Residents of Hollywood Estates deliver petition asking city to resume entryway maintenance

Residents of Hollywood Estates asked the City Council on Aug. 4 to resume maintenance of the community’s front entrance and provided a petition signed by 245 households.

Joan Connolly introduced the petition during public forum, told council she represents residents who want the city to resume responsibility for the neighborhood entrance and said the matter originated when a voluntary HOA accepted maintenance without broader community input. “We as the community would like to return to the original status of the city of West Melbourne to maintain our entryway,” Connolly said on the record.

Resident Paul Lilybridge described a history of volunteer maintenance and said recent plantings he and others consider unsuitable have drawn criticism from neighbors. He said volunteers previously maintained the entrance with the city’s permission but that changes were made without broad community notice.

City Manager Rohde and the city attorney said they had not previously been asked to analyze the documents and offered to review property records and correspondence. Rohde asked petitioners to leave copies (or digital copies) of the petition and supporting documents with the city clerk; petitioners were told staff would examine ownership and any prior agreements, and report back.

The city attorney cautioned that the city generally does not maintain privately owned property but said staff would research the record to determine ownership and any prior commitments. Councilmember Frampus and other members encouraged staff to coordinate with residents and with the veterans group that had earlier maintained a memorial area.

No formal council action was taken that evening; staff will follow up and advise the petitioners on next steps after a records review.