Island Man Who Cut Down Cisco Neighbor's Trees To Create Ocean Views Sells Property For Nearly $8 Million
David Creed •
Jonathan Jacoby, the island resident who allegedly cut down 16 trees that were decades old in a neighbor’s yard to create an ocean view at his 3 Tautemo Way property out in the Cisco area in March, sold his property for $7,875,000 on October 7th, which was over $2 million less than the listing price of $9,975,000.
The property was on the market for 137 days (listed May 23rd). It was built in 1995 and newly renovated in 2024. The size of the land is .47 acres and some of the amenities include a deck, patio, porch, private pool, garden, and hot tub. It also provides views of Hummock Pond and (now), "sweeping views" of the Atlantic Ocean according to the property listing.
The property is a 10 room, four bed home with four full baths and three half baths.
Property Description: "Located on a high spot in sought-after Cisco, 3 Tautemo Way is a contemporary beach compound, developed and situated to capture the sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean, Hummock Pond, and the 780 acres of conservation land between Hummock Pond and Madaket. This well-designed property is very close to Cisco Beach and features a fully rebuilt and expanded upside-down main house which takes full advantage of the incredible views from the second floor, a brand-new guest cottage/pool house with an attached two-car garage, and a custom-designed Gunite pool and spa with a bluestone patio including a covered outdoor patio living room.
“This coastal property has been designed especially for modern beach life, the perfect haven in which to unwind and relax after a day at the beach or on the water. Soaring indoor spaces seamlessly transition to welcoming outdoor spaces including the covered outdoor living room with a television, fireplace, and coastal-rated ceiling fan, the 17’ x 27’ pool and 8’ x 10’ spa both with auto-covers, lush grounds and landscaping, two separate outdoor showers, and an expansive outdoor deck on the second floor of the main house with some of the finest sunset views on the island. Easy access to Cisco Beach and bike path, Bartlett Farm, Cisco Brewery, Miacomet Golf Club, 167 Raw Seafood, and historic downtown Nantucket. The property is offered tastefully furnished and turnkey.”
Jacoby was scheduled to be arraigned on September 15th in Nantucket District Court on charges of vandalizing property (felony), cutting/destroying trees (misdemeanor), and trespassing (misdemeanor), however his arraignment was pushed back to October 27th.
Jacoby is also facing a lawsuit that was filed by his neighbor, Patricia Belford, back in June who was the victim of the alleged tree-cutting act and is seeking over $1.4 million in damages.
According to the police report filed with the court, Nantucket police officers responded to the 1 Tautemo Way property on March 5th after receiving a report of unauthorized tree cutting. Upon his arrival, officer George Haddad observed trees and branches that had been freshly cut.
Haddad said that after conducting an investigation, it was determined that Jacoby had knowingly and willfully entered the 1 Tautemo Way property between February 22nd and March 2nd without authorization from the Belfords, and proceeded to knowingly and willfully destroy/damage the 1 Tautemo Way property by cutting and trimming numerous trees.
“Though not posted, this property’s border is made up of specifically placed large trees and bushes in order to create an obvious natural border surrounding the property," Haddad said in his report. "The only portion of this property not closed off by tree line is the driveway. This action was done with specific intent to completely deprive the property and its owners of these trees.”
Belford said in her lawsuit that the line of mature trees and vegetation had served for decades as a natural buffer and privacy screen between their home and neighboring parcels. The trees cut down included cedar, cherry, and leyland cypress, many of which were over 30 feet in height and decades old.
“The defendant's actions were calculated to enhance the ocean view from his own residence at 3 Tautemo Way and were carried out with full knowledge that he lacked any legal right to do so," the Belfords’ lawsuit says. "The trees at issue were planted by the Belford family in the 1970s and maintained for nearly five decades. Their removal was not only a violation of the plaintiff's property rights, but also caused lasting damage to the character, value, and privacy of the property.”
In an email to the Boston Globe, Jacoby stated, “I wasn't trespassing, I was clearing out her crappy trees” in response to the allegations.
Jacoby's former landscaper, Krasimir Kirilov, provided a voluntary statement to the police, in which he stated that Jacoby admitted to cutting down trees on the Belford property and that Jacoby had asked Kirilov to assist him with cleanup work. Kirilov said he was about to finish the cleanup when Belford's property manager, Matt Erisman, arrived at the property and was unaware of the cleanup work being done. Kirilov said that when he explained to Erisman what was going on, Erisman told him he had no idea what was happening. It led to Kirilov calling Jacoby, putting him on the phone with Erisman, and Erisman telling Kirilov he could leave after concluding his phone call with Jacoby.
In a statement provided by Erisman to the Current, he said, “The way I feel is that I am confident once all of the facts and evidence have been presented, that justice will be served. However, much of what has been taken from the Belfords is irreplaceable, and it's sickening."
The lawsuit adds that Jacoby was unable to provide any “legitimate documentation of consent and determined that the cutting was done in a targeted fashion to expand views from the upper story of Jacoby's house.”
The Current also learned that the Belfords are in an assisted living facility off-island.
“The loss of the trees has significantly diminished the value and character of the Belford Property,” the lawsuit says. “The trees were a mature and integral part of the landscape, planted and cared for by the Belford family for nearly 50 years. (The tree cutter’s) actions were not only economically damaging but also emotionally devastating for Belford. The family viewed the trees as part of their home and history. Their removal was deeply distressing to Belford and the Belford family.”