Madeline Driftmyer is asking Toledo leaders for help with a pest problem near her home. Rodents and weeds from a neglected site next door spread into her yard, she said.
Driftmyer recently bought her home following five years of living at the residence. She said an unmaintained commercial site at 1955 W. Sylvania Ave. sits directly behind her property. It has sat empty for two years.
“Behind my neighbor’s garage here, they have a garage. The entire roof is completely caved in. In the last two years, there’s been no sign of any human being to come and maintain,” Driftmyer said.
The site suffers from heavy plant overgrowth, Driftmyer said. Weeds on the parcel now rise higher than her six-foot privacy fence.
“The building, it’s got holes in the roof, and it’s just become an issue for the neighborhood you know,” Driftmyer said.
Pests have multiplied across the property line, Driftmyer said. She reported spotted lanternflies, mosquitos and rats spreading into her backyard. One rodent encounter led to vet bills for her pets last week.
“I let my dogs out, turn the light on, came out here with them and immediately they attacked a rat, which then attacked them back and led to $700 in emergency vet bills. They were both bleeding all over the place,” Driftmyer said.
Driftmyer and her neighbors filed multiple pest and maintenance reports through Engage Toledo. The system closed or dismissed the reports without resolving the infestation, she said.
The commercial building sits on forfeited land, according to Toledo officials. The former owner, Lois Baker, Trustee, lost the property to tax foreclosure. The case closed in Housing Court, city officials stated.
Officials stated the city has not received a formal complaint about the location since November 2021. With no legal owner on record, city leaders said nobody exists to hold responsible.
“Well if nobody can be held responsible for it then I feel like the city should be responsible for it,” Driftmyer said.
The Lucas County Land Bank said the parcel forfeited when no bidders appeared at a tax foreclosure auction. The agency inspects all forfeited properties but does not own or maintain the parcel.
The Lucas County Auditor will offer the building at another auction later this year. Officials noted no guarantee exists that a buyer will place a bid.
“At least come and clean it up, you know. If they can’t tear it down or anything like that, at least do something to make it A: Look a little bit more presentable, and B: At least get rid of these rodents and all the weeds,” Driftmyer said.
Driftmyer said she worries about rat nests under her shed and rodents entering her home. She expressed fear for neighborhood children wandering near the building. She also fears her dogs might contact poisoned rats.
The city stated municipal crews can abate overgrowth on parcels. City officials do not handle private trees. Toledo Edison clears branches near power lines, and homeowners may trim overhanging brush.
Municipal land banks manage vacant parcels to help return abandoned properties to productive use. Tax foreclosure processes resolve outstanding municipal tax debts through public auction sales. Local code enforcement programs allow cities to clear noxious weeds and pests from neglected lands.
Driftmyer is not asking for reimbursement of the $700 veterinary bill. She wants the pests removed and the Toledo site cleaned up.
