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Council rejects accepting Euclid Avenue easement after debate over city plowing private drive
Summary
An ordinance to accept a highway easement at 22825 Euclid Avenue and to take on related maintenance drew debate about whether the city should plow and salt a private driveway for businesses; the council voted the ordinance down.
WICKLIFFE, Ohio — During its March 10 meeting the Wickliffe City Council debated and then rejected Ordinance 2025-02, which would have accepted a highway easement for a portion of property at 22825 Euclid Avenue. Discussion centered on whether city maintenance would extend to plowing and salting a private drive serving businesses, and whether accepting the easement set an unwanted precedent.
The ordinance was moved by Councilman Madala and seconded by Councilman Saloto. Supporters described the measure as a modest safety improvement and a goodwill action tied to recent commercial investment; Councilman Bailey said the cost would be minimal compared with the benefits of supporting businesses, noting it would take only a short time to run the route during snow events.
Opponents argued accepting the easement would require residents to subsidize a private driveway and could open the door to requests from other private property owners. Councilman Gerhardtstein said, “I don't think in any way should the residents be paying to have any part of private property plowed or salted at the expense of the residents.” Other members raised concerns about fairness and the city’s existing snow‑removal priorities.
The clerk called the roll and recorded these votes: Bailey — Yes; Gerhardtstein — No; Dworsen — No; Koski — No; LaVonne — No; Saludo — Yes; Sealman — Yes. After the roll call the clerk announced the ordinance failed.
Council discussion referenced the investment businesses have brought to the area and the trade‑offs for economic development; supporters asked council to consider goodwill toward incoming employers, while opponents warned of a potential precedent for future private maintenance requests.
