A prestigious road in Bradenton is now home to a very patriotic house.
Brent Greer, who lives on Riverview Boulevard, recently painted the outside of his house red, white and blue. Greer said he decided to turn his home into the American flag to send a message.
“I want to remind people this is America,” he said. “This is the home of the free, and I’m not changing because I have some zoning ordinance that doesn’t like the way I express myself.”
Greer grew up in the 100-year-old home and now lives there with his wife and seven adopted children. He said they changed the color of their house after getting into a dispute with the city’s code enforcement.
A few months ago, code enforcement officers said they went to the home acting on an anonymous tip.
“Late February, we received a complaint about a dead Christmas tree on the balcony,” said Volker Reiss, Community Services and Code Compliance Manager for City of Bradenton.
Reiss said his officers asked the family to remove it and they complied.
Greer said to his surprise, they were told about more violations.
“He sent out a list of all these things and I was like, 'Are you kidding me?'” said Greer.
The city sent Greer a two page letter, listing several violations at the home. Some of the issues were about missing window screens, painting, pressure washing, loose railings, and trash on the property.
Greer said while everything was upsetting, one complaint made him furious. He said he was told his home’s exterior painting was not up to city standards.
“This is a house where a family lives and plays, and it’s my house,” Greer said.
The Greers do not live in a deed-restricted community. He said he feels like he’s being treated as if he does.
Greer was told if he did not fix everything, he would face a $250 a day fine.
He feels the city is picking on him for cosmetic issues.
Reiss said it’s more of a safety issue.
“We ensure that properties are up to code and safe to live in and for neighborhood,” said Reiss.
Greer said he’s not happy about the way things have been handled. Although he’s already fixed a lot on the home, he’s hoping the city will back off.
However, he said he won’t be changing the color of the house.
“It started off as a statement and that’s way I’m going to keep it,” said Greer. “I’m not going to paint over it, I like it.”
Reiss said that’s not a problem and he's free to paint his home whatever color he chooses.
The city plans to inspect the home again on June 16.
If it isn't up to code, the Greer’s will be scheduled for a hearing the next day, June 17.