My Christmas Tree neighbor may be about to lose ALL of his trees.

7 years ago

I'm talking thousands of trees here. This is the hot story of our neck of the woods. The Christmas Tree neighbor doesn't own the property that his trees are on, his dad does. His dad has let him use this land for decades, without any form of payment of rent, taxes or him giving his dad a share of the profits. Nothing! His dad who is about 74, lives about a mile away from us. Anyway, there is a small country store with a boat launch onto our lake next to me. The owner of it died from a stroke last year and his 4 children put the place up for sale. This property abuts my property and the Christmas tree neighbors property.

Apparently, my Christmas tree neighbor and his dad were in a huge bidding battle for this property and the son outbid his dad. His dad is PISSED! From what I hear he is madder (and he's known for his temper) than anyone has ever seen him. My Christmas tree neighbor's brother called me the other day and said their father is due back from KY in a few weeks and when he does I'll be able to sit outside in my yard and enjoy the show. I said what show? He said just watch. It's about to get real.

To make matters worse, my christmas tree neighbor wants to close off the boat launch to EVERYONE in our area. He wants it for himself! I was talking to my other neighbor about it and he said NY will get involved if that happens, plus our lake association will sue him.

My neighbor said he had heard a while back that the father threatened to bulldoze his son's trees a long time ago after an argument. But this is worse, and it cant be rectified. There is nothing the son can do or say to get out of it. See, this property his son bought was previously owned by his father. His father sold it to the man who died about 30 years ago and now the father wanted it back. The son selfishly took that way from him, after all this dad has done for him..

If his dad pays someone to bulldoze the trees, I'll take a video of it and put it on here.

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lisanti07028

7 years ago

Wow.

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Comments (6)

kentrees12
7 years ago
This is similar to something that happened here a few years ago. It involved the sale of property, and lake access by residents whose property bordered the lake. Fortunately for the property owners, everything was done legally and recorded when everything was built, so the new owner lost. I believe the state got involved. I also believe threats with guns drawn were made. The property changed hands again, but everything is good. When I first moved here I thought I might be interested in the property, but when I looked into it I decided to pass, glad I did.
ilovemytrees thanked kentrees12
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ilovemytrees
Original Author
7 years ago
Ken, thank you so much for sharing your story.

I've heard a couple scenarios of what the son wants to do with the property. I've heard he wants to bulldoze the tiny store, and build a "million dollar mansion" on it. I've also heard he wants to have a couple of apartments put in, and let only those people, along with himself, have lake access.

It's the ONLY access to the lake there is, period. People from Buffalo and out of state have pricey cottages out here specifically so they can access the lake. They're going to freak! And wait til the Dept of Conservation gets wind of this; they're at the lake every few weeks making sure it's okay. They have a state-owned parking lot on the other side of this property and people are allowed to park there and pay $10 to get their boat launched. But I guess this son is going to put a stop to it.
Marie Tulin
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Maybe not if the state gets involved. They have all sorts of strategies they can take advantage of. Meanwhile, I'd get all the neighbors together and form a neighborhood or lake association and research the zoning laws. You could also go the town offices, where ever they keep records of filed permits to see if permits have been filed by either party. that's not being nosey. It is legal and enlightened self interest. The lake may be the saving grace. Get a town wetlands map and see if there are wetlands associated with the lake. Generally no development can happen with 100 ' of a wetland.

I'd suggest someone 'friendly' to both parties stop by for a chat with each one and caution both of them not start building or filling or spending a cent because it is rumored the Zoning Board and Conservation Commission have taken an interest.." Well, that's obvious if the State is involved. Even if seems out of your hands, you neighbors--and especially abuttors-- should become familiar with the issues because there will be hearings where you will be allowed to speak.

We had lesser issue, though not of the scope you have. The owner wanted to develop a previously undeveloped pasture with the best sunset in town. He made all sorts of "improvements" for a therapeutic horseback riding program that put up a 40 foot high white fabric indoor arena. Think gigantic quonset hut Meanwhile he paved over a small wetlands. without going through the conservation commission and made other changes without permits.

A bright neighbor got us all going, and soon the conservation commission was holding hearings and the owner was slapped with a order to complete restore the wetlands &, tear up one the parking lots. the therapeutic program- as a non profit program- kept its arena because ugly is generally legal. However, they actually relocated the small wetland and it will be more sustainable and a better ecosystem than the original. The Zoning Board and Conservation Commission strongly suggested that further screening of the ugly arena would be a neighborly thing to do. The owner agreed.

I encourage you and your neighbors to become more active than innocent bystanders. You have your property values at stake.

Marie
ilovemytrees thanked Marie Tulin
poaky1
7 years ago
Crappy on the sons part. His dad could've left him nothing. Ungrateful little p$ick.
ilovemytrees thanked poaky1
waynedanielson
7 years ago
i think I saw this movie...

My Christmas Tree neighbor may be about to lose ALL of his trees.

lisanti07028

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My Christmas Tree neighbor may be about to lose ALL of his trees.

lisanti07028

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kentrees12

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