Imagine waking up to find tire tracks scarring your front lawn—again. For one Billings homeowner, this frustrating scenario has become all too familiar, and it’s sparking a debate about property rights, city responsibilities, and the limits of engineering solutions. But here’s where it gets controversial: should homeowners bear the financial burden of fixing poorly designed infrastructure?
Sam Ouzts, a resident at the corner of Rehberg Lane and Colton Boulevard, is at his wit’s end. On a recent Tuesday morning, he discovered fresh tire tracks cutting through his frost-covered lawn—just the latest in a string of incidents that have plagued his property for years. 'My first reaction was just frustration,' Ouzts shared. 'It’s disappointing that people don’t think before they act. This is a busy neighborhood with two schools nearby, and kids are always walking up and down this sidewalk.'
The root of the problem? An oddly designed sidewalk outside his home. Ouzts believes a mistake was made during construction, where what should have been a standard sidewalk with a curb was instead built as an approach to a driveway—a driveway that doesn’t even exist on that side of his house. 'Our house was built in 1984, and I assume this was meant to be a garage approach,' Ouzts explained. Instead, the garage and driveway are on the opposite side of the home, leaving the awkwardly designed sidewalk as a magnet for wayward drivers.
And this is the part most people miss: Billings City Council member and engineer Scott Aspenlieder confirmed the uniqueness of the situation. 'In my 15 years of engineering work and two years on council, this is the most unusual case I’ve seen,' Aspenlieder said. 'It’s a real outlier.' While he sympathizes with Ouzts, Aspenlieder pointed out that, under Billings city ordinance, sidewalk repairs are the homeowner’s financial responsibility—a costly prospect that Ouzts is reluctant to take on.
Instead, Ouzts is exploring more affordable solutions, like planting a hedge to deter drivers. 'I’ve cut the grass here to make way for a natural barrier,' he said. Aspenlieder supports the idea but cautioned, 'The best engineering can’t fix bad driving. People will still be careless.'
This situation raises a thought-provoking question: Should homeowners be left to fix infrastructure mistakes that aren’t their fault? Or should cities step in to ensure public safety and property rights? Ouzts’ dilemma isn’t just about a damaged lawn—it’s about accountability, fairness, and the limits of individual responsibility. What do you think? Should Ouzts foot the bill, or should the city take action? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
