This article was originally published in the August 2018 Princeton Echo.
The complaints of Hawthorne Avenue resident Galina Chernaya in
, regarding damage to trees caused by builders engaged in a tear-down project next door to her home, have not fallen on deaf ears. In a report issued July 24, the Shade Tree Commission charged that R.B. Builders, the firm owned by Roman Barsky and his son, violated two sections of the town’s tree and shrub ordinance. The company “failed to apply for a tree removal permit and did not provide the contiguous property owners with notice of the proposed tree destruction or removal.” In addition, the commission charged, R.B. Builders violated numerous provisions of the ordinance related to tree protection and tree protection zones on construction sites.
A summons was issued on the permitting issue for a hearing in municipal court on Monday, August 20.
According to the Shade Tree Commission, “the building plan for 260 Hawthorne allowed excavation to within eight feet of the property line, for construction of a foundation coming to within 10 feet of the property line.” But “the actual excavation significantly exceeded the eight-foot perimeter,” coming to within about five feet at one point. That led to damage to tree roots within the tree protection zone. At one point, according to the findings, the owner agreed to backfill with organic matter to maximize the chances the trees would survive. But the neighbor at 258 Hawthorne, Chernaya, reported that the builder had back-filled the excavated area with gravel. Later the neighbor reported that the builder had removed the gravel and replaced it with soil.
“To my knowledge this is the first time in Princeton’s history when a legal action is taken against a developer for violation of the tree protection law,” Chernaya said in an e-mail. “Though this will not help my trees I hope that this action and publicity around my battle with Mr. Barsky may save other trees from being destroyed by developers.”
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