Stow City hearing gives resident until the 24th to clear trailer and debris at 1597 Robin Lane

The Stow City Administrative Hearing Board told the resident occupying 1597 Robin Lane on the record that the property must be cleared of a trailer and surrounding debris by the 24th or the city may remove the materials and assess the costs to the property owner, the board Chair said during an administrative hearing.

Jamie, planning department staff, told the board that the zoning inspector received multiple complaints in early May and visited the property on May 12 to document items. The law department issued a final notice on June 4 with a June 12 compliance date; a follow-up inspection on June 17 showed debris and a trailer still in the driveway, Jamie said.

The order matters because neighbors had complained that storage and piles of materials were visible from the street. Planning staff walked the board and the resident through photos of the driveway and side yard, identifying a utility trailer, pallets, building materials, a grill, a camp chair and other items. Jamie said some items — for example an operating grill and certain outdoor mats — are not automatically 'junk,' but that visible piles and stacked pallets needed removal.

The resident, who identified himself as Jason and said he occupies the property, told the board he intended to remove many items but that his mobility has been "seriously affected" by ongoing medical treatment. "I'm in for treatments twice a week, and they zap me for about 48 hours every time I go in," he said. The resident asked for more time to complete the cleanup.

The Chair acknowledged the resident's medical situation and said the board would be accommodating but must set a deadline. "You have till the 24th to have it cleaned. If it's not clean by that date, we will have the city go out and clean it itself," the Chair said. The Chair added that if the resident called planning and requested a pre-inspection once cleanup was complete, inspector Molly would re-inspect so the resident would not be surprised by the city's determination.

The board said there would be no fines or city-imposed cleanup costs as long as the property met the agreed cleanup standard by the reinspection date; if the property remained noncompliant after the reinspection, the city could undertake cleanup and charge the owner. The Chair also advised the resident of appeal rights, saying a party may file a notice of appeal to the board and pursue review in common pleas court.

The hearing concluded with the board saying it would issue a written opinion by mail that reiterates the compliance terms and next steps. The matter is scheduled for reinspection on the 24th; the resident was advised to contact planning earlier if additional time is needed because of medical treatment.