Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s plans for their new Ohio home have already stirred tension among their future neighbors.
The couple’s landscaping proposal for their $5.35 million estate in Bratenahl became the subject of a heated town meeting, where one resident bluntly predicted that their relationship would not last another decade.
“To be perfectly honest, I think it’s all stupid. It’s all subjective,” the neighbor said during Tuesday’s Architectural Review Board meeting at the Bratenahl Community Center.
He added, “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 was met with boos from many of the roughly 35 people in attendance.
“That’s fine, it’s just a different opinion,” the man responded.
Chuck Bauernschmidt, a neighbor who lives two houses from the estate and regularly attends village meetings, also raised objections to the proposed landscaping. He questioned the plan to install 10-foot shrubs around the property as a privacy measure.
“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 lives three doors from the mansion, focused on the possible impact on local wildlife.
“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.”
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Other residents defended Swift and Kelce, saying the celebrity couple should be welcomed rather than criticized.
“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 received applause, while another resident told the room, “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,” the attorney said. “It would be a shame. I think we should support these people and welcome them with open arms.”
After hearing both sides, the board voted unanimously to approve the proposal. The plans call for updated brickwork and staggered deciduous shrubs that will grow to a maximum height of 10 feet.
Swift and Kelce were not present at the meeting. They were represented by house manager Patrick Hyland, landscape architect Derek Kuryla and Jacob Kutz of Tiny Construction.
As Page Six previously reported, the couple, who married in July, bought the historic eight-bedroom, 11-bathroom mansion in March.
In September, they were granted permission to build a six-foot black aluminum privacy fence around parts of the property, despite concerns from nearby homeowners. That month, Page Six also exclusively reported that Swift and Kelce had implemented extensive security measures at the Ohio residence.
We previously reported that the 36-year-old pop superstar and the 37-year-old Kansas City Chiefs tight end do not plan to make the mansion their primary residence.
Swift already owns an extensive collection of properties, including homes in Rhode Island, Beverly Hills, Nashville and New York City.
Page Six has contacted representatives for Swift and Kelce for comment.