Bill on vegetation removal passes

Townships would be allowed to remove obstacles on private property that block travelers’ sight lines.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR

COLUMBUS — The Ohio House approved legislation that would enable townships to remove trees, bushes and other vegetation that block drivers’ views along public roads.

Substitute House Bill 470 was sponsored by Rep. Arlene Setzer, a Republican from the Dayton area. The bill now heads to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.

Townships already have a duty to maintain roads, including removing vegetation as warranted. State law, however, prohibits township workers from entering private property to remove trees, bushes and other plants that block travelers’ sight lines, Setzer said.

HB 470 would enable a township, upon a determination by the county engineer that vegetation on private property interferes with motorists, to notify and require property owners to remove such vegetation.

On properties where owners do not comply, townships would have the ability to use their workers to remove the trees and plants and charge the property owners for the costs, via county auditors tax bills.

The final vote, taken Tuesday, was 89-2, with Rep. Kathleen Chandler opposed. The Kent Democrat said there are mechanisms in state law already to deal with vegetation issues, and the proposed legislation amounted to a taking of private property rights.

“If there is a problem with shrubbery or greenery, on private property, you can buy an easement, negotiate for that,” she said. “If the property owner is not cooperative, you can go to court.”

She added the bill would allow townships to go on private property, cut down the tree and then charge the property owner for the removal. “That doesn’t seem right or fair,” Chandler added.