There are few things worse than having a nice long walk or run through your neighborhood disrupted by tripping on a cracked, deteriorated, or misaligned sidewalk. Not only does this sidewalk threaten your safety, but it also decreases the neighborhood's beauty. To combat this problem, the City of Westerville conducts an annual sidewalk repair program.
Each year an area of the City is targeted for the program with the goal of covering the entire City every 5 years.
In Westerville, like most communities across the country, the property owner is responsible for the maintenance of the sidewalk abutting their properties. In Ohio, state law provides for this practice on the premise that property owners get the most benefit from the walk because it is available for their use and it enhances a property's value. So in most cases, when it comes to making repairs, property owners are responsible.
The City’s Public Service department inspectors review the sidewalks in the targeted area during the months of March and April and mark the sections (also known as panels) that must be replaced or repaired. The criteria for repair were established by City Council and have been used for several years. If the damaged walk is the result of a city tree or is part of an accessible ramp, then the inspectors will mark the sidewalk panels with an “O” using white paint and the City is responsible for both the repairs and the cost of repairs.
If the inspectors determine that the cost of the repair is the property owner’s responsibility, then the damaged sidewalk panels will be marked with an “X” using white paint and the property owner will receive a notice in June from the City. The notice will be mailed and will include an explanation of the markings; a diagram of the required work; an estimated cost; and an explanation of the homeowner’s options for completing and paying for the repairs.
Generally, residents have two options for repairing the sidewalks:
First, the property owner can make their own repairs. The work must comply with the plans and specifications included with the notification letter, and must be completed by end of September. A sidewalk repair permit is required. A permit fee of up to $100 for the City’s Building Inspector’s services during construction may also be required. The homeowners may do the work themselves or hire a contractor to complete the repairs.
The second option for sidewalk repair is to do nothing upon receipt of the notice and have the City’s contractor do the work. The City pays the contractor for the actual cost of the work which will be completed by the following April.
An invoice will be mailed to the homeowner in May which will be based on the City’s actual cost of completing and inspecting the repairs which includes the restoration of the lawn area. The homeowner may make a full, partial, or no invoice payment to the City by June 30. A homeowner’s remaining unpaid balance will be forwarded to the appropriate County Auditor’s office. The balance, plus interest will be assessed to their property taxes over the following five years.
Sidewalk repair is a vital part of neighborhood pride and the residents should remember that the program ties into community pride as well. If everyone does their part, improvements will be a lot easier. Any property owner that has questions about the program should contact the Sidewalk Hotline, (614) 901-6757. You may also e-mail questions or comments to sidewalks@westerville.org