Swift Kelce Face Neighbor Dispute Over Ohio Estate Plans

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are facing objections from neighbors in Bratenahl, Ohio, over planned fencing and landscaping changes at their $5 million mansion. The dispute surfaced during an October 6 village planning meeting, according to the Daily Mail.

The couple, who married three months ago at a July 3 ceremony at New York’s Madison Square Garden, received approval in September for a 6-foot fence plan from the Bratenahl Architectural Review Board. Neighbors later raised concerns about landscaping near shared sewer infrastructure.

According to the Daily Mail, residents criticized the impact of the project on the community and described the couple as “absentee” owners. The same meeting records cited concerns about a “tremendous blow” to the area’s “peace and quiet.”

Katherine Bolton, who has lived next to the property for more than three decades, raised concerns about proposed evergreen trees near an old shared sewage line. She said she was discussing the issue with the couple’s attorney after receiving a $75,000 estimate to protect the sewer system from roots.

“This applicant may decide to sell her house next year, maybe move on and buy another house,” said Katherine Bolton.

Bolton also questioned how future maintenance issues would affect her property if the landscaping was installed near the sewer line.

“What am I going to do when I have 50 evergreen trees on my sewer line, and they’re gone? And I’m still living here in Bratenahl,” said Katherine Bolton.

Another neighbor, Chuck Bauernschmidt, objected to changes around the estate and raised concerns about vegetation removal and the planned fence. He lives two homes away from the property, according to the Daily Mail.

“Ridiculous … clear-cutting of the shrubbery and everything else,” said Chuck Bauernschmidt.

Bauernschmidt also claimed that the previous landscaping had been removed and expressed concern about possible effects of the new fence on wildlife near the property.

“All the trees are gone,” said Chuck Bauernschmidt.

Jacob Kutz of Tiny Construction, the planner representing Swift and Kelce, defended the project by saying the couple wanted additional security and privacy after purchasing the lakefront estate. He said the plans were reduced from an 8-foot fence to a shorter 6-foot version that does not extend to Lake Erie.

“Looking for privacy and security … after one of the largest sales in Cuyahoga County,” said Jacob Kutz.

Kutz said the couple made adjustments to address neighbor concerns, including sewer maintenance work and adding a gate for Bauernschmidt, who felt restricted by the original design.

“Just to show that [they’re] good neighbors,” said Jacob Kutz.

He also explained that the sewer line had been cleaned as part of the changes made for the property.

“Without asking for help,” said Jacob Kutz.

The gate addition was intended to respond to Bauernschmidt’s concerns about access and separation from the surrounding homes.

“Closed off,” said Jacob Kutz.

A third version of the property plan will be presented at a future meeting, while the board has already approved the front landscaping proposal. The estate was purchased in March through an Ohio LLC formed days before the sale, and USA Today reported that property tax correspondence lists André Eanes, Kelce’s longtime business manager, as the recipient.