Residential Street Improvements

Residential Street Improvements (Petition Process)
General Information

Under normal conditions, it is City of Toledo policy that you, the abutting property owner, decide if and when you want your street improved.  Only after a majority petition is received, based upon front footage of the abutting property, will the administrative and engineering machinery be put into motion, which will result in drainage, curbing and paving the central twenty-four (24) feet, or as specified in the petition.  Listed below is the progression of events which will lead to the complete new street project adjacent to your property.

1. Submission of 66% majority petition to the City Treasury Division.  This includes having the petition   notarized.  (City of Toledo, Division of Treasury, One Government Center, Suite 2000, Toledo, OH 43604)
2. Thirty (30) day notices sent to each property owner to allow time for their objections.
3. Council Referral which directs the Division of Engineering Services to place the particular project in the construction program.
4. Preparation of plans, specifications, estimates and legislation by the Division of Engineering Services. 
5. Resolution by City Council authorizing an assessment to be prepared and sent to the owners of the properties that will be benefited by the project. 
6. Board of Revision reviews financial and technical aspects in addition to reviewing any objections to or comments in favor of the project. 
7. Ordinance by City Council authorizing the awarding of a contract and assessments. 
8. Actual construction by the contractor.
9. Final acceptance and completion of the contract and project.

The City Charter provides that the City will assess only for that amount which directly benefits the abutting property owner.  The City, by Council policy, is required to pay a minimum of 15% of the cost of the property owner's share.  It is also the City's policy to pay the complete cost of the intersections, alley returns/approaches, and two-thirds (2/3) of the cost of the side lots.  In other words, if you live on a corner and your side street is being paved, it is the City's policy that you would be assessed only one-third (1/3) of the total cost per foot for the number of feet directly abutting the side yard right-of-way.

The assessment levied against you, the property owner, shall be payable in cash to the City Treasurer within thirty (30) days after the notification of the final costs of assessment from the Division of Treasury.  If you are unable to or unwilling to meet this 30-day financial requirement, an assessment will be levied against your property for a period of ten (10) years and will be shown on your semi-annual real estate tax duplicate.

It is felt that these policies will result in the most equitable approach for both you, the property owner, and the taxpayer, in general, who ultimately pay the City's share.

Please contact Mr. Robin Homer, Engineering Technician, at 419 245-1348 for further assistance.