The purpose of this article is to provide regulations for the
landscaping of the various parcels and open spaces within the City
of Pleasantville in order to prevent soil erosion; enhance aesthetics;
reduce air, sound and light pollution; control winds and to provide
visual barrier as appropriate.
A.
With the exception of exempt development pursuant to § 300-10, each application for new development, as well as exterior renovations to existing development shall include a comprehensive landscape plan, addressing the entire development and integrating the various elements of site design, topography, parking and buffering requirements of this chapter in order to preserve and enhance the natural character of the lot where such character exists, or to create a pleasing visual environment where such character does not exist.
B.
Landscape plans shall be approved by the Planning Board or Zoning
Board of Adjustment, as the case may be, as part of the site plan/subdivision
approval process.
C.
With the exception of exempt development pursuant to § 300-10, landscape plans attendant to all other applications may be prepared by the applicant, his/her professional planner or professional engineer, or a horticulturist or landscaper.
D.
Landscape plans shall describe, in graphic and, as appropriate,
schedule form:
(1)
The location, quantity, common name, botanical (scientific) name,
size and installation details for each species, including size and
spacing at initial planting (either by caliper or width and height);
(2)
Information as to how the plants will be grown and moved (e.g., nursery
grown, moved by ball and burlap, bare roots or containerized, etc.);
(3)
The type of ground cover and mulches proposed;
(4)
Fence types and height;
(5)
The height, width, slope and planting cover of all berms;
(6)
The type of construction materials used in landscaping (e.g., railroad
ties, stone, paver, etc);
(7)
The sod/grass seed mixture, and, as applicable, rate of application;
(8)
Typical tree/shrub planting details, addressing existing and finished
grades, typical saucer berm graphic, area and depth of mulch, directions
for pruning, depth and width of pit, location and type of staking,
type of topsoil mixture and wrapping details for deciduous trees;
and
(9)
When existing natural growth is proposed to remain, the applicant
shall include the proposed methods to protect existing elements both
during and after construction.
E.
For the purposes of clarity, the landscape plan shall be an independent
sheet and not combined with other required submission items (i.e.,
a combined "Landscape and Grading Plan").
F.
Recognizing that landscaping involves biological life forms that
constantly evolve to changing environments, the regulations of this
chapter may be modified or waived at the request of an applicant,
provided that such waiver request is supported by evidence or testimony
from a qualified landscape professional, such as a horticulturist
or landscape architect.
A.
Topsoil preservation. Topsoil moved during the course of construction
shall be, to the extent practicable, cleaned to be free of roots,
branches, stumps and other tree parts, litter, stones, leaves, weeds,
brush, excess or scrap building materials and other debris, and then
redistributed on all regraded surfaces so as to provide at least four
inches of even cover to all nondeveloped areas of the site, and shall
be stabilized by seeding or planting.
B.
New topsoil. Where four inches of topsoil cannot be achieved by the redistribution/regarding of existing soils pursuant to § 300-67A, new, clean topsoil shall be added to provide for the minimum four inches coverage.
C.
Removal of debris. All stumps, tree parts, litter, brush, weeds,
excess or scrap building materials or other debris shall be removed
from the site and disposed in accordance with applicable law. No tree
stumps, portions of tree trunks or limbs shall be buried anywhere
on site. All dead or dying trees, standing or fallen, shall be removed
from the site and properly disposed of. Subject to approval of the
City Engineer, trees and limbs may be reduced to chips and used as
mulch in landscaped areas.
D.
Protection of existing plantings. Maximum effort shall be made to save specimen elements, as defined in § 300-10. No material or temporary soil deposits shall be placed within four feet of shrubs or 10 feet of trees designated to be retained and so designated on the preliminary and/or final landscape plan. Protective barriers of tree wells shall be installed around each plant and/or group of plants that are to remain on the site. Barriers shall not be supported by the plants they are protecting, but shall be self-supporting, shall be a minimum of four feet high and shall be constructed of a durable material that will last until construction is completed. Snow fences and slit fences are examples of acceptable barriers.
A.
Natural topography and vegetation shall be employed where possible.
The species utilized shall be appropriate for the site, considering
soil and wind conditions, slope, use of the site and purpose of the
plantings.
B.
Deciduous trees shall have at least a 2 1/2 inches' caliper
at planting, measured 12 inches above the ground, with a minimum standing
height of 10 feet.
C.
Sizes of evergreens trees and shrubs may vary depending on setting,
species and proposed use.
D.
