West Asheville property owner responds to complaints, trims up lot

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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Here’s the note from Kevin Wei. He’s responding to neighbor’s complaints, and my column, regarding the state of his property on Sulphur Springs Road.

Jason,

I just knew about your article complaining that the grass and shrub at 22 Sulphur Spring were too long. It appears that you published the article the same day that you called my attention to the long grass and I promised to check it. I had it cut a couple of days later. Please go to check it to see whether it looks fine to you now for an undeveloped lot. I don’t know whether you understand that most undeveloped lots are left in its natural state and vegetation cover (good for the environment and not wasting money). Do you or some people you know have interest in buying, working on the property? Your article gave the impression that you don’t have much work or important things to write about than complaining about grass too long on an undeveloped lot and that there are a lot of un-employed people I should put into employment but it appears that you do not understand or care about that realtors and home builders suffered much more in this hard-hit market and you could and should help also. I’d appreciate any help you could provide.

Kevin

21 Sulphur Springs before

sidewalk at 21 Sulphur Springs

After

Broken glass remains on the property.

Backstory here.

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

  • 1

11 Comments

  1. Miss Daisy August 3, 2012

    But what about the run-on sentence? Surely that’s a code violation of some sort.

    Reply
  2. Josaphine August 3, 2012

    You may want to review the city ordinance on this. The burden of sidewalk maintenance is on the city not the property owner, the city owns the sidewalk and has a right-of-way for the first fifty feet into an adjacent property. While it is a courtesy to maintain the grass and trash removal in the area along a sidewalk or roadway, where ones property sits, it is not a requirement…

    Josaphine Renquist, PhD

    Reply
    1. Jennifer Saylor August 3, 2012

      Josaphine, have a look at this link. It’s honestly not clear to me, but it does seem to indicate that keeping sidewalks clear is the owner’s responsibility. Can anyone weigh in? http://www.ashevillenc.gov/departments/streetservices.aspx

      Reply
      1. Josaphine August 3, 2012

        Ms. Saylor, Your observation is very true for properties in the Central Business District. Pursuant to my conversation with Public Works Director Cathy Ball, PE in the case of sidewalks adjacent to NCDOT owned/maintained roads, responsiblity and maintenance is an item of “good citizenship.” Homes and businesses in the core of Asheville along streets maintained by the City are charged to keep the sidewalks cleared within reason as the City does not have the resources to maintain these areas in a timely manner, those plantings done by the City are not public maintained so she states. The property and roadway in discussion is a a NCDOT maintained roadway and is deeded with a 50′ right-of-way from the center of Sulphur Springs; the NCDOT is charged to mow into this property twice yearly. While typically this maintenance is completed by the property owner the NCDOT has the burden to keep this area maintained. Kevin Wei has no legal requirement to clean the sidewalk of broken glass and or weeds unless he elects too.

        Reply
        1. Jennifer Saylor August 6, 2012

          Josaphine, I contacted City of Asheville Street and Engineering Manager Greg Shuler today.

          Here’s my question:
          “I have a question about sidewalks in a residential neighborhood,
          specifically Sulphur Springs in West Asheville. Is it the property
          owner’s responsibility, or the city’s, to keep sidewalks clear of
          plant overgrowth and debris?”

          Here is Shuler’s response:
          “Property owners are required to keep the sidewalk adjacent to their property clear of vegetation, debris, silt, snow, sand etc. The City is responsible for the structural aspect of sidewalk maintenance.”

          Reply
  3. Pat August 2, 2012

    I live in West Asheville and my wife walks past that mess on the sidewalk most everyday. She came close to getting hit by a vehicle trying to go around it. West Asheville along Sulphur Springs is a hot bed for walkers. Hey, Kevin, instead of being a smart-ass to Jason, how about learning the neighborhood where your property (not you??) sits. Respect.

    Reply
  4. Ken August 2, 2012

    Poor, Kevin. It’s so sad he owns property. Some folks are lucky enough not to be burdened so. Perhaps he would like to set up a camp for the homeless in exchange for landscaping, trash pick up and security services.

    Reply
  5. Kelly August 2, 2012

    The neighborhood is not complaining as much about the overgrown lot as much as the fact that the landowner is negligent by not keeping the sidewalks overgrown with weeds and glass. As homeowners in this small community, we are held accountable to keep our land mowed and sidewalks clear – and that is all we are asking this man to do. This is a walking neighborhood for lots of kids on bikes,parents with strollers, and dogs! Having to go off the sidewalk onto a busy street because it is impassable is not safe. Kevin seems pretty defensive about the neighbors requests. Bummer – but sometimes it takes a public article written to make something happen.

    Reply
  6. Lindsey August 2, 2012

    My dad lives like a block away from that site. I would have to say that it looks a lot better now being a empty lot than it ever did with the run down house on the property. Also I’m pretty sure that broken glass has been there since like ’93, lol I remember it clearly from walking by when I was younger! Jk

    Reply
  7. Miss Daisy August 1, 2012

    Wow.

    Reply
  8. mustacheville August 1, 2012

    sick burn, brah.

    Reply

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