I wouldn't want that in my neighborhood either.

It would have been interesting to get Eli's parents' opinion. After all, it's their house! I suppose there are worse things your kid can do to your house while you are away, than constructing an eyesore in the front yard.

"Inquiry from a neighbor" yeah right...let the dude grow his tomatoes

OMG it's a giant funny eyesore that's potentially dangerous. I like the "idea" but if he can't do it in the back yard he shouldn't. Too funny!

I think this is very creative, a little quirky, and wonderfully participatory. There should be leniency for such a fun project...no harm, no foul. Newton should give them a quick permit just for this growing season, and revisit the project for next year.

No good deed goes unpunished. I love how neighbors get to decide what you can/can't have in YOUR front yard. Makes one want to move to a cabin in the woods.

I was going to complain about Newton over stepping, but then i saw the photograph. This looks so tacky.

A 'green' couple in Burlington VT had the same problem with a 'hoop house' erected on their front lawn. If the codes in fact address 'any structure' then these temporary eyesores are in the realm of regulated edifices. While many applaud the green intentions of these folks, community standards expressed in the building codes should take precedent. If they put the buckets on the ground, there would be no problem. Hanging them from that rack thing is really ridiculous. What is the point of doing it that way????

Eli My suggestion is that you hang your tomatoes from those planter hooks from Home Depot that you sink into the ground, and that have a hook at the top. I think they would have to constitute some sort of landscaping accessory rather than a structure. Good luck. It always amazes me how city ordinances impede the entrepreneurial farmer!

I think Eli was trying not to kill his Dad's lawn and shrubs with the multitude of buckets.

Why couldn't he have put it in the back yard? Suppose we get a nor'easter while he's got that contraption up? It'd be great having all those flying projectiles whizzing through the neighborhood, and his PARENTS would be held responsible, because it's on their property. Why didn't he put this up at his own house? Up to a dozen: whimsical. Over 30: tacky.

Do the Newton 'run your life' nannies allow Santa sleds or creches in the front yard at Christmas? Do they allow rose bushes to climb the front of a house? Do they allow those lunar powered lights to line sidewalks that lead to the front door? How can the city stick an exception to its building regulatiuons that favors a particular group with a sukkoth thingie? Seems to me that this guy, Eli, is a bit wacky and should really be living somewhere in the wilds of Florida (Mass.). But tomatoes are nice, friendly plants, and Eli wants to do something good with them, even uses the plants as a sort of "decor" for his yard. If his neighbors don't seem to mind... do, in fact, seem to support his tomato farming... then the building inspector needs to go look at a few of the run down buildings that certainly dot the back streets in Newton Corner or Auburndale or Newton Center, instead of trying to figger a way to bring $300/day fines into a city that can afford a $200 million high school.

I was sympathetic and felt he should get a one time variance permission, but when I read on and saw his attitude, I am sorry, Katzoff, but you are "too in your face" about it and now I am not in your court.

Building inspector's job is to enforce the law. He's right. Get a special permit or move it to backyard.

This is not a new idea. Growing tomatoes upside-down isn't typical, but not rare either. The plastic buckets with the hole in the bottom are commercial products made for that purpose and readily available. It's certainly nothing innovative and the structure is ugly. I wouldn't consider laws that protect the value of people's property as being a nanny state. Imagine trying to sell you home with that monstrosity next door. Why not the backyard where it wouldn't be seen from the street? There was no attempt at minimizing the impact -- such as painting the structure green and other than red pots. I think Mr. Katzoff is purposely trying to draw attention to himself. It's some kind of ego trip.

The guy checks with the city, and someone tells him it's ok. So he goes ahead, and then the city lands on him like a ton of bricks. Government run amok. Petty bureaucrats. Why didn't they tell him what the rules are in the first place????

Why are you always so negative. You must be a very unhappy person -- and arrogant too. Is it possible that YOU are one of "the people that society no longer needs"?

Not to mention that a strong windstorm would probably heavily damage the tomato plants and could turn a pot into a missile. Do we ever have high winds in Massachusetts?

Maybe your next door neighbor should start storing junk cars or cow manure in his front yard to test you tolerance of people doing whatever they want on their property. I think that would definitely make you want to move.