Multiple Grandview Heights residents told the council Monday that long-established tree-lawn and front-yard plantings are valuable to neighborhood character and pollinators and that enforcement of the right-of-way planting rules has been inconsistent.

Mimi McKenzie, Rebecca Dunaway, Audra Wheeler and Cindy Byington each described gardens and tree-lawn plantings they and neighbors maintain and said the ordinance language and notice process have caused confusion. Byington said she received a city notice to remove plants that had been in place for years and alleged the action stemmed from an anonymous complaint and selective notification.

Director John Maxwell responded that complaints prompt staff review, notices had been sent, and the city identified conflicting language between the planting section of the code and the right-of-way ordinance. Maxwell recommended placing enforcement in abeyance for the next couple of months and returning to council with clearer, community-informed recommendations in the winter so residents and council can resolve ambiguities.

Council members asked administration to follow up with speakers and to use the pause period to draft clearer language and a public process. No formal ordinance change was adopted at the meeting; the action is administrative direction to pause enforcement and prepare recommendations.