Considering that he is also taking 3+ parking spots, it seems like the least he could do for the neighborhood is plant some trees.

Right on, avocado (and solid username!). Those were beautiful trees he stripped out of there. And if he doesn't add trees on the adjacent sidewalk, no one ever will. I was told by the foreman that the developer was balking at the cost, but with each of his new units catching a premium price, it's hard to imagine he can't afford adding a few street trees.

YES! The city needs to protect our large trees. If a developer takes out a large tree, they should be forced to replace a percentage of the caliper inch. Those small trees are doing a fraction of what the previous trees did - less storm water filtered, less shade on the sidewalk, less carbon dioxide removed. Let's force developers to respect our wonderful neighborhood.

Haha, thanks!

That same developer also has another huge development project going on Baldwin Avenue, near the storage place. I am pretty sure he can take another look at his investment budget to get some proper foliage back on Webster and Ravine. I did not realize anyone was suggesting that to him, I will bring it up when i see him next as well.

That property previously had a one family home living on it, with a garage. Now the property will have six families living on it. They only provide enough parking for three families. It takes three spots from the neighborhood and could add additional cars that will need to park on the street. Would love to know how that gets approved by the city.

See Click Fix altered he (apostrophe) ll to a four letter word that wouldn't make much sense there at all.

If you had attended the planning and zoning hearings, or asked to see the plans before he built, or made him meet with the community this might have been prevented. If you need help with this in the future, contact the Heights Coalition which meets at PS 28 or RNA.

Mary - While this is a great suggestion for future development issues (and had I lived in the neighborhood while this was in front of the zoning board, I would have done just that), we can't allow that to stop us from pushing for what's appropriate now. JC has bad codes regarding our large trees. Currently, you cut one down and you just have to replace it. But that small tree is doing a fraction of what the previous tree was and our canopy cover continues to decline. Developers should want to be good neighbors in communities where they continue to do a lot of work.

The RNA has been a great resource on this and I know I personally plan on reaching out to other groups to keep this from happening in the future.

This type of house which this builder specializes in should be changed. He is allowed to remove spaces from the street and insert driveways. This is killing the heights. It is the singe worst thing that the city has ever allowed. It pits neighbor against neighbor and encourages illegal garage apartments. We are not in the suburbs. You dont even need a car in that location. This is a walking neighborhood and we are ruining it all for profit. He, by the way, does not need any good feeling from us. We are stuck with the Elvis houses he builds and he gets the money. Many builders like this one are tearing down beautiful old houses on lots with trees to make as much as they can. Realtors encourage it. This is a huge problem here. The quality of these guys "pattern book" houses is also not so great. They start falling apart right away. Get a block association with a planning committee. There is no other way unless we change the law. We should do it or you wont see an old tree standing here.

Mary, there is so much to unpack there. And so much of it is great and interesting. I think, though, we're all on the same page here...you, msr, the avocado and I want to see more trees. And there should be lots of ways to get to more trees (whether before folks break ground or after.) Let's lock down on this one corner in this thread and see if we can force this developer to put in some future beauties to replace those caliper inches he chopped out of there.

First and foremost all developers should integrate into the community instead of strip it of the things that make it desirable to begin with; trees being at the top of the list. Not only is it an aesthetic imperative it may also have an environmental impact that we are not aware of immediately. Trees support a lot of habitat; which includes birds and they hunt rodents. These quick build boxy looking buildings are ugly. period. if anything the trees will also help to temper such eye sores.

refer to zoning

Could you please let me know with whom to speak in zoning (or at least a department phone number) capable of helping us clear the way for a developer almost finished with a project to add trees to the sidewalk? It does not seem like a zoning issue, but, if I am wrong, a little more direction would be helpful. Thank you.

not building department matter refer to zoning or planning

It would be helpful if you referred someone from that department to this thread, as you were brought here. Perhaps you could provide a phone number or a contact name.

The project manager tells me they are about a month from wrapping up the project. Still no trees.

Engineering - Althea assigned this issue to RRC Assistant Director - Waseem

The number for Zoning is 201-547-4832
City Planning is 201-547-5010

This issue was recategorized from Construction to Trees along City Streets.

The great news is that the developer has completed the paperwork and agreed to put in three new trees along Webster. With the help of the president of RNA, Kern Weissman, and his outreach to Councilman Boggiano, we'll have new trees soon. As far as I know, we're only waiting on the city to act.

Can we get an update from DPW on when to expect these new trees?

Traffic - Patricia L assigned this issue to Parks Maintenance - Alphonso Lynch

Thank you all.

Best