Trees shall be nursery grown, of substantially uniform size and shape
with straight trunks (although ornamental trees need not have straight
trunks, but must conform in other respects with the provisions for
trees and tree plantings outlined herein). All trees shall be brought
to the site balled and burlapped, or other acceptable means, free
from insects and disease and true to species and variety.
E.
Trees, shrubs and ground cover shall be properly planted in accordance
with accepted horticultural standards, shall be properly staked until
established, and provision shall be made by the applicant for regular
watering and maintenance until established.
(1)
Staking.
(a)
Stakes are to be driven outside the root ball.
(b)
Stakes shall be hardwood. A minimum of two stakes shall be used
per tree.
(c)
Stakes shall be a minimum of two inches in diameter at the thick
end.
(d)
Stakes, when driven, must be 1/2 to 2/3 the height of the tree,
measured from ground level.
(e)
Stakes shall be attached to the tree with twelve-gauge galvanized
wire covered with rubber or plastic hose where wire is likely to come
in contact with the tree trunk. An alternative may be any of the commercially
available materials designed for staking trees as approved by the
Zoning Officer, Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment, as the
case may be. The loop in contact with the tree shall be loose enough
to permit growth and prevent girding for two years but shall be tightly
bound to the stake to prevent slipping.
(f)
Stakes shall remain in place at least two years and shall be
removed at that time.
(2)
Wrapping.
(a)
Deciduous trees shall be wrapped with an expandable paper or
cloth treated to last at least one year.
(b)
The wrap shall extend from the ground level to the first branches.
(c)
To prevent scald, the wrap shall be attached or fastened at
each end with a material that will permit growth without girding.
(3)
Saucers.
(a)
A ring of packed soil shall be placed around the finished planting
hole of each tree.
(b)
The saucer shall be a minimum of six inches higher than the
finished grade.
(c)
Saucers placed on slopes shall be level at the top end and perpendicular
to the tree trunk.
(d)
Saucers are to be designed to catch and hold the maximum amount
of water either from natural precipitation or irrigation.
(4)
Mulching.
(a)
A two-inch minimum layer of mulch shall be applied around each
individual tree or shrub or group of trees or shrubs.
(b)
Partially rotted or nitrogen-enriched wood chips may be used
(new chips are not acceptable as their natural bacteria draws nitrogen
from the soil, thus limiting the nitrogen available to the plants).
(5)
Tree pits and shrub pits shall be six inches deeper and at least
12 inches wider than the ball of the plant.
(6)
Planting. Plants shall be set straight and firmly tamped, and then
adequately watered, guyed, pruned and wrapped.
(7)
Backfill mixture. The types of backfill mixture shall consist of
2/3 topsoil and 1/3 peat, or other materials as required by specific
plants.
F.
Dead or dying plants, including those which have been transplanted
in accordance with the requirements of this chapter, shall be replaced
during the next recommended planting season.
G.
All landscape plans shall contain the following note: "All plant
material not surviving for a period of two years shall be replaced
with the same or equivalent size species."
H.
With the exception of single-family detached dwellings, all landscaped
areas shall be irrigated by an automatic/mechanical irrigation system.
I.
Wherever possible, landscaping shall promote creativity in design,
locations and species. For example, instead of planting trees in straight
rows, the applicant might group trees into clusters with different
combinations of species in each cluster.
A.
General requirements.
(1)
Plant species should be hardy for Climatic Zone 7 and appropriate
in terms of function and size.
(2)
Plant selection shall be varied to avoid monoculture, with species
selected for their ability to survive in an urban environment. Species
shall be salt tolerant if to be located in proximity to Lakes Bay
or Absecon Bay.
(3)
Tree species may vary depending on overall effect desired. However,
as a general rule, all street trees on a particular right-of-way shall
be the same species, except where otherwise desired to achieve a special
effect (as approved by the Zoning Officer, Planning Board or Zoning
Board of Adjustment, as the case may be). Species selection shall
be approved as part of the landscape plan.
B.
Street trees.
(1)
Only deciduous trees shall be used as street trees.
(2)
Street trees shall be installed in accordance with the approved landscape
plan. The trees shall be installed between the curbline and the sidewalk
when a grass area of at least one foot in width is provided. If the
distance between the curb and sidewalk is less than one foot, the
street trees shall be installed five feet behind the sidewalk. Trees
may be massed at critical points or spaced evenly along the street,
or both.
(3)
Street tree spacing.
