ZBA clears 1139 Ridgewood plan so builders can preserve heritage trees

The Highland Park Zoning Board of Appeals on March 19 approved an established‑building‑setback variance for a proposed new single‑family home at 1139 Ridgewood Drive, allowing the applicant to locate part of the house forward of the block’s established setback so three protected trees can be preserved.

Applicant Neil Fortunado, sworn to testify, said the owners’ priority is to save the rear heritage and key trees. “Our interest here is to save these trees in the back,” Fortunado said, adding that removing the trees would be an alternative they do not prefer.

Staff showed plans, plats and a forestry memo in the packet; the forester recommended tree‑protection measures and forestry staff confirmed a tree protection plan will be required as part of permitting. Fortunado described construction methods designed to protect roots, telling the board they will use “directional boring to install the utilities…rather than trench across the yard” and that root pruning would be used when careful excavation is necessary.

A nearby resident, Steve Hunter of 1138 Ridgewood, spoke in support, saying the project appeared to be a single‑family home and was unlikely to create extra on‑street parking. Board members commended the aim to preserve heritage trees; Member Weissberg and others said the standards for a variance were met because tree protection created a site constraint that made the forward shift reasonable.

The board voted by roll call to approve the variance as drafted. Staff noted forestry will work with the applicant on a tree protection plan and that the requirements of the permit process will govern specific construction protections.

The approval allows the owner to build the new home in the location shown on the approved site plan and requires standard forestry protections during permitting.