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Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's Ohio mansion feud
Neighbors accuse Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce of risking sewage explosions with $5.35m Ohio mansion fence plans.
In brief
Neighbors accuse Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce of risking sewage explosions with $5.35m Ohio mansion fence plans. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce face neighbor backlash over proposed $5.35m Ohio mansion fence and tree planting after 35-year residents claim sewage backups and wildlife hazards. Originally reported by…
Neighbor backlash over mansion fence
Katherine Bolton, who has lived next door for 35 years, called Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce 'absentee' owners threatening Bratenahl's peace and quiet.
“there's a new owner, who is an absentee owner, who is not going to be here”
Fence and tree dispute intensifies
Neighbors fear raw sewage backups, impaled deer, and drone threats as Swift and Kelce plan to plant 50 evergreen trees near a 100-year-old clay sewer line.
“planting 50 evergreen trees just ten feet from a 1.000-year-old clay sewer line is virtually guaranteed to cause severe root intrusion pipe structural failure and catastrophic sewage backups”
Planning board approval
The Bratenahl Architectural Review Board approved a six-foot black aluminum fence but required trees to mature properly without blocking the lake view.
“the house was one of the largest sales in cuyahoga county so the homeowner is looking for privacy and security”
Sewer line dispute
Bolton claims $75,000 was needed to line the sewer pipe against tree roots after Swift and Kelce planned to plant trees near the 100-year-old clay sewer line.
“this applicant may decide to sell her house next year maybe move on and buy another house”
Neighbor concerns
Chuck Bauernschmidt, who has lived two doors down for 39 years, warned the fence's spear-topped design could impale wildlife and cause sewage backups.
“it's now ridiculous all the trees are gone”
Fence modifications
The fence was moved two feet inside the property boundary and two gates added for neighbors to access the shared sewer line.
“we went ahead and did that for chuck”
Sewer line resolution
Swift and Kelce paid $7,500 to replace a broken section of the shared sewer and jet it clean two weeks before the meeting.
“we're good neighbors”
Neighbor relief
Victoria Broer, who chaired the village's planning commission for almost 20 years, expressed relief the fence stopped short of Lake Erie.
“i do appreciate that the fence is not going all the way to the lake because that would be in my view”
Property details
The 21,000-square-foot mansion, built in 1895, has eight bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, and backs on Lake Erie with a ballroom converted to a game room.
“the house has eight bedrooms and backs on to lake erie”
Fence height compromise
The couple originally wanted an eight-foot fence around the lakefront property but lowered it to six feet after neighbor objections.
“the house was one of the largest sales in cuyahoga county so the homeowner is looking for privacy and security”
Sewer line issue
Bolton claimed Swift and Kelce planted Arborvitaes directly on the sewer line, violating the 100-year-old clay pipe.
“this applicant may decide to sell her house next year maybe move on and buy another house”
Property purchase
The property was bought by an LLC linked to Travis Kelce in March 2026, incorporated in Ohio on February 26.
“the property was bought by an llc linked to kelce in march”
Fence approval
The Bratenahl Architectural Review Board unanimously approved the six-foot fence after more than an hour of objections from neighbors.
“the black aluminum fence was unanimously approved after more than an hour of objections from the people living on either side of the famous couple”
Tree removal
Trees have been ripped out along the border and yard work is underway with bare mud visible under lifted turf.
“pictures taken at the estate show that trees have already been ripped out along the border and yard work is under way”
Neighbor concerns
Bolton warned that the couple might sell their house next year, leaving neighbors to deal with 50 evergreen trees on their sewer line.
“what am i going to do when i have fifty evergreen trees on my sewer line and they're gone”
Next steps
The couple must return to the planning board for a third time with a revised plan to address neighbor concerns.
“they have to come back a third time with a fresh plan”
The short version
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce face neighbor backlash over proposed $5.35m Ohio mansion fence and tree planting after 35-year residents claim sewage backups and wildlife hazards.