(a)
When street trees are planted at intervals along streets, spacing
shall depend on tree size as follows:
|
Tree Size
|
Planting Interval
(feet on center)
| |
|---|---|---|
|
Trees 40 feet in height or taller at maturity
|
40 to 50
| |
|
Trees 30 feet to 40 feet in height at maturity
|
35 to 40
| |
|
Trees less than 30 feet in height at maturity
|
25 to 35
|
(b)
When the spacing interval exceeds 40 feet, small ornamental
trees may be spaced between the larger trees. If a street canopy effect
is desired, trees may be planted closer together, following the recommendation
of a New Jersey Licensed landscape architect. The trees shall be planted
so as not to interfere with utilities, roadways, sidewalks, sight
easements, sight triangles or streetlights. Tree location, landscaping
design and spacing shall be approved by the Zoning Officer, Planning
Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment, as the case may be, as the case
may be, as part of the landscape plan.
(4)
At intersections, trees shall not be located closer than 30 feet from the intersection of the street right-of-way lines, and may be further where the standards of § 300-47B increase the distance for sight triangles.
(5)
The landscape plan for street trees shall include a graphic tree-planting
detail which shall address the following:
(a)
Thinning of branches and foliage by 1/3. The leader shall not
be cut;
(b)
Staking and supporting in accordance with § 300-68E(1);
(c)
The trunk shall be protected by tree wrap;
(d)
Trees shall be mulched with three inches of approved organic
material;
(e)
A three-inch saucer shall be constructed around the planting
area;
(f)
The top of the burlap shall be untied and removed;
(g)
The ball shall rest on compacted soil; and
(h)
The diameter of the hole shall be two feet larger than the diameter
of the ball.
(6)
Although every site is unique, certain plant materials are known
to have difficulty surviving in urban areas, areas where salt air
is prevalent or other conditions commonly experienced in the City
of Pleasantville. Accordingly, except as noted herein, the following
species are prohibited:
|
Latin Name
|
Common Name
| |
|---|---|---|
|
All trees with thorns
| ||
|
Acer negundo
|
Box Elder
| |
|
Acer platanoides
|
Norway Maple
| |
|
Acer saccharinum
|
Silver Maple
| |
|
Acer buergerianum
|
Trident Maple Amur Maple
| |
|
Acer ginnala Acer triflorum
|
Three-flowered Maple
| |
|
Acer truncatum x platantoides 'Keithsform'
|
Norwegian Sunset Maple
| |
|
Aesculus spp.
|
Buckeyes (unless fruitless)
| |
|
Ailanthus altissima
|
Tree of Heaven
| |
|
Albizia julibrissin
|
Mimosa
| |
|
Aralia elata
|
Japanese Angelica
| |
|
Betula nigra
|
River Birch
| |
|
Betula papyrifera
|
Paper Birch
| |
|
Betula pendula
|
European White Birch
| |
|
Broussonetia papyrifera
|
Paper Mulberry
| |
|
Carya spp.
|
Hickories
| |
|
Catalpa speciosa
|
Catalpa
| |
|
Celtis koraiensis
|
Korean Hackberry
| |
|
Chionanthus retusus
|
Chinese Fringetree
| |
|
Chionanthus virginicus
|
Native Fringetree
| |
|
Cornus alternifolia
|
Pagoda Dogwood
| |
|
Crataegus laevigata
|
English Hawthorn
| |
|
Elaeagnus spp.
|
Hardy Olives
| |
|
Fraxinus pennylvanica
|
Green Ash
| |
|
Gleditsia triacanthos
|
Common Honey Locust
| |
|
Juglans nigra
|
Black Walnut
| |
|
Koelreuteria paniculata
|
Goldenrain Tree
| |
|
Liquidambar styraciflua
|
Sweetgum (unless Rotundiloba cultivar)
| |
|
Liriodendron tulipifera
|
Tuliptree
| |
|
Maclura pomifera
|
Osage orange
| |
|
Malus spp.
|
Crabapple (unless disease-resistant cultivar)
| |
|
Morus spp.
|
Mulberries
| |
|
Paulownia tomentosa
|
Empress Tree
| |
|
Pinus strobus
|
White Pine
| |
|
Populus deltoids
|
Cottonwood
| |
|
Populus nigra 'Italica'
|
Lombardy Poplar
| |
|
Prunus x 'Okame'
|
Okame Cherry
| |
|
Prunus serotina
|
Black Cherry
| |
|
Pyrus spp.
|
Flowering Pear (Note: Italicized text denotes
acceptable alternatives to Bradford Pear.)
| |
|
Robinia pseudoacacia
|
Black Locust
| |
|
Sophora japonica
|
Scholartree
| |
|
Sorbus spp.
|
Mountain Ash
| |
|
Styrax japonicus
|
Japanese Snowbell
| |
|
Syringa reticulate
|
Tree Lilac
| |
|
Tsuga canadensis
|
Eastern Hemlock
| |
|
Ulmus pumila
|
Siberian Elm
|
C.
