The 15 mph signs you see along our streets have been posted from the beginning of Northland’s completion. That specific speed limit is required because:

• These are private roads with no through streets.
• We have no sidewalks for pedestrians.
• The streets are not the standard width of main roads.
• We have several turns to navigate.

In addition, this development has many utility boxes in front yards that are not far off the streets. An accident involving any of those can cause disruption of services for the condos in that area.

What’s the Big Deal?

First of all, as owners here, we have agreed to follow the rules of the Association when we signed our deeds. Everyone in our community deserves to be safe from harm. That includes many of our people who enjoy walking, who have dogs to walk, and who like the quiet atmosphere of living in a private community. Speeders put others’ safety at risk.

Secondly, just be courteous. Being in a hurry at the expense of people’s peace and safety is both rude and dangerous. Slow down. Be friendly. Be a good neighbor.

Some of us who live on Auston Street deal with habitual speeders on a daily basis. We have even stopped drivers to remind them of the speed issue. Some of us have been met with rude, nasty comments from drivers, and not just from delivery drivers. In fact, some of these speeders are condo owners here. And that leads the Board to having to make some decisions.

What Can the Board Do About It?

According to the Association’s attorneys:

Once a speed limit is established, the association may attempt to enforce the speed limit rule by levying enforcement assessments against owners who violate the rule themselves or have guests or other residents who violate the rule.  Boards must remember that enforcement assessments may only be imposed against owners of a residence within the community. 

—https://ohiocondolaw.com/2021/06/14/speed-limits-by-garrett-b-humes-esq/

Some of the condos here are equipped with security cameras. It is possible to have a record of which vehicles are speeding. With such evidence, the Board can send a notice to the owner, and if the speeding continues, can begin to assess that owner for breaking the speed limit. Of course, we are talking about those who regularly and excessively speed on our streets. We are hearing from owners about specific vehicles and drivers who zoom past their condos.

Unfortunately, Ohio law doesn’t allow local law enforcement officers to write tickets involving any private property with a 25 mph speed limit or less. However, they can be hired to record speeds of vehicles and provide a written report.

Our attorneys offer another solution if warnings and assessments don’t work:

Finally, speed bumps are a tried and true way of putting an end to speeding.  While never popular in that they impact all drivers, speed bumps are clearly an effective way of putting an end to speeding within the association!

—as above

The Board considers this a last resort—but it is an option. Soon you will see this as you drive on Auston Street:

It is meant as a lighthearted way to remind all drivers about their speed. Let’s practice safe driving and community courtesy. The few seconds you save by speeding are not worth the ill will you are causing our community.

Oh…and we will continue to remind the delivery drivers. One phone call to their businesses seems to help.

If you have any other suggestions, please contact us.