Mayor Bob Stefanik is on a roll. He is working to help to promote the aesthetics of the city, on a residential and commercial basis. “If you don’t address this now, it spreads. We’re not going to let that happen.”
The city has been pro-active on the issue of residents and businesses keeping up the looks of their properties through the offering of various programs, such as the Heritage Home Program and other funding mechanisms for home improvement. He is also taking those to task who do not maintain their properties according to the city’s various codes.
“We are really stepping it up this year,” he said. The city’s Safety Director is tasked with sending out letters to residents and businesses who have not kept their properties up. Stefanik said they have sent out hundreds of letters. “Once we send them out, we’re getting about 95% compliance,” he said.
North Royalton Safety Director, Bruce Campbell, said that the letters sent include a copy of the building code violation in question and photos of the issues at hand. Campbell said that a good number of the letters are regarding grass cutting and yard cleanup of overgrown landscaping. Depending upon the violation, there will be a number of days that the changes have to be made, as directed by the city’s ordinances. He said that one letter will be sent, then a final letter. If there is no communication, or if the problem is not rectified, then fines could result.
Stefanik said that although they are trying to be pro-active, the city is willing to work with residents. He said that some of the city’s senior citizens may have trouble correcting a problem. “We try to link them to find help,” said Stefanik. “We give time where time is needed, or when there’s a good reason.”
Cuyahoga county offers several programs to help residents maintain their homes at an affordable price. “We believe that all Cuyahoga County residents deserve clean, safe, and attractive neighborhoods in which they can live, work, and raise a family.” The following programs are designed to help all Cuyahoga County residents maintain and upgrade the quality of their homes, some programs have income or community restrictions:
The Home Enhancement Loan Program (HELP) allows homeowners to borrow money for home repair or remodeling projects. HELP has no restrictions on a borrower’s income and few limitations on what improvements can be made to a property. Single-family, two-family, and multi-family dwellings are eligible. Single and two-family dwellings must have a tax value of less than $250,000. There is no tax value limit on multi-family dwellings. Eligible types of home repairs include alterations, repairs, maintenance, or improvements. Loans may also be used for code violation compliance and property upgrades. Applications are available at any bank branch of these participating banks: Key Bank and Huntington Bank. For additional information, please call 216-443-2149.
Heritage Home Loan Program is offered through a partnership with the city, Cuyahoga County and the Cleveland Restoration Society to help provide the funds you need to modernize your older home and make energy efficiency improvements. Home must be 50 years or older. Eligible types of home repairs include Electrical, HVAC/furnace, plumbing, roof, kitchen/bath renovation, insulation, window, basement waterproofing, masonry, painting, compatible additions, finishing attic. Properties must be valued at less than $750,000. Properties with a value between $500,000 and $750,000 are eligible for exterior improvements only. For additional questions, contact the Cleveland Restoration Society at (216) 426-3116.
PHOTO CAPTION: Springtime high on a friendly hill. Tree lawns lined with trees in bloom create a beautiful picture in North Royalton Developments. Although April was quite wet, this picturesque scene on a sunny day was captured from the top of Harley Hills Drive looking west.
By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer