Nutley Community Preservation Partnership

Stewart Avenue House Razed; Residents Save Sycamore Trees;  Property Subdivided

After an application to subdivide a former church parsonage property at 2 Stewart Avenue was unanimously approved by the Nutley Planning Board last year, the home was recently razed, clearing the way for the construction of two homes where the single home once stood. No variance was needed for the subdivision.

The developer has asked to cut down several of the street trees which surround the property through Parks and Public Property Commissioner Mauro Tucci's office. The builder claims the trees stand in the way of proposed driveways for the homes. The Commissioner reportedly has refused the request, and referred the builder to the Building Department. Earlier this year before the previous house was razed, the NCPP drafted a letter to the commissioner to request that any development at the site preserve the existing street trees. Area residents  were able to prevent the removal of any trees.

The framing for the two buildings are nearly complete. The homes seem to be very close together, leaving little room for driveways. The photos below show the early stages of construction.

In approving the subdivision in September of 2006, Planning Board members Carol Tangorra, Mark Arcuti, and Anne Lynne Eisenfelder expressed reservations over the loss of such a beautiful home.  "It's a shame that the house will be torn down. I really wish you would reconsider."  Tom DiBiasi, the attorney for the developer, responded that his client would take these suggestions under advisement.