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But what about the run-on sentence? Surely that’s a code violation of some sort.
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
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
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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
Wow.
sick burn, brah.