Backstreet Boys singer uses metro Atlanta mansion as event venue, despite city opposition

The City of Milton told Brian Littrell he can’t have it that way

• By Sean Keenan
• on

Backstreet Boys member Brian Littrell seems to be taking to heart the lyrics of the boy band’s hit song, “I want it that way.”

The City of Milton shot down the singer’s application for a special-use permit that would have allowed him to use a rented mansion on Freemanville Road as an event space, but Littrell did just that, according to WSB-TV.

The group’s 1999 pop love song isn’t exactly about doing whatever you want, but Littrell has found himself in hot water with city officials for advertising the space as an event venue when it’s not supposed to be.

First issue: The land isn’t zoned as a place to host large-scale parties.

The Littrell family, which has lived in Milton for “over two decades and [is] fully committed in preserving its rich history,” responded to the accusations of impropriety in a statement the Backstreet Boy shared with WSB-TV.

“Any and all activities that have occurred at the Freemanville Estate have been private gatherings consisting of the Littrell’s friends and family,” the statement said.

Freemanville Estate/FB

Another complaint, per the TV station, involved a newly paved part of the property that has reportedly been billed as a space to park not just cars but private aircraft, especially helicopters.

It turns out that helicopters are notorious for spooking the horses Milton is famous for.

“The recently paved area at the Freemanville Estate was to add available parking for the Littrells’ guests. They have no plans to use this surface as a landing pad for any type of aircraft,” the statement continued.

As of July 25, Milton officials had not issued any citations against Littrell or anyone associated with Freemanville Estate.

The lack of repercussions might raise some eyebrows, especially considering Littrell reportedly tried to convince the city’s zoning manager that he was the property owner two years ago. (He’s not.)

How many events may have been hosted at the address is unclear. But a May 30 Facebook post by the Freemanville Estate page shows that Littrell’s 16-year-old son had a party there after releasing a single, and People magazine spotlighted the event.

I’m shocked that a cheesy 90s boy band star would live in the sophisticated enclave of Milton. Shocked I say!

By Martin714 on 07.30.19 8:52am

Helicopters? This has been boy band member has friends with helicopters? I’m impressed

By mrjim1 on 07.30.19 8:55am

Milton is pretty remote, they have to get supplies in there somehow.

By Martin714 on 07.30.19 9:17am

Illuminati

By PlainDane on 07.30.19 9:50am

I’m impressed a has-been in his 40’s still has a large enough fan base of 14 year old girls.

Who cares about what’s going on in Milton?

Mad lib of an article I did not expect to start my day with.

90s Boy Band / Atlanta Suburb / Aircraft

By 404Dylan on 07.30.19 9:32am

The Littrell family, which has lived in Milton for "over two decades and [is] fully committed in preserving its rich history,"

Milton was incorporated in 2006. What rich history?

I’d can’t think of anything that matters less than this.

By eRosewater on 07.30.19 10:23am

Yeah, certain things don’t exist in my world: Boy bands, reality TV and women’s basketball.

while the article is certainly silly with the entire Backstreet Boys angle, the issues like private property rights, government overreach, code enforcement, etc. are still very important to Atlanta and country as a whole

By ebadevil on 07.30.19 10:43am