March 2024

ISSUE 29

News Bites

Spring Clean Up Event Update

The COCLT Spring Clean Up event in the Franklinton area has been scheduled for April 20th, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. The rain date is April 27th. Email us with questions and to sign up.

New Development Area

We are pleased to announce we will be adding a new development project in Franklinton. The COCLT will be building 19 condominiums. More information on this development area can be found HERE.

Welcome Home

Please join COCLT in welcoming homeowners who have recently closed

on their new homes.

Upcoming Events & Deals

What's in the COCLT's Mail?

The COCLT receives various mailings related to the homes in our program. More recent homeowners may be less familiar with these types of documents. Our longer term homeowners can use this as a refresher.

Code Enforcement - When a code violation or warning is issued.

Housing Codes - public nuisance, garbage, graffiti, fences
Health, Sanitation, and Safety (Environmental) Codes - high grass, weeds, solid waste, and general sanitary maintenance of the property
Zoning Code - not related to residential land use
Nuisance Abatement Code - condition of blighted property

Water Bill - When payment is delinquent or service is turned off.

Permit Request - When a permit is requested for a project.

Land Lease Refresher

Section 9.3 Homeowner Must Reimburse the Land Trust of the Land Lease states "In the event the Land Trust shall be required to pay any sum that is the Homeowner’s responsibility or liability, the Homeowner shall reimburse the Land Trust for such payment and for reasonable expenses caused thereby."

Homeowner Tips

Spring Clean

With the transition from winter to spring there are some cleaning activities you can complete to help maintain your home. These tips will give your home a total refresh.

Restock your Cleaning Items

Make a list of cleaning items needed.

Items you may use can include all purpose cleaner, microfiber cloths, duster, and sponges.

Make sure your vacuum and other cleaning tools are in good working order.

Designate an area to store all your cleaning supplies.

Key Areas to Clean

Dust builds up during the winter months and using a duster is an effective way to clean baseboards and blinds.

Wash window screens and sills to get rid of built up dirt and debris.

Deep clean your kitchen and bathroom(s) including floors.

Clear out your kitchen cabinets of any expired can goods and other items.

Gardening 101

Having a home means you have space to grow a garden. Spring time is the best time to start and maintain your outdoor space. Here are some great steps to start a garden.

When you start planning your garden, you should consider location, sun exposure, moisture level, and soil type. Map out your garden space and choose your plants appropriately.

Central Ohio has a lot of clay in the soil. Mixing topsoil and a little bit of sand will keep your garden from retaining too much water. Using compost helps increase the nutrients in the soil. Coffee grounds can also be very beneficial.

Determining the best time to plant is based on the last frost, which is April 27th for our area. You can start some plants (spinach, peas, kale, and carrots) from seeds indoors now and transfer them outside in April.

Indoor gardening is also another option if you are not ready to start a traditional outdoor garden. You can start small with your favorite herbs and grow your skills over time. All you need is a few supplies, including seeds, soil, pots with good drainage, and a sunny spot for growing.

Starting a garden is a great way to beautify your home and have fresh items to cook for you and your family.

Financial Spring Clean

Now that the new year has settled in it may be time to re-evaluate your finances. Here are some guides on how to spring clean your financial house.

Weed out old bills and shred. This allows for you to have a better handle on your actual current bills.

Organize your important financial documents and store them in a safe space.

Review your credit score and profile to make sure the information being reported is accurate.

Refresh your household budget and determine any areas of improvement to have more room for disposable income.

Look over your current insurance policies for your home, car, and other insured items to make sure you have proper coverage.

Increase your financial literacy by visiting your local library for resources and checking out reputable personal finance sites.

More information on this topic can be found HERE.

Call Before You Dig...It's the Law

If you are planning any outdoor improvement projects or yard work, it is best to call 8-1-1 (Ohio’s one-call notification system) at least 48 hours ahead of time so you know where it is safe to dig.

One call coordinates local utilities and oil and gas production facilities so underground lines can be marked. Not only can doing so avoid headaches and make your job easier, but you could avoid potential utility outages, repair costs, and serious - or even fatal - injuries. More info can be found HERE.