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Neighbors raise stink over yard's portable potty
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Not pleased: A portable toilet sits in the front yard of a residence in Mesa where some neighbors have complained about the bright blue mobile potty.
Ralph Freso, Tribune
Neighbors are complaining about it, but Patricia Felix says the bright blue portable toilet in her Mesa front yard is a necessity.
She says her large extended family has so many parties that they got the toilet. She said she just doesn't like so many people using the inside facilities.
Since May, the enclosed toilet has been in the front yard - on the side next to the barbecue grill.
"We use it for parties," she said. A friend helps empty and clean it, and at times it is loaned to other family members for their parties. "We used to rent it before. We have a big family."
Felix added Wednesday that if any residents have a problem with it, her family will consider moving it to the backyard. It's up front, she said, because there are dogs in the backyard that could get loose if her family goes back there to use the bathroom.
Residents living along that stretch of Lynwood Street, near McKellips Road and Mesa Drive, street said they didn't like having the portable potty on display, though people the Tribune spoke to on Wednesday added they didn't think it made the street smell.
"It shouldn't be there," said neighbor Charlie Warren. "I know a lot of neighbors are griping about it. It really doesn't bother me. I don't like to interfere in other people's business."
Mike Renshaw, Mesa's code compliance director, said a code inspector had been sent to the house in June and investigated a code violation in which a canopy stretched too far from the house. That case has since been closed with the city, but the code officer contacted Maricopa County environmental health officials about the toilet, and a case has been opened for the county.
The city only deals with portable toilets when giving out special permits for events, but the home has never received a city permit for a portable unit, Renshaw said.
Renshaw said in the year he's worked for Mesa, he's never heard of other problems involving portable toilets in residential front yards.
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