DEL.ICIO.US'SWAMP OF DUNWOODY'
Owner of orange-and-blue house now looking to sell
Florida Gators theme was protest against Fulton’s rejection of his attempt to subdivide lot
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
The Swamp of Dunwoody is for sale — as is.
The Floridian who painted his home a Gators hue of orange-and-blue in 2005 is throwing in the towel.
Phil Skinner/pskinner@ajc.com
The ‘Swamp of Dunwoody’ will be put up for sale — as is. Owner Daryl Cook is abandoning a three-year protest against local government.
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Daryl Cook challenged, unsuccessfully, two government agencies that prevented him from subdividing his 1.2-acre house lot.
So he painted the exterior of his 1960s ranch in garish Florida Gators colors after Fulton County officials turned him down. He brought in concrete-alligator lawn ornaments and a live rooster, pigs and chickens to complete the protest.
In 2006, when the newly formed city of Sandy Springs voted him down, Cook sued, claiming he was deprived of property rights. Last week, a Fulton County Superior Court judge ruled for the city.
Cook, a civil engineer, says he’s had enough.
He plans to sell the Swamp, which is now a rental. “I’m tired and I’m done,” Cook said. “I hope everyone will either forgive me, or at least had a good laugh about it.”
Because the house is a likely tear-down, he won’t put any more money into it: No neutral beige paint for the million-dollar neighborhood. But the “Swamp of Dunwoody” sign soon will be replaced with something more appropriate.
“I’m going to put up a normal sign that says, This property is for sale.”
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Comments
By Mike D
Nov 6, 2008 6:31 AM | Link to this
This is an outrage.
..........
Can't they put the house on the National Register of Historic Places?
By Brown
Oct 17, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this
The house is on Dunwoody Club Road and Spalding Drive. I am sad to see the house go - I love taking people by the house to show them...
By Pam
Oct 15, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this
Many of you don't know the real story behind this guy. No other builder was allowed to do what he wanted to do with his property. I know this for a fact having formerly worked for a builder in the area and very familiar with Sandy Springs ordinances. He is not special, but wanted to be treated special and reacted just like a Gator fan would react - like an ***!
By kevin
Oct 15, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
On what street is the house located, I would like to see it myself
By Smells
Oct 15, 2008 5:02 AM | Link to this
Haha! This guy's spread is hilarious. I drive by the house every day and just laugh every time. It never gets old. I am amazed at the detail of the football field on the roof. Classic! We need more people who will challenge the establishment the way he did. Bravo!...Oh, and I really hate the Gators, but love the protest.
By urban design committee
Oct 15, 2008 1:01 AM | Link to this
Benjamin Franklin " Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one."
That quote is for the neighbors, your home prices have no security. Zoning laws cannot protect what you don't have. I'm a seminole fan,however I applaud this man's fight and disdain his apology. I leave you with this quote aimed at the zoning committee.
Committee - a group of men who individually can do nothing but as a group decide that nothing can be done.
By wes
Oct 14, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this
Good for this guy. Zoning laws are just more socialist government mandates that interupt our freedom. In the old days, when a man owned property, it actually belonged to him and he could do with it what he pleased, after all, he paid for it. Not his neighbors, not the government. Support freedom!!!
By wes
Oct 14, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this
Good for this guy. Zoning laws are just more socialist government mandates that interupt our freedom. In the old days, when a man owned property, it actually belonged to him and he could do with it what he pleased, after all, he paid for it. Not his neighbors, not the government. Support freedom!!!
By sickfan
Oct 14, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this
The City of Sandy Springs should be ashamed. They singled Cook out and treated him differently then all the other property owners who were allowed to have higher density lots. If Cook had been a big developer he would have gotten the zoning, but because he was just one person with a small request, they crushed him. Congratulations, Sandy Springs, I guess that's why you incorporated - to crush the little man! You people deserve your higher taxes and crappy city government.
By Mike
Oct 14, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this
31-0
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