - it's when you get drunks hooting and hollering as loudly as possible (it seems).

I just can't see how you or anyone would think it's reasonable to say to your neighbors "You're going to have to put up with no sleep X number of nights a year because I have a right to be as loud as I want at any time" ... why should I have to do that? Why should my son? Would you be happy if he woke up and was screaming because he just doesn't understand your need here, so I brought him by so you could explain? Why should I have to shell out $3000+ to get air conditioning so I can have my windows closed on a hot summer night so that your party doesn't disturb me? If it's that important to you - shouldn't you help me pay for it?

To me it boils down to this, if you want to have a party and be loud after 11PM or whatever it is, then go inside - I can have my windows open, you don't bother me, and I don't bother you. Seems like a simple solution.

That being said, I'm anticipating the "you just don't get it, you panties-twisted, no fun, unreasonable jerk" reply ... but hey.

[GGG]

Mutual respect works both ways.

1) the person making noise should only do it occasionally
2) the person being bothered by noise should allow it occasionally.

So what flip is doing having a party four to five times a year is reasonable as long as when the neighbours dog craps on his lawn he doesn't get all mad about it.

Nothing bothers me more then the sound of lawn mowers so should the city ban all gas and electirc lawn mowers and only allow the push reel mowers. Should I be allowed to call 311 to complain when some one is mowing there lawn at 9:00 am. I might be a shiftworker who has just finished working all night. Simple consideration is all that is required

[onetwo_threefour]

Luckily, the opinions of those I consider inconsiderate of me don't really overly concern me. But as with so much else in this thread, you're wrong about that. My neighbour and I get along well enough and the fact that I haven't called them on their parties means they would have no reason to consider me an 'ahole' as you put it. I just think of them as inconsiderate in this regard. I don't think they're bad people, just inconsiderate about reasonable limits to nighttime outdoor activities.

I genreally like your posts flip and I'd probably like to have a barbeque with you, but I think you are completely out to lunch with your opinion on this one.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Antithesis

I love the "... if you don't like it, move/close the window/change your sleeping arrangements" comments.

Just for the record- my "you can close your window if it bothers you" comments posted earlier had more to do with the prior to 11pm issue that seems to come up.

I'm pretty lucky where I am with repect to neighbours. Back in March the people 2 doors down had a hot tub party outside until 4:00 or so. More than anything I had to respect their determination to not let -10 weather get to them. The next night when it started up again, the guy between us told them at 2:00 they should shut it down; and they did.

But the general "rule" around here is if the noise is keeping you up; that is an invitation to join the fun. There's been a few times where I hear "Ken- when did you get here? Oh crap- did we wake you up?" To which I give the only answer possible- "Yeah, but I took it as a sign that I needed more beer."

I suck it up because I know everybody else will be grumbling on Super Bowl Sunday when there is no parking within a block of my house.

[flip]

Originally Posted by GGG

Mutual respect works both ways.

1) the person making noise should only do it occasionally
2) the person being bothered by noise should allow it occasionally.

So what flip is doing having a party four to five times a year is reasonable as long as when the neighbours dog craps on his lawn he doesn't get all mad about it.

Nothing bothers me more then the sound of lawn mowers so should the city ban all gas and electirc lawn mowers and only allow the push reel mowers. Should I be allowed to call 311 to complain when some one is mowing there lawn at 9:00 am. I might be a shiftworker who has just finished working all night. Simple consideration is all that is required

Dog crap is just rude all the time, but if my neighbor decided to have a fire on a hot ass weeknight I'd let it slide even if I had to put up with my house being hot or smelling like smoke.

As for anyone who thinks that anyone who likes to be outdoors after 11pm should just go inside: you are an old man. Maybe not in age but in attitude. Why not just close your windows if the noise outside bothers you? Or move next to a cemetary, then at least you won't have neighbors bothering you.

I'm shocked at the number of people who will defend their right to keep their neighborhood in line. God forbid they have any fun without your consent and permission. I guess they aren't posting in this thread because they're all out enjoying themselves and you guys are sitting in your house being angry that people are outside having fun. As for me, I had homework.

[onetwo_threefour]

Yeah, and I had an almost two year old son I'm trying to get settled to sleep...

