The Bratenahl Architectural Review Board unanimously approved landscaping plans for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s $5.35 million estate on Tuesday, following a contentious public meeting where one resident predicted the couple’s marriage would end within a decade.
About 35 people attended the meeting at the Bratenahl Community Center to weigh in on proposed updated brickwork and a mix of staggered deciduous shrubs that will grow to a maximum height of 10 feet around the property.
One neighbor used the meeting to question whether the effort was worthwhile at all.
“To be perfectly honest, I think it’s all stupid. It’s all subjective,” he said, adding, “This effort that’s being put in for Taylor Swift, I think for a property that’s pretty much going to be a timeshare and sold in seven to 10 years when the divorce happens, I think it’s ridiculous.”
The comment drew boos from the crowd. “That’s fine, it’s just a different opinion,” the man responded.
Other residents focused their objections on the practical effects of the plan. Chuck Bauernschmidt, who said he lives two houses from the property, argued the proposed shrubs would create too much seclusion.
“I live two houses away from the property in question and I do have complaints,” Bauernschmidt said. “This is not going to be open. This is a forest, and I’m not sure why the board is going in that direction. You’re going against ordinances? Am I mistaken? I don’t think I am. I feel bad for the village.”
Lucy Weller, who said she lives three doors from the home, raised concerns about the landscaping’s impact on local wildlife, while suggesting the project could do more for the area’s ecology.
“Here is a wonderful opportunity for people who have money to put it into the caliber that this house should have,” Weller said. “I think this is a wonderful opportunity for this camp to go back and learn a bit about native species and designs that show off what animals need in this area. They don’t need lawns; they need food and cover and they need places to have sex. I don’t think this landscape does anything to provide for any of the wildlife.”
Other residents pushed back against the critical tone of the meeting, urging neighbors to welcome the couple to the community.
“We should feel privileged that these people chose this location for their residence and instead we are arguing over landscape and privacy as opposed to coming together as a community and looking at it as, wow, they chose Bratenahl, because Bratenahl is a special place,” Vasiliki Diamantis said. “We should accept them regardless of how many days they live here.”
Diamantis’s comments were met with applause. Another attendee, a lawyer, echoed the sentiment, telling the crowd, “I have to mirror that. I think it would be an absolute sin if this community goes in any way other than supporting people who are coming to our lovely neighborhood. It would be a shame. I think we should support these people and welcome them with open arms.”
Swift and Kelce did not attend the meeting. The couple was represented by house manager Patrick Hyland, landscape architect Derek Kuryla and Jacob Kutz of Tiny Construction.
The pair, who married in July, bought the eight-bedroom, 11-bathroom historic mansion in Bratenahl, a village in Cuyahoga County, in March. In September, the board approved a six-foot black aluminum privacy fence for portions of the property over objections from some homeowners. Swift and Kelce have not indicated the Ohio property will be their primary residence; Swift also owns homes in Rhode Island, Beverly Hills, Nashville and New York City.
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