Shade trees.
(1)
Only deciduous trees shall be used as shade trees installed adjacent
to streets or between sidewalks and streets.
(2)
Shade trees planted in the islands of parking areas shall be a mix
of evergreen and deciduous species; however, the first tree from the
intersection shall not be an evergreen.
(3)
By way of guidance, and without limitation:
(a)
Columnar trees shall be used for limited planting along narrow
streets, but shall not be planted between the curb and sidewalk.
(b)
Broad oval trees, globe-shaped trees and spreading-branch trees,
as well as coniferous trees may also be used.
(c)
Flowering trees may be used for decorative purposes.
D.
Acceptable species. Although every site is unique, the following
species have been found to be successful in locations similar to the
City of Pleasantville. Special consideration to the nature of the
soil, amount of sun, size of planting area, exposure to salt spray
or salt air and the existence of overhead wires and/or underground
utilities and other conditions should be given when considering a
specific plant for a particular application:
|
Latin Name
|
Common Name
| |
|---|---|---|
|
Deciduous Trees
| ||
|
Acer buergerianum*
|
Trident Maple
| |
|
Acer campestre*
|
Hedge Maple
| |
|
Acer ginnala*
|
Amur Maple
| |
|
Acer griseum*
|
Paperbark Maple
| |
|
Celtis occidentalis
|
Hackberry
| |
|
Cercidiphyllum japonicum
|
Katsura
| |
|
Chionanthus retusus*
|
Chinese Fringetree
| |
|
Chionanthus virginicus*
|
Native Fringetree
| |
|
Cornus kousa*
|
Kousa Dogwood
| |
|
Crataegus crus-galli var. inermis*
|
Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn
| |
|
Franklinia alatamaha*
|
Franklinia
| |
|
Gingko biloba
|
Maidenhair Tree (males only)
| |
|
Gleditsia triancanthos var. enermis
|
Honeylocust (thornless, podless cultivars only)
| |
|
Koelreuteria paniculata
|
Goldenrain Tree
| |
|
Lagerstroemia fauriei or L. indica*
|
Crapemyrtle
| |
|
Liquidambar styraciflua "Rotundiloba"
|
Fruitless Sweetgum
| |
|
Magnolia grandiflora "Little Gem"*
|
Little Gem Magnolia
| |
|
Magnolia virginiana*
|
Sweet Bay Magnolia
| |
|
Malus spp.*
|
Crabapple (disease-resistant cultivars only)
| |
|
Nyssa sylvatica
|
Sourgum
| |
|
Oxydendrum arboretum*
|
Sourwood
| |
|
Parrotia persica*
|
Persian Parrotia
| |
|
Platanus x acerifolia "Bloodgood"
|
Bloodgood London Planetree
| |
|
Quercus acutissima
|
Sawtooth Oak Swamp
| |
|
Quercus bicolor
|
White Oak
| |
|
Quercus phellos
|
Willow Oak
| |
|
Sophora japonica
|
Scholartree
| |
|
Styrax japonicus*
|
Japanese Snowbell
| |
|
Syringa reticulate*
|
Tree Lilac
| |
|
Taxodium distichum
|
Bald Cypress
| |
|
Ulmus parvifolia
|
Lacebark Elm
| |
|
Zelkova serrata
|
Japanese Zelkova
| |
|
Evergreen Trees
| ||
|
Cryptomeria japonica
|
Japanese Cryptomeria
| |
|
Cupressocyparis leyandii
|
Leyland Cypress
| |
|
Ilex opaca
|
American Holly
| |
|
Juniperus virginiana
|
Eastern Red Cedar
| |
|
Picea pungens "Glauca"
|
Blue Spruce
| |
|
Pinus thunbergii
|
Japanese Black Pine
| |
|
Deciduous Shrubs
| ||
|
Aronia arbutifolia
|
Chokeberry
| |
|
Buxus microphylla
|
Boxwood
| |
|
Clethra alnifolia
|
Summersweet
| |
|
Cotoneaster spp.
