A. 
Purpose. The intent of this section is to establish letting design criteria that will result in an orderly pattern of land development in the Township.
B. 
All lots shall satisfy the minimum area and yard requirements for the applicable zoning district with land situated entirely within Riverside Township. Undersized lots shall not be created except if there are sufficient reasons for the Planning Board to grant a variance without impacting the zone plan.
C. 
Insofar as is practical, side lot lines shall be either at right angles or radial to street lines.
D. 
All lots shall front upon an approved public street except where private streets are shown on an approved site plan or subdivision plan.
E. 
Through lots with frontage on two streets shall only be permitted under the following conditions:
(1) 
Where the lot abuts an arterial or major collector street and access to a street of lower importance would improve traffic flow;
(2) 
Where the length of the lot between both streets is of a length that future division of the lot into two lots is improbable; or
(3) 
Where access will be gained from the street of lower classification and access to the street of higher importance is prohibited on the development plan and in the deed.
F. 
Where extra width has either been dedicated or provided for widening of existing streets, lots shall begin at such new street line and all setbacks shall be measured from such line.
G. 
All lots shall be suitable for their intended purpose. The Planning Board may withhold approval of any lots that are not deemed suitable for their intended purposes due to factors such as steep slopes, poor drainage conditions, flooding conditions, unique natural features, or other substantive environmental condition. If the approval of any lot is withheld due lot suitability concerns, the Planning Board shall specify the reasons for this action in the resolution.
A. 
Purpose. The intent of this section is to establish block design criteria to be applied throughout the Township in major development.
B. 
Block length, width and acreage within the block's boundary roads shall be sufficient to accommodate the size lot required in that zoning district and to provide for convenient access, circulation control and traffic safety.
C. 
Residential blocks in excess of 1,000 feet are discouraged. If blocks of this length are proposed, pedestrian crosswalks or bikeways between lots may be required in locations deemed necessary by the Planning Board. They shall be at least 10 feet wide and be straight from street to street. Blocks over 1,500 feet in residential areas shall be prohibited.
D. 
For commercial and industrial uses, block lengths shall be sufficient to meet area and yard requirements for such uses and to provide proper street access and circulation patterns.
E. 
Block end planting. In cases where lot and block design results in undesirable sighting down rear property lines from block ends, a landscape screen of evergreen trees not less than six feet in height shall be provided as block ends by the developer. The screen shall be a minimum of 30 feet in length and centered on the rear property line and at six feet from the edge of sidewalk. The screen shall not affect any sight triangles.
A. 
Purpose. The intent of this section is to preserve the natural features that are present on the development site to the extent possible.
B. 
Existing conditions. The existing conditions plan shall identify the important natural features on the proposed development site including, but not limited to, trees, watercourses, wetlands, hilltops, unique natural habitats, and scenic vistas.
C. 
Trees. Existing trees shall be preserved by the developer to the fullest extent possible. Special consideration shall be given to the layout of the subdivision or land development and the positioning of dwelling or structures to ensure that existing trees are preserved. Special precautions shall also be taken to protect existing trees during the process of grading lots and roads. On individual lots, care shall be taken to preserve selected trees to enhance soil stability and the landscape treatment of the area.
D. 
Watercourses. Where a development is traversed by, or abuts, a lake, pond or stream, the boundaries or alignment of said watercourse shall be preserved and shall conform substantially with the natural alignment or boundary.
E. 
Unique features. Unique physical features such as historic landmarks, rock outcroppings, hilltop lookouts and similar features shall be preserved if possible. The Planning Board may, after proper investigation, withhold approval of the lotting of such area or areas.
F. 
Wooded buffer strips. Buffer stripes may be required on all wooded tracts around the perimeter or rear of the development. Such buffer strips, however, may be used in calculating the area of individual lots.
G. 
Replacement of trees. In the event that any tree which is shown on the approved site plan or subdivision plan as being preserved is removed or killed during development of the property and prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the Zoning Officer shall issue a written order to the owner of the property directing that the tree, including the stump, shall be entirely removed and replaced with one or more trees of equivalent landscape value as determined in accordance with the current International Shade Tree Evaluation Chart. The replacement tree shall have a diameter of not less than two inches measured at a point four feet above the top of the root ball. The number of replacement trees shall be based on the diameter of the destroyed tree with one replacement tree to be provided for each 12 inches or part thereof of diameter of the destroyed tree. At the time that a replacement tree is planted, the owner of the property shall furnish a maintenance guarantee conditioned upon survival of the tree for a period of one year or one full growing season, whichever is longer, in the amount of $200 per replacement tree.
H. 
Treatment of injured trees. In the event that any tree which is shown on a site plan or subdivision plan as being preserved is injured during development of the property and prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy, such tree shall be promptly treated in accordance with accepted tree care practices.
A. 
Where the Master Plan or Official Map of the Township delineates floodplains, wetlands, and other critical areas, conservation easements shall be delineated on the land development plan. The removal of trees and ground cover within a conservation easement shall be prohibited, except for the following purposes:
(1) 
The removal of dead or diseased trees.
(2) 
Limited thinning of trees and growth to encourage the most desirable growth.
(3) 
The removal of trees to allow for structures designed to impound water or in areas to be flooded in the creation of ponds or lakes.
B. 
Conservation easements shall be shown on the land development plans in such a manner that their boundaries can be accurately determined. The boundary line of any easement shall be monumented at its intersection with all existing or proposed street lines. Such easement dedication shall be expressed on the plat as follows: "Conservation easement granted to the Township of Riverside as provided for in the Land Use Ordinance of the Township of Riverside."
Monuments shall be the size and shape required by N.J.S.A. 46:23-9.11 and shall be placed in accordance with the statute and indicated on the final plan or plat.