New York City: A Brooklyn resident, Theodore Trachtenberg, is facing a hefty $230,000 fine for removing a tree from a vacant lot on his property. The city’s Parks Department claims the tree was planted by the city approximately 40 years ago and was therefore public property.
The incident occurred during the construction of Trachtenberg’s new residential building. To accommodate the six-story, ten-unit structure, the tree had to be removed. The top-floor, three-bedroom unit is currently listed for rent at $5,400 per month.
Trachtenberg, however, disputes the city’s claim of ownership. He argues that the land was once a city-owned property that was later sold due to unpaid mortgages and subsequently acquired by him in 1999. The tree, he claims, grew after the property returned to private ownership.
The city maintains that the tree was planted on public land and its removal necessitates a substantial fine. The collected funds are typically used for reforestation efforts within the city. Trachtenberg’s refusal to pay the fine could potentially delay the final approval of his building project.
The case highlights a complex legal battle over property rights and environmental regulations.
