A Fulton County Superior Court judge ordered a man tied to numerous house parties at a Buckhead mansion to stop using the home as an event space after Atlanta, residents and a councilman complained the parties have caused a disturbance for the past two years.
Olutosin Oduwole, 34, cannot hold events at the Garmon Road home or use the five-acre property for business purposes for the next 30 days, according to the order, which came two days before a bridal expo was scheduled to be held at the residence. Oduwole manages the property for his aunt and uncle, while they are in Nigeria. He was not in court when Judge Kevin M. Farmer issued the temporary restraining order on Friday.
“Residents are excited and hopeful that they’re going to be able to live in peace and not have a commercial operation disturbing them next door,” Atlanta Councilman J.P. Matzigkeit told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Online court records show Oduwole has been cited numerous times by the city for violating noise and zoning ordinances, including running a business in an area zoned for residences. Oduwole was also cited for illegally turning back on the water without the city of Atlanta’s permission. The city cut off water to the home in August, according to a complaint filed by the city.
The city filed the complaint on Oct. 18 with the court to prevent Oduwole from hosting more events at his home. The property has been used as an event space since December 2017, according to the complaint. The city alleges once Oduwole took control of the property, he began renting the home for parties and to musical acts.
It is estimated Oduwole grossed between $20,000 and $25,000 per party, which have included helicopter landings, fireworks, and loud music and marijuana and alcohol sales, according to the complaint.
Farmer sided with the city after it provided “sufficient evidence” Oduwole was running a business in a residential area, according to the order issued on Friday. A hearing in this case is scheduled for Nov. 14.
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Atlanta police are often called to the home regarding noise complaints, including one incident this summer that ended with Oduwole’s arrest. Police were called to the home Wednesday after neighbors complained of loud music and yelling.
Officers told a security guard they could hear loud music coming from the location and asked to speak with the owner, Atlanta police said. The security guard said he did not know who owned the home, but said it was occupied by a family.
Officers gave the guard a noise ordinance citation since he appeared to be the only person with access to the property, Atlanta police said.
The judge’s order came the same week an Atlanta Municipal Court judge issued an arrest warrant for Oduwole after he failed to appear in court Monday on noise complaint and obstruction citations. A hearing in that case is scheduled for Dec. 13.
Oduwole did not respond to requests for comment Saturday for this story, but he previously told the AJC “there is a huge misconception of there being parties there.” Oduwole said there have been two parties that have “gotten out of hand” in the past two years.
The home has been the subject of “party house” legislation sponsored by Matzigkeit. The legislation would ban party houses in residential areas and better enforce existing rules. It is illegal to use a residence for commercial purposes, so by charging an entrance fee, the house parties are considered illegal.
“Really, all we’re asking is for everyone to follow the law and conduct business in a commercial zone and live in a residential zone,” Matzigkeit said.
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