|
Rockspray
| |
|
Hydrangea macrophylla
|
Bigleaf Hydrangea
| |
|
Hydrangea quercifolia
|
Oakleaf Hydrangea
| |
|
Ilex verticillata
|
Winterberry
| |
|
Myrica pensylvanica
|
Bayberry
| |
|
Rosa rugosa
|
Rugosa Rose
| |
|
Spiraea spp.
|
Spirea
| |
|
Syringa patula "Miss Kim"
|
Compact Lilac
| |
|
Vaccinium corymbosum
|
Highbush Blueberry
| |
|
Viburnum dentatum
|
Arrowwood
| |
|
Viburnum opulus
|
European cranberry bush
| |
|
Viburnum prunifolium
|
Blackhaw Viburnum
| |
|
Evergreen Shrubs
| ||
|
Chamaecyparis spp.
|
False cypress
| |
|
Ilex cornuta
|
Chinese Holly
| |
|
Ilex glabra
|
Inkberry
| |
|
Juniperus chinensis
|
Chinese Juniper
| |
|
Juniperus conferta
|
Shore Juniper
| |
|
Mahonia aquifolium
|
Oregon Holly Grape
| |
|
Mahonia bealei
|
Leatherleaf mahonia
| |
|
Taxus spp.
|
Yews
| |
|
NOTES:
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
*
|
Denotes potential trees to plant under overhead wires.
| |
E.
Buffer areas.
(1)
Buffer areas shall be developed in an aesthetic manner for the primary
purpose of providing year-round visual screening and noise reduction
in order to minimize adverse impacts from a site on an adjacent property
or from adjacent areas, and may consist of a combination of fencing;
evergreen trees, shrubbery or hedges; berms; rocks/boulders; decorative
masonry; or other elements to achieve the stated objectives.
(2)
Buffer areas shall be planted and maintained with either grass or
ground cover together with a screen of live shrubs or scattered planting
of live trees, shrubs or other plant materials. The preservation of
natural wooded areas shall be an integral part of all development
plans, and natural wooded areas located along a site boundary shall
be integrated into the required buffer area, provided that the growth
is of a density and width sufficient for buffering purposes. Additional
plantings may be required by the Zoning Officer, Planning Board or
Zoning Board of Adjustment, as the case may be, to establish an appropriate
tone for an effective buffer.
(3)
Buffering shall be required when topographical or other barriers
do not provide reasonable screening and when the Zoning Officer, Planning
Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment, as the case may be, determines
that there is a need to shield the site from adjacent properties in
order to minimize adverse impacts, such as incompatible land uses,
noise, glaring light and traffic. For example, but without limitation,
a board may require landscaping, fences or walls to ensure privacy
and screen dwelling units in small-lot developments when site and
building design do not provide adequate privacy.
(4)
Buffer widths shall be measured horizontally and perpendicular to
lot and street lines.
(5)
The location and design of buffer areas are intended to provide flexibility
in providing effective screening. The following shall be considered
in designing buffer areas:
(a)
The use of the portion of the property being screened;
(b)
The distance between the use and the adjoining property line;
(c)
The difference in elevations;
(d)
The type of buffer (i.e., dense planting, existing woods, walls
or fences);
(e)
Buffer height and width; and
(f)
Other combinations of man-made and natural features.
(6)
The buffer shall be designed, planted, graded, landscaped and developed
with the general guideline that the closer a use or activity is to
a property line, or the more intense the use, the more effective the
buffer area must be in obscuring light and vision and reducing noise
beyond the site.
(7)
Buffer areas and landscape screens shall consist predominately of
evergreen species having a minimum height of five feet above the ground
when planted. Such evergreens shall be placed five feet o.c. in two
or more staggered rows with a five feet separation between rows. The
selected trees shall be thickly branched and dense, especially close
to the ground, and shall have a fast growth rate in the early years.
Evergreens may be supplemented with deciduous and flowering trees
having a minimum 10 feet height at time of planting with a minimum
caliper of two inches.
(8)
No structure, activity, storage of materials or parking of vehicles
shall be permitted in a buffer area.
(9)
Except as otherwise provided for herein, buffers shall be a minimum
of 15 feet wide and shall be designed, planted, graded and landscaped
to provide an aesthetically pleasing separation of uses.
(10)
Where required, buffers shall be measured from side and rear
properly lines, excluding access driveways.