[Antithesis]

Well, I made my point - guess I'm an old man - for the record, Ken, sounds like you have an awesome situation where you're living. Our neighborhood doesn't seem to have that spirit but that's cool. As for you, flip - check back with me when you have children When all of the sudden 7:00 AM is 'sleeping in' and 8:00 is 'holy fata' and 9:00 is unheard of ... you might think a little differently about the times quoted in city bylaws

Oh, and I'm home because, you know, I have a job and such. Kind of requires me to get sleep on a Sunday night, but I guess that kind of thing is for old people!

[lucky1]

Its my backyard, I paid damn good money sodding it, building a deck, pouring a pad etc etc....I occasionally like to enjoy this new found space into the wee hours of the morning. I dont abuse it, and I expect the same from my neighbours....something called respect..
On the other hand, used to have some neighbours, mid twenties I think. Pretty sure daddy bought the house, there were about 3 or 4 younger guys and gals living there. They had one of those huge hot tubs, built in stereo, big cup holders, you name it.
When the hot tub first arrived, they must have had an all night party in it for a full solid week....after one especially loud Sat night, I set my alarm for 7am...woke up, pulled out the mower, two bolts and off with the muffler, set it inbetween my house and thiers....and I let that baby run for two tankfuls of gas.....They got the hint and we never had a problem after that...they also moved 6 months later...
Sometimes you just have to remind people there are consequences to be paid.....

[FlamesKickAss]

I didnt have a chance to read it but there was a headline in the sun that said 32 people have complained about fire pits. Really we are making a fuss about 32 people? (cant find it on the website either)

I have asthma and I love sitting around a fire pit.

Sometimes my neighbors are loud and sometimes I am a bit loud. I have never seen the cops called to our street since moving there in August. I am thankful I don't live next to a bunch of crapapples.

I was at a buddies house 2 years ago when his nieghbors called the cops, they came and could see we weren't making any noise, advised us of the fire bylaw (out by 1am) and left and let us keep our fire.

[Methanolic]

[quote=FlamesKickAss;1877872]I didnt have a chance to read it but there was a headline in the sun that said 32 people have complained about fire pits. Really we are making a fuss about 32 people?

quote]



Ahh! Ha! Ha!

Wow! Those 32 people sure get a lot of attention!,,,,,I guess they whined the loudest!!


I'd love to know how Ralph Klein would have handled this. I think he would have organized a gigantic fire pit at olympic plazza and offered free diapers to the 32 infants that complained!

[urban1]

A few idiots on both sides of this will ruin it for everyone.

Youve got the idiots with the firepit who burn wet wood or even garbage and create a ton of smoke and stink that fills a neighbourhood.

Then youve got the idiot who has 311 and the police on speed dial ready to dial at the first sight of a neighbour lighting a firepit.

Im sympathetic for those with asthma or other health issues but where do you draw the line? Do you ban wood fireplaces or wood stoves inside of homes? How about those with severe seasonal allergies? Do we ban certian types of plants and trees that cause the most severe allergic reactions.

How about backyard smokers? Do you ban those? How about smoker boxes on your gas barbeque? I can stink up my neighbourhood when I use hickory chips - you cant see smoke but you can sure smell it. Im sure some tight a$$ gets exicted about it.

Another contributing factor is the design of new neighbourhoods where you have so many houses crammed into a small area. You can walk out onto your deck and see into the backyards of all your neighbours. If one neighbour has a firepit it fills all the yards and just sorta sits there between the rows of houses.

I have a feeling that within 5 years we will unfortunately see a ban in calgary. One solution, at least for some, will be a natural gas firepit. We have both a real fire pit in our back yard but also a natural gas firepit built into our patio. The real firepit is still preferred but the natural gas pit is great for quick weeknight fires - its quick, no mess, no stink, and doesnt cost a lot to burn.

[North East Goon]

This question really depends on if you are a responsible fire pit owner or are like the young punks behind my house that have been burning 2 wood sheds they tore down for the past few months or if you are like my sisters neighbours who burned down half their adjoining fence due to burning wood that wasnt meant to be firewood? It's tough to pin-point the good from the idiots though! Maybe a permit would solve such problems!

[FlamesKickAss]

Originally Posted by FlamesKickAss

I didnt have a chance to read it but there was a headline in the sun that said 32 people have complained about fire pits. Really we are making a fuss about 32 people? (cant find it on the website either)

http://www.calgarysun.com/comment/co...03811-sun.html

found it! it was in the comment section in yesterdays sun.

In a city of one million, last year 32 people -- an absolutely astonishing .0032% -- complained to the city that the smoke from backyard fire pits made them feel ill.