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Residents urge action on chronic hoarding, property neglect in Mayfield Heights
Summary
Two residents told council they live next to a chronic hoarder whose property conditions — including accumulated junk, alleged sewage discharge and unpaid taxes — have persisted for years. They urged stricter code enforcement and clearer city action plans.
Two residents described long-running, localized public-health and nuisance problems at the Sept. 8 meeting of the Mayfield Heights City Council, urging the council to use stronger enforcement tools against neighbors they say are chronically neglecting their properties.
Tina Ruchi, who gave her address as 1181 Sunset Road, said her next-door neighbor "is a hoarder who feeds wild animals," producing an overwhelming odor and an unsafe environment outside her bedroom window. She said the service department removed about half the debris after complaints, that building-department enforcement has been inconsistent, and that court delays and leniency for elderly homeowners have hampered cleanup. "I am asking for leadership, policy, and action," Ruchi said.
Robert Steidahar, who said he lives at 6597 Kingswood Drive, recounted buying his house and later discovering a neighbor identified in the record as Andrew Payto operating what Steidahar called a junkyard on a residential lot. Steidahar alleged multiple building-department orders, a roll-off dumpster left unused for months, unpaid 2024 property taxes, and a prior 2023 incident he described as raw sewage discharge that led to condemnation proceedings he said nevertheless left the property occupied. "This man should be charged with violations of zoning code," Steidahar said, calling for the council to pursue stronger enforcement, including referral for tax foreclosure or other legal remedies.
Council members did not take formal action during the public-comment period. The presiding officer closed the public portion after the two lengthy comments and moved on to the evening's motions and committee reports.
Background and legal context
Both speakers referenced city enforcement and state law. At the meeting a speaker cited the Ohio Revised Code in describing definitions for "junk" and junkyards; residents repeatedly called for the city to enforce its zoning code and to use existing legal remedies such as citations or tax-foreclosure referrals. The council did not announce new legislation or specific enforcement actions during the Sept. 8 meeting.
Next steps
Residents said they will continue to follow up with the city. Council members did not schedule a public-agenda item at the Sept. 8 meeting to review hoarding-specific ordinances or an enforcement timeline.
