‘Nightmare situation,’ fumes homeowner whose driveway is always blocked after official mix-up – it began with tree root | 6503BIK | 2024-05-02 12:08:01
'Nightmare situation,' fumes homeowner whose driveway is always blocked after official mix-up – it began with tree root | 6503BIK | 2024-05-02 12:08:01
A HOMEOWNER resorted to branching out to an advice column about a tree root that made for a muddy exit during certain seasons.
It took a call from an esteemed outlet to get things going in the right direction.
In the fall of 2019, Donald Kempler, a homeowner in Brooklyn, New York, wrote into New York Post's John Crudele's advice column regarding a legal battle with the city's government after a construction project effectively ruined his driveway.
The root of the issue was an exposed tree root as a result of the construction, making a deep and muddy rut during the fall and winter.
"During December 2018, the sidewalk in front of my Brooklyn property was repaved under the auspices of the Transportation Department's local Sidewalks Repair Project," Kempler's letter to Crudele read.
He had no idea the project would put him in a fierce back-and-forth discourse with the New York City Parks Department and the Department of Design and Construction (DDC).
"In the course of the repair, the paving contractor utilized by the DDC arbitrarily extended the tree pit area facing the rear of my driveway approximately two feet by removing the previously paved surface," he continued
"This resulted in obstructing the egress entering and exiting my driveway."
Not only did it make for a jarring exit and entry into his driveway, it confused both local and visiting drivers.
"It has also created a chronic illegally blocked driveway situation, as vehicle owners now perceive the edge of the extended tree pit to be the legal parking guideline instead of the straightaway driveway line," he wrote.
Kempler contacted the DCC's construction liaison department, where an engineer was sent out to assess the driveway.
The engineer agreed – the job needed to be redone – but due to the tree being such a large factor in the situation, there wasn't much his department could do.
<!-- End of Brightcove Player --> So, the engineer directed Kempler to contact the Parks Department, which oversees any city area with trees.
At first, the Parks Department seemed wary, especially considering the dangers repaving would impose on the tree.
In the spring of the following year, he wrote to Crudele that things were looking up.
"After writing to the Commissioner of Parks and with the helpful intervention of my local City Councilman's office, on May 1, the Parks Department finally reversed its position, and granted the DDC permission to restore the tree pit area to the original paved condition," he wrote.
However, his delight wouldn't last long – hence his reaching out to Crudele.
The back-and-forth between the two major departments took nearly a year before a resolution surfaced[/caption]
"Incredibly, the DDC, upon notification that the Parks Department had given them the green light to restore my driveway street access to its original condition, then reneged on its commitment to effect the repair and resurrected the tree root issue!"
Crudele wrote back with a short reply, indicating that some calls were made on his behalf.
"As you now know, I called the necessary people and your driveway has been fully restored," responded Crudele.
"The city said your job was on its list."
At the very end of the public response, he couldn't help but throw in a pun.
"Enjoy your driveway and your tree. I'm, ahem, rooting for the both of you."
More >> https://ift.tt/3X2D8WB Source: MAG NEWS
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