Nosy Neighbors

Do-gooder, Janis Riley of Richardson is mad. A reporter from the Dallas Morning News in tow, she treks down the street and stands in front of a neighbor's front yard to point out the source of her anger. Her neighbor's house sports a wide circular driveway. Down the side of is another long driveway stretching from the street to the back yard. You see, Ms. Riley is upset that her neighbor's yard doesn't have enough grass to suit her. "It's a blight on our neighborhood is what it is," she tells the News. "It's an eyesore." An eyesore? Obviously, Ms. Riley has never been to south Dallas. Now a sensible person might suggest that as a retired auditor, Ms. Riley just has too much time on her hands. But a number of people in her north Dallas seem to agree with her.

About 35% of the homes in Richardson were built before 1970. Most of these are in the 1,200- to 1,800-square-foot range, with a one-car garage. The homes were considered solidly middle class back then. But in an age when teenagers grow up believing that having their own car is an inalienable right, the homes and especially the garages are considered small. So a lot or citizens adapt by paving bigger driveways to keep the childlin's cars off the street. This has raised the ire of local meddlers and apparently some city leaders. The Richardson City Council plans to take up the issue of yard paving as part of a series of ordinances designed to keep up the appearance of neighborhoods.