Statement Opposing the Proposed Property Tax Increase on Pinegate Community Green Spaces

As a concerned resident of the Pinegate community in Mentor, Ohio, I respectfully oppose the proposed property tax increase on our shared green spaces—an increase that would raise the assessed value of this land by over 1,000%. This dramatic reassessment is both disproportionate and unjustified, especially when compared to the 30–35% increase seen in most residential properties.

This green space is not buildable land. It is protected and preserved under Pinegate HOA bylaws for recreation, environmental preservation, and educational purposes. Local schools utilize this land for outdoor learning; families gather for safe, community-centered activities; and residents enjoy trails, a pond, and natural areas that support mental, physical, and social well-being. To tax this space as if it were a developable or income-generating property completely disregards its intended and actual use.

More importantly, this land is privately owned and maintained by the HOA—not the county. Homeowners already fund all maintenance, landscaping, and stewardship of this land. Asking them to now pay substantially higher taxes on it amounts to double taxation—without any added services, oversight, or improvements provided in return by the county.

This tax increase would place a second financial burden on families, retirees, and first-time homeowners—many of whom live on fixed or modest incomes. Our property values already reflect the benefit of proximity to this green space. Raising taxes on the land itself, which generates no revenue, would force the community to increase HOA dues unfairly and potentially jeopardize ongoing maintenance, safety, and accessibility.

Furthermore, taxing preserved land at such a high rate disincentivizes conservation. It sends a troubling message to HOAs and neighborhoods: that environmental stewardship will be penalized, not rewarded. Over time, this creates pressure to convert green space into taxable or income-generating uses, undermining broader environmental, community health, and planning goals.

Green space is not a luxury—it is vital infrastructure, comparable to public parks, ballfields, and playgrounds across Lake County. And its value to public health and safety is well-documented:

Crime Reduction: Studies, including one by the University of Pennsylvania, have found that well-maintained green spaces are associated with reduced crime rates. Pinegate, known for its legacy housing stock and low crime, benefits from active use of trails and open areas that promote natural surveillance and community cohesion.
Community Health: Access to green spaces supports lower blood pressure, reduced stress, and improved cardiovascular and respiratory health. A landmark study in The Lancet found reduced mortality rates among those living near green environments. For children, these spaces improve attention, behavior, and social development.
Cost Savings: Maintaining green space reduces healthcare expenditures per capita by promoting physical activity, reducing mental health burdens, and lowering disease risk—benefits that outweigh any marginal tax revenue gains.
Health Equity: Pinegate’s Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) is low relative to nearby census tracts, suggesting that our green spaces serve as a protective factor for community wellness and resilience. Penalizing this model sets a dangerous precedent.

In conclusion, Pinegate’s green spaces are not luxury holdings or future development sites. They are community assets essential to our health, safety, and quality of life—assets that we, as residents, already fund and care for without county assistance. We urge the Board to reconsider this reassessment and to uphold the principles of fairness, conservation, and community well-being.

Please support us in preserving this green space, not penalizing us for safeguarding it.

My signature to this petition acknowledges that I am a Pinegate resident and member of the private entity known as the Pinegate Homeowners Club (aka: Pinegate HOA) and this serves as my co-signed statement to be presented to the Lake County Board of Revision and entered into their record.