DPW HWYS Shelley F assigned this issue to DPW HWYS M. Wolf

Damage appears to be due to a private tree falling on private property. All repairs to the public right of way are the responsibility of the property owner at 9331 Gentle Folk. Forwarding request to Highways office for property owner notification.

DPW HWYS M. Wolf assigned this issue to DPW HWYS Office

Good morning M.Wolf. Thank you for your note. Damage is caused solely by the roots of the trees. Does that apply to responsibility of the county?

Good afternoon,

County Code 18.402(a) reads: It shall be the duty and obligation of the owner of property abutting a public right‐of‐way to maintain the abutting sidewalk ... within the public right‐of‐way in such condition as to be safe for public use. However, if the sidewalk has been damaged solely by the roots of trees in the County right‐of‐way ... then it shall be the responsibility of the County to replace or repair the sidewalk damaged by the tree roots...

In this case, the tree responsible for the sidewalk damage was not a "tree in the County right of way", but rather a privately owned tree located on private property...that is to say...outside of the County right of way.

As such, this location will not qualify for County repairs, but will be the responsibility of the abutting property owner at 9331 Gentle Folk. Thank you for your inquiry.

DPW HWYS Danny M assigned this issue to DPW HWYS Mayfield (east)

Thank you for submitting your request to the Howard County Department of Public Works. Our staff will investigate this issue and respond.

Thank you so much.

This issue was addressed but never closed.

Thank you for contacting the Howard County DPW Bureau of Highways. This issue is now closed in Tell HoCo. If you require more information, please contact Department of Public Works Highways office 410-313-7450.