(11)
If, in the judgment of the Zoning Officer, Planning Board or
Zoning Board of Adjustment, as the case may be, the buffer area depicted
on the landscape plan will not adequately screen the site as required
by this section, the landscape plan shall be modified to increase,
enhance and/or redesign the buffer to achieve the desired effect.
(12)
Where residential development abuts higher-order streets (collectors
or arterials), units should front on internal streets with landscape
buffers from the collector and arterial roads as applicable.
(13)
Buffer plantings shall be broken at points of vehicular and
pedestrian ingress and egress to assure a clear sight triangle at
all street and driveway intersections.
(14)
Off-street parking areas, loading areas and driveways. Except
for single-family detached and two-family dwelling units:
(a)
Off-street parking areas, garbage/recycling collection areas,
utility areas and loading/unloading areas shall be screened around
their perimeter by a minimum five-foot-wide buffer consisting of screen
plantings, berms, fences, walls, or combinations thereof, not less
than four feet in height between the subject area and any lot line
or street line, except where a building serves as the buffer between
the parking area and the lot line or street line.
(b)
All loading areas shall be landscaped and screened sufficiently
to obscure the view of the parked vehicles and loading platforms from
any public street, adjacent property or residential zoning district
for the full 12 months of the year. Such screening shall be made via
an extension of the building, fence, berm, wall or planting, or combination
thereof, and shall not be less than four feet in height.
(c)
Each off-street parking area shall reserve a minimum 5% of its
land area for landscaped islands, distributed throughout the parking
area in order to break the view of parked cars in a manner not impairing
visibility.
(d)
Parking areas located in front of buildings shall be generously
landscaped to separate them from adjacent sidewalks and/or roadways.
(e)
One shade tree, measuring a minimum of 2 1/2 inches caliper
at planting, shall be provided for every three parking spaces. Trees
shall be staggered or spaced so as not to interfere with driver vision,
and have branches no lower than six feet from grade.
(f)
Areas adjacent to driveways shall be planted with low-lying
plants or grass.
(15)
The following trees are prohibited in all buffer areas.
|
Latin Name
|
Common Name
| |
|---|---|---|
|
Abies pinsapo
|
Spanish Fir
| |
|
Araucaria araucana
|
Monkey Puzzle
| |
|
Araucaria heterophylla
|
Norfolk Island Pine
| |
|
Cedrus atlantica
|
Atlas Cedar
| |
|
Cedrus libani
|
Lebanese Cedar
| |
|
Cryptomeria japonica lobbii
|
Lobb's Japanese Cedar
| |
|
Cunninghamia lanceolata
|
Chinese Fir
| |
|
Gingko biloba
|
Maidenhair Tree
| |
|
Larix decidua
|
European Larch
| |
|
Larix kaempferi or L. leptolepis
|
Japanese Larch
| |
|
Pinus wallichiana
|
Himalayan Pine
| |
|
Pinus parviflora
|
Japanese White Pine
| |
|
Pinus peuce
|
Macedonian Pine
| |
|
Pinus ponderosa
|
Ponderosa Pine
| |
|
Pinus thunbergii
|
Japanese Black Pine
| |
|
Taxodium distichum (except for wet areas)
|
Common Bald Cypress
| |
|
Torreya nucifera
|
Japanese Torreya
|
F.
Additional landscaping: in addition to the street tree and buffer area requirements of § 300-69B and E:
(1)
For residential development, additional landscaping elements shall
be required where necessary for climate control, privacy or aesthetic
purposes.
(2)
For nonresidential development, all areas not occupied by buildings
and required improvements shall be landscaped by the planting of grass
or other ground cover, shrubs and trees.
(3)
Regional Shopping Center (RSC) Zoning District:
(b)
All areas not covered by buildings, sidewalks or paving shall
be landscaped.
(c)
A planted area, no less than 25 feet in width at primary street
frontage, 10 feet at rear yard and no less than five feet wide at
side yards, composed of lawn, shrubbery, trees, decorative crushed
rock, gravel or bark, shall be placed and continuously maintained
in a proper and attractive manner exclusive of driveway and access
openings.
(d)
The integrity of all landscaped plantings and buffer areas shall
be protected by adequate maintenance and necessary replacement of
plant materials. Plant material shall be sufficiently hardy to withstand
the rigors of weather, vehicle emission, wind blast, heat, glare,
cold and other physical conditions common to this section of the City.
All materials shall be adequately protected from damage resulting
from traffic movement, pedestrian circulation or other physical conditions
by designed curbing, fencing, dry wells, vent tiles, grasses and similar
protective measures.
(e)
Adequate screening, composed of masonry walls or fencing of
an approved design, dense plantings of evergreen shrubs or trees,
berms, depression of visible portions of the site below the grade,
or similar measures, shall be carried out to ensure that loading areas
will not be visible from any adjoining property.
(4)
Light Industrial (LI) Zoning District. All uses in the Light Industrial
Zoning District shall be screened from view from any public right-of-way
or adjacent property by a fence or wall, as well as by an appropriate
combination of plant material in order to soften the appearance of
said fence or wall. The adequacy and acceptability of the landscaping
plan shall be determined by the approving Board.
A.
Purpose.
(1)
The purpose of this section is to establish protective regulations
for trees within the City of Pleasantville in order to assist in the
control of flooding, soil erosion, air pollution and noise pollution;
protect the public health, safety and welfare of citizens; and promote
quality development in the City and to encourage the protection of
the greatest number of trees in general, and of specimen trees in
particular, throughout the City.
(2)
Every attempt shall be made by applicants to save existing trees,
even at the loss of parking spaces. Groupings of trees should be saved
over single trees.
(3)
Recognizing that wild trees often do not survive when their habitat
is drastically altered, care should be taken by the Zoning Officer,
Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment, as the case may be,
to properly evaluate site clearing proposals. Where loss of trees
is proposed, a compensatory planting plan is required.
B.
Tree protection plan. A tree protection plan shall be required as
part of the landscape plan where one or more live trees are proposed
to be cut or removed from the site during development. Such plan shall
be submitted at time of application and shall contain the following
information:
(1)
The location of all buildings, driveways, grading, septic fields,
easements, underground utility lines, rights-of-way and other existing
or proposed improvements.
(2)
The location of existing natural features, including wooded areas,
watercourses, wetlands and floodplains.
(3)
The limits of the proposed tree protection zone.
(4)
The location of all existing live trees with trunk diameters eight
inches or greater, measured 4 1/2 feet above ground level. Each
such tree shall be noted by its species, size and general health condition.
(a)
Whenever possible, the actual canopy spread shall be shown.
If it must be estimated, the canopy shall equal 1 1/2 feet of
diameter per one inch of trunk diameter.
(b)
Where the density of forestation makes identification of individual
trees impracticable, only the outermost individuals/canopy line need
be shown, unless disturbance is proposed, then individual trees located
within 50 feet of the proposed edge of the woodland shall be shown.
(5)
A clear indication of each tree (or groups of trees) to be removed
or transplanted.
(6)
A chart depicting each tree proposed for removal, indicating their diameters and replacements pursuant to the compensatory tree schedule as required by the compensatory planting plan detailed in § 300-70D.
(7)
Specifications for the removal of existing trees and the protection
in place of existing trees where they are to be preserved, including
detail(s) of the Tree-protection fencing.
C.
The stripping of trees or filling more than six inches around trees shall not be permitted unless it can be demonstrated that construction requirements necessitate these actions, in which case the lots shall be replanted with trees to reestablish the tone of the area and to conform to adjacent lots in accordance with the compensatory planting schedule detailed in § 300-70D.
D.
Compensatory planting plan. In the event that preservation of existing
trees within the tree protection zone is not practicable, and where
a redesign of the project or relocation of improvements is not possible,
a compensatory planting plan shall be required to replace each live
tree proposed to be removed from the tree protection zone and each
specimen tree proposed to be removed anywhere from the site. The compensatory
planting plan shall include the following:
(1)
Compensatory trees shall be provided in the following ratios, applicable
to both dciduous and evergreen trees.
(a)
For trees eight inches to 17 inches in diameter, one new tree
shall be provided for every one existing tree cut or removed.
(b)
For trees 18 inches to 30 inches in diameter, two new trees
shall be provided for every one existing tree cut or removed.
(c)
For trees 31 inches in diameter or greater, three new trees
shall be provided for every one existing tree cut or removed.
(d)
One street tree shall be replanted in the street tree planting
strip for each existing street tree cut or removed.
(2)
In evaluating existing trees for compensatory planting, trunk diameters
shall be measured according to the following guidelines:
(a)
Single-trunked shade trees shall be measured at a point 4 1/2
feet above ground level at the location of the tree.
(b)
Single-trunked ornamental trees shall be measured at a point
12 inches above ground level at the location of the tree.
(c)
Evergreen trees shall be measured at a point 12 inches above
ground level at the location of the tree.
