AVON LAKE, Ohio — City officials are asking residents to pay a bit more attention to the appearance of their yards.
After a few more complaints than usual were coming in, the city issued a public service announcement to residents and businesses alike, asking that they make sure their yards are maintained and reminding them that their front yard is not the city dump.
After only a month on the job, new full-time Property Maintenance Specialist Matthew Mahoney is asking folks to give their properties a little tender loving care.
He said most of the complaints coming in are tied to a lack of lawn maintenance, with some residents allowing their lawns to grow beyond what is typically acceptable.
And while he says at times there may be a legitimate reason for that, the city will only tolerate so much.
He added that while some neighbors are close enough friends to goad another neighbor into some lawn and landscape maintenance, most neighbors likely find that conversation awkward.
So they call the city instead to lodge a complaint.
“It’s summer season and folks are out and about, and honestly, the vast majority of folks in Avon Lake treat their lawns as if they were sacred grounds and are impeccable,” Mahoney said.
“But in some cases, we are seeing areas where lawns are not maintained or landscaping has gotten out of control.
“Perhaps there are dead trees and other eyesores, such as a lot of trash and debris. We want to get that addressed,” he said.
“This goes for commercial properties, too, and there may be some dispute between landlord and tenant as to which party is supposed to be maintaining the yards,” Mahoney said.
“We have some spots where the grass has grown over the sidewalks so far that the sidewalks are half the size they normally would be.
“And with folks walking the neighborhoods in the summer, they notice that more.”
Mahoney said the top complaints are about tall grass — with some folks throwing out the ubiquitous excuse that’s it’s too hot to mow.
In other cases, though, Mahoney said it may be a sign of a neighbor that may be in distress and unable to mow for a variety of reasons.
He said he’s also receiving a number of complaints about folks parking their boats or recreational vehicles where they shouldn’t.
Yet others treat the front yard like a storage bin.
Regardless of why, Mahoney said it’s a good idea to contact the city so they can work with the property owner, get to the heart of the matter and resolve any issues.
“That’s the bottom line: We just want folks to maintain and take some pride in their yards,” Mahoney said.
“We’re not looking to give anyone a hard time. If you can’t take care of your yard, hire someone. If you can’t hire someone and you can’t take care of your yard, you need to let someone know, because not taking care of your yard is not really an option.
“It’s part of home ownership.”
He said the issue is particularly acute on the east side of the city, known more for its older homes.
What he said has been a problem is homes that have been vacated or homes that are for sale that are sitting empty, with no one maintaining the yards.
There are also homes where the owner has recently passed away and there is no family that is local — thus no one to take care of the property.
Mahoney said that when someone contacts his office and registers a complaint, he goes out to the property in question, personally knocks on the door and tries to speak to someone about the situation.
He works to find out who lives there — if anyone — and who should be responsible for property maintenance.
If Mahoney is unable to contact someone, he leaves a notice at the door and asks them to get into contact with his office.
He said he usually gives them about a week to respond. He then notifies them again if there’s no contact and no action. Then, the city will give them a courtesy cut.
“One time,” Mahoney said. “I send out a violation notice and let them know what the city codes are, and lay out exactly what the problem is that needs to be addressed.
“After I send out a final notice, it could potentially go to the courts, but that’s only on extreme cases.
“We really, really try to work with them,” he continued. “I try to give someone ample time to get a situation addressed, and if they let me know they have this planned or that planned, I’m OK — just let me know.
“It’s just not fair to your neighbors who take great pride in their property.”
He added that there are currently only two active court cases in the city regarding property maintenance.
He also explained that if the city has to continue to mow or maintain a lawn, the city has a landscaper on contract who mows the lawn and an invoice is sent to the property owner.
Should they choose not to pay that invoice, a lien is placed on the property and assessed in the county taxes owed by the property owner.
“They’ll pay for it one way or another,” Mahoney said.
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