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Royal Valley residents ask city to reverse or remedy sidewalk citations, citing city-planted trees
Summary
Residents of Royal Valley told the North Royalton Streets Committee that roughly 71 homes received citations for uneven sidewalks they say were caused by city-planted trees; they asked the city to revisit violations and clarify whether the HOA initiated inspections.
Dozens of Royal Valley homeowners accused North Royalton of issuing sidewalk violations for conditions they say were caused by street trees planted by the city, and asked the Streets Committee on June 2 to rescind or relieve citations.
At a public-comment period, Cheryl Geer (9953 Royal Valley) said trees planted by the city years ago have raised sidewalk slabs and left homeowners facing repair bills. “It seems unjust that the city through its ordinances have abdicated their responsibility for the improper planting of the trees and are holding the homeowner responsible for something that they had no control over,” Geer said. She asked the city to remove the violations for properties where the tree roots have damaged sidewalks.
Another resident, Kristina Randjelavic (9836 Silverleaf Drive), asked the committee to confirm whether the neighborhood homeowners association initiated the inspection process, saying residents were surprised to learn of the citations. “I would like to have confirmation if possible … if someone could get back to me that this process was initiated by our Homeowners Association,” Randjelavic said.
Councilman Gary Petrusky, whose ward includes Royal Valley, raised the scale of the enforcement: he said about 71 homes were cited and asked for clarity on why the city pursued those violations and whether the city or the HOA started the process. Service Director Kevin Nekl and Mayor Paul F. Marnecheck said the administration would investigate the timeline and the chain of events and follow up with Petrusky and residents.
The committee did not vote on the complaints during the meeting; Chair David Quolke moved to remove the Royal Valley item from the evening’s agenda so staff could pursue the matter further and report back. Mayor Marnecheck said he was not previously aware of the issue and pledged to look into whether the city or the HOA initiated the inspections.
Why this matters: Sidewalk repair ordinances shift costs to homeowners in many municipalities; if the tree planting that caused damage was a city action, residents say the city should consider relief measures. The committee directed staff to investigate and return with findings and options.
The administration will report back to Council after reviewing records and speaking with the neighborhood and the service department; the item was removed from the committee agenda to allow time for that follow-up.
