Letter to the Editor: Northfield Village Milford Drive and Huntington Drive Sidewalk Project

By Kurt Kainec

9188 Cranbrook.  216-659-4194  I am writing you to notify you that I am in opposition of the installation of a sidewalk on my property that abuts Huntington Drive.

An installation of the proposed sidewalk offers no advantage to the residents of the community or landowners. In fact, the landowners on which this proposed sidewalk will be built face several challenges including the following:

1. Loss of use of their personal property
2. Increase of liability from injury on or near the sidewalk
3. Increase in homeowners expenses for maintenance and/or future replacement of the sidewalk
4. Restriction of use of private property.
5. Loss of land area to property owner without fair compensation
6. Increase in responsibility for homeowner to maintain sidewalk.
7. Increased trash and litter on the property from indiscriminate pedestrians.
8. Loss or revenue to the Village from the expense of construction where these funds may be utilized in other areas with greater benefit to our community.

While the proposed sidewalk may sound like a good thing, ultimately there is little or no benefit to the homeowner or the community, especially with the selected area of Huntington Drive. In fact, there is only increased costs and liability to us. I work outside within my property a lot and encounter many times more pedestrians along Cranbrook Drive over Huntington Drive. In addition,  I utilize the full length of my driveway for personal reasons and vehicle parking. A sidewalk would be restrictive to that use of my land.  Also, a single sidewalk along the proposed route is not a sensible or aesthetici installation, as few communities that I am aware of have sidewalks only on one side of the road which creates a sense of imbalance.

Rest assured I will be reaching out to my neighbors on Huntington in opposition to this proposed confiscation and desecration of our already small properties.

Thank you for your time and attention in this matter. It is my hope that sensible people such as you see the lack of benefit to our community as a whole. I look forward to seeing you at the future council meetings and addressing this issue and the concerns above.

With regards,
Kurt Kainec

Editor’s note: The letter above refers to a notice dated Dec. 2, 2025, mailed by the Village of Northfield to residents along Milford Drive and Huntington Drive in Northfield Village, Ohio. That notice explains that the Milford Drive Reconstruction Project is under design and is expected to be bid in early 2026, with construction anticipated to begin in spring 2026. In addition to rebuilding the roadway, the village is considering installing new 5‑foot‑wide public concrete sidewalks along the west/north side of Milford Drive from Ledge Road to just west of the Northfield Village Huntington Park property, and along the north side of Huntington Drive from Cranbrook Drive to North Plaza Drive.

The village cites pedestrian and child safety and better access to Northfield Road, Summit Plaza and Village Hall as the main reasons for the sidewalks. The mailing states that, if the sidewalk portion of the project can be awarded at a reasonable cost, adjoining property owners will not be charged assessments or tax increases for the sidewalk construction. The notice also says that residents are invited to submit comments by Jan. 30, 2026, and that two public meetings about the Milford Drive Reconstruction Project will be scheduled in early 2026, with details to be sent by mail.

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