Maplewood’s old homes and tall trees were the reason Ellen Seidman moved there more than two decades ago. Now she is determined to save what is considered the state’s tallest London plane, which is in danger of being cut down if a homeowner gets his way.
“These trees are the pride and joy of many of us who live here,” said Seidman, whose online petition currently has more than 802 signatures. “I’m hoping, when it comes to it, there will not be a permit issued that allows this beautiful, old historic tree to be taken down.”
Last month, Anthony Nardone — who bought the home at 62 Pierson Road this year from his longtime friend Tom Waeshle, after Waeshle’s mother Elizabeth passed away in 2024 — got approvals to subdivide his property, where he intends to demolish the 1908 home and build two new ones, eventually requiring that century-old plane tree be removed.
Mayor Nancy Adams, who voted to approve the subdivision, said her vote came “begrudgingly,” but was “following the law.”
“It tastes funny in my mouth,” said Adams, who noted that a town permit still must be issued in order for Nardone to remove the tree.
There was some discussion among Adams and the Planning Board about whether they could place conditions on the homeowner to ensure the tree remains standing, despite the subdivision approval. But Nardone’s lawyer Matthew Posada claimed that the Planning Board could not place conditions on a variance-free application. “We’re only limited to the zoning ordinance itself and the ordinance as it relates to a minor subdivision.” Posada said.
But all hope is not lost for Seidman. A bit of good news came from an unlikely source — the town’s Historic Preservation Commission. This commission deals with historic homes, not trees, but a new ordinance passed last year could give the commission the power to save this tree if they rule the home is worthy of landmark designation, which would deny Nardone the ability to demolish the home and therefore nullify the subdivision approval.
Nardone’s home is not a designated landmark, but the new ordinance also allows the HPC to review homes that have appeared in architectural surveys, allowing them to stay the wrecking ball long enough to designate the home. The new ordinance was passed after an 18th-century home was demolished in 2023, causing much commotion.
The new demolition ordinance has led HPC to pursue landmark designation for one new property at 588 Valley Street. But since the law was passed, there has been some confusion at Town Hall. One HPC commissioner, Gary Nelson, said it was “puzzling” why the Planning Board even heard the application before letting the commission review it.
In the end, the HPC voted unanimously to conduct further research on the home at 62 Pierson Road and now has up to 45 days to decide whether to pursue landmark designation.
At the last meeting, Seidman sat patiently at Town Hall for a chance to speak. In a manila folder, she held the letter from a Department of Environmental forester declaring the tree the tallest London plane in New Jersey.
“What is a concern for me is if this demolition takes place that, even if the tree were not allowed to be taken down, that the tree would die from all the trucks going over it during demolition,” Seidman said.
During the meeting, Nardone appeared crestfallen as he listened to the commissioners discuss the potential importance of the home. He told our publication that he feels a bit misled, not knowing beforehand that the home would be subject to this new demolition ordinance.
“We did research the home and there was no designation,” Nardone told the Four Oranges. “Now they’re looking for a designation after the fact — that’s all I’m going to say.”
