Builder agrees to sell to neighbor rather than tear it down
By: Kara Fitzpatrick
An intense undertaking by a handful of residents and one couple in particular that aims to thwart the demolition of a decades-old house on South Harrison Street is one step away from becoming a happily-ever-after story.
In August, about a dozen neighbors began an effort to "Save Jane’s House" after Jane Taylor’s 1920s home, located at 60 South Harrison St., was sold to developer Barsky Brothers.
At the time, the prospects for the house were dismal. Barsky Brothers intended to tear down the structure and replace it with two single-family homes.
In light of the residents’ concerns and admiration for the house, Barsky Brothers has decided not to bulldoze it but rather sell it to a neighboring couple whose enchantment with the residence predates the recent controversy.
Barksy Brothers still plans to subdivide the lot, however. Now, just one new residence will be constructed.
Sound a bit too good to be true?
Well, there is one loophole the sale to neighbors Charlie Douglas and Kathleen Abplanalp is contingent upon variance and subdivision approval from the Regional Planning Board of Princeton. The Planning Board hearing, set for Thursday, will be the final step needed for the family to complete a process that they began more than eight months ago.
"It is just a beautiful old house," Mr. Douglas said, adding that he and his wife have consistently admired the house that they’ve lived next door to for years. "It just sort of has a grandeur about it."
While admitting the newfound agreement is the less-profitable option, Igor Barsky of Barsky Brothers said the company was "happy to do it."
"We thought it was something we could do for the community," Mr. Barsky said. "The neighbors had such a strong opinion on the matter that we thought it was a good thing to do."
In addition to generating a slimmer profit, Barsky Brothers is now voluntarily entering a situation where Planning Board approval is necessary no variances would have been required if the developer were to go through with the original plan, Princeton Borough Zoning Officer Frank Slimak said.
Mr. Slimak said three variances are needed from the Planning Board in order for Barsky Brothers as well as Mr. Douglas and Ms. Abplanalp to proceed as arranged: an offset for parking; a rear-yard setback variance; and a lot depth variance.
"In essence, they are creating a variance situation to address the concerns and comments of the people in the neighborhood," Mr. Slimak said. "I applaud them in that sense."
Mr. Slimak said the likelihood that the variances will be granted is "probably high because they have the support of the neighborhood."
For Ms. Abplanalp, an architectural historian with Cranbury-based Richard Grubb & Associates, the house that might become hers has a unique appeal.
"It is a really beautiful example of 1920s colonial revival," Ms. Abplanalp said. "My suspicions about the beauty and integrity of the house were confirmed when we had the home inspected," she added, noting that the inspector confirmed the house was very well built.
Perhaps what attracts Ms. Abplanalp most to the house, she said, is how most of its original features have been maintained over the years. From the major aspects the kitchen is essentially the same as it was in the 1920s to the more subtle things like the use of the original screens and storm windows, the core features have changed very little since it was built, she said. Even a more recent addition was done in good taste, she said.
Both Mr. Douglas and Ms. Abplanalp are surprised that their quest to "Save Jane’s House" might be soon become a reality.
"I don’t think that either of us anticipated that we would get this far," Ms. Abplanalp said.
In addition, the couple said they are grateful to Barsky Brothers.
"They didn’t have to do this at all," Mr. Douglas said. "We’re very thankful for what they have done."