(d)
Multitrunked trees that branch between one feet and 4 1/2
feet above ground level at the location of the tree shall be measured
at a point just below the split.
(e)
Multitrunked trees that branch below one feet above ground level
at the location of the tree, the diameter shall be 60% of the sum
total of all trunks measured at a point 4 1/2 feet above such
ground level.
(3)
Compensatory trees shall be three inches to 3 1/2 inches in
caliper at time of planting. Evergreen and ornamental trees may be
substituted at a ratio of two to one for every shade tree otherwise
required, for up to 50% of the requirement. Alternative types of compensatory
plantings may be permitted when approved by the Zoning Officer, Planning
Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment, as the case may be.
(4)
The locations of compensatory trees must be clearly labeled on the
landscape plan. Planting locations shall be as close to the tree it
replaces as possible.
(5)
The planting of compensatory trees shall be in addition to, and not
substitute for, plantings otherwise required by this chapter.
E.
In the event that the applicant establishes, to the satisfaction
of the Zoning Officer, Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment,
as the case may be, that constraints incidental to the land itself,
including, without limitation, extreme topography, unsuitable soils,
rock outcrops and existing dense canopy, render it impractical to
provide the required number of compensatory trees, the Zoning Officer
or Board may, at its sole discretion, require/permit the applicant
to:
(1)
Install compensatory trees on other public lands within the City;
(2)
Contribute to the City the estimated cost of those trees which cannot
practically be installed on the property for later installation of
trees on public lands; and/or
(3)
Install fewer but larger or more valuable compensatory trees on the
site with an aggregate cost as installed and guaranteed not less than
the estimated aggregate cost of the required number of compensatory
trees.
F.
Compensatory planting is not required for shrubs, unless the area
of disturbance includes specimen shrubbery, in which case an appropriate
compensation plan for such shrubbery shall be submitted.
A.
Fences and walls when serving as a fence, may be erected anywhere
on a lot, subject to the following (For these purposes, the terms
"fences" and "walls" shall be interchangeable.):
(1)
No fence shall be located within a dedicated right-of-way.
(2)
Fences shall be exempt from the setback requirements for accessory
uses established by this chapter.
(3)
All perimeter fences shall be placed not less than two inches inside
of the property line.
(4)
Fence height shall be measured from the finished grade at the location
of each fence post.
(5)
Fences located in the front yard of a lot, including the primary
front yards on corner lots, shall not exceed four feet in height.
For fences located in the secondary or other front yards of a corner
lot (i.e., any front yard other than the primary front yard), a fence
of up to six feet in height is permitted rearward of lines drawn parallel
to each front lot line through the points of the principal building
or structure that are the most distant from each such front lot line.
(6)
Rear yard privacy fences.
(a)
Fences located in the Side yard of a lot shall not exceed four
feet in height between the front lot line and a line drawn parallel
to the front lot line through the rear-most point of the principal
building or structure on such Lot. Rearward of such point, fences
shall not exceed a six feet in height.
(b)
Where a principal building or structure is shaped such that
the prevailing width (i.e., 50% or more of the building's width measured
parallel to the front lot line) lies forward of the rear-most point
of such building or structure, six-foot fences shall be permitted
to extend forward of the rear-most point of the principal building
or structure to the rear-most point of the prevailing width of the
building. Forward of such point, fences shall not exceed a four feet
in height.
 |
(7)
Where a property runs street-to-street, the street frontage of the
property which does not include the primary entrance to the structure
shall be treated as a rear yard for fence height purposes.
(8)
Fences in the rear or side yard of a nonresidential use within a
residential zoning district, or of any nonresidential use outside
of a residential zoning district but facing or abutting the boundaries
of a residential zoning district, may be erected to a height of seven
feet to screen the nonresidential activities from the view of abutting
residences.
(9)
Nothing herein shall be construed to preclude landscaping acting as a fence from being planted or allowed to grow beyond the height limits enumerated in § 300-71A(6), (7) and (8).
(10)
No fence shall be erected, placed or, in the case of landscaping
acting as a fence, planted or allowed to grow, in a sight triangle
as to materially impede vision between a height of 2 1/2 feet
and 10 feet above the center-line grades of the intersecting streets
adjacent to the corner.
(11)
Subject to the provisions of the International Building Code,
fences enclosing swimming pools shall be a minimum of four feet in
height and fitted with a self-closing, self-locking gate to prevent
unauthorized or accidental entry or unauthorized use of the swimming
pool. Such fencing may