Huber Ridge Area

Dear neighbor,

Our Township presently has two code enforcement systems in place; Blendon Township adopted code enforcement in 2009, and we still fall under Franklin County code enforcement.  Inoperable vehicles are prohibited.  If the vehicle is operable and it is on the property, then ask Joe Baily or Bryan Rhoads what can be done.  I believe the vehicle you may referring to is on the property between the houses.  I suspect the proximity of the vehicle to the other property may be an issue.

Joe Baily of Franklin County Economic Develpoment and Planning is our contact.  He can be reached via phone 614-525-3094.  Best time to get him is before 8:45 or after 3:30 because he is usually out to do his job.  Or, you may email him at jbbailey@franklincountyohio.gov

Email Bryan at Bryan.Rhoads@blendontwp.org.

Sorry I took so long to respond.  I have had your post on my mind, but have been very busy.  I appreciate your desire when you wrote, "Let's get our community back to the way it looked new in 1962!!"  What do you suppose it will take to accomplish that excellent goal?

Sincerely,

Pam Clegg

 First try to get the Huber rentals to be bought by people who want to own and keep their own properties in good condition. STOP RENTING! We were NOT a rental property area when we first were proposed. If we continue to rent, values of our homes will continue to drop. It's that simple! We already pay outragious water and sewer. Why should we have to look at properties that these renters care nothing about? Long grass, 10 non-working cars, bushes overgrowing. I'm sure I will get grief for this, But come as it may.

It would be a sad commentary on our community if you were to receive grief for wanting basic care of the community.  What you are asking residents to do, [cut] long grass,  [remove] 10 non-working cars, [stop] bushes overgrowing, should be expected of any owner or renter.

Although I have lived in the community 24 plus years, I admit I do not know the beginning history of how the Huber rentals became so prevalent.  There are approximately 110 Huber home rentals in the neighborhood.  To be fair, many of the issues I have been asked to report and have reported because of code violations are not the result of a Huber home rental.  Some are indeed rentals, but others are owners.

Some communities have stringent rental home regulations.  That may be something our township trustees could consider.  But we also have code enforcement that should do what it was intended to do.

Best of all, we have a community of people that should be caring enough to do what is best for all.  Any resident can check the code regulations on the Blendon Township website to see if he or she is meeting code.  Checking the codes has helped me prioritize projects.  I have work to do!

To save some the time in checking the codes you mentioned, we have already said in many posts that inoperable vehicles are prohibited.  Why?  For one, the vehicles become habitats for rats and mice.  And that reason alone is good enough for me.  We have already said in other posts that long grass (long is defined as 8 inches or more) is prohibited.  Why?  Long grass encourages/spreads weeds, allows rabbits and mice a habitat, becomes difficult to mow, and more.  Overgrown bushes encourage insect proliferation such as mosquitoes.  They also provide a place for criminals to hide.  They can look sloppy.

May we all do our part to make this community a clean, caring one.

Warm Regards,

Pam