Officials detail citations after large, unpermitted Westchester pool party; neighbors press for faster enforcement

City Manager Jenna Ecker told the joint June 15 meeting of the Birmingham City Commission and the Planning Board that staff investigated an unpermitted pool party over the weekend and issued multiple citations for conduct, noise and zoning violations. "This was not an Airbnb or a VRBO or a short term rental," Ecker said, adding the event had been advertised as a commercial pool rental and that "our zoning ordinance does not allow private pools to be used for public events hosted by others in a single family residential neighborhood."

Capt. Simpson of the Birmingham Police Department, who described himself as the investigations captain, summarized the police response: officers received noise and traffic complaints beginning about 4 p.m., responded multiple times and recorded decibel readings that exceeded the municipal limit around 8:30 p.m. He said officers issued misdemeanor citations that included permitting a gathering of disorderly persons, breach of the peace and public nuisance violations, and that traffic enforcement with neighboring jurisdictions produced additional citations and one arrest. "We started getting noise complaints, traffic complaints, those sorts of things," Capt. Simpson said.

Building official Jeff Zilke said the property had three open building permits (pool, deck and a detached garage) and that the city issued violations to require correction: "A ticket was issued for the use of a pool as a commercial use," he said. Staff said the homeowner is currently out of town and additional enforcement steps will proceed when the owner returns.

Residents who live near the property described crowd sizes they estimated at 200 or more, blocked driveways and safety risks for children and emergency vehicles. "My kids couldn't use our front yard," said Sam Elnajar, who gave his address and said the neighborhood was "boarded up inside our homes" during the event. Other neighbors reported a hit‑and‑run and vehicles driving across lawns. Speakers asked why the event was not shut down sooner and whether police and code enforcement can coordinate more quickly.

Mayor and commission members acknowledged shortcomings and said staff are working to overlay police and code enforcement responses so zoning violations are identified and enforced more promptly. City Manager Ecker said correspondence regarding the host's volunteer role would follow and that the commission has the authority to remove appointed volunteers if warranted.

Next steps: staff will continue active enforcement of the identified citations and zoning violations, coordinate between police and code enforcement, and bring findings to the commission for any personnel or additional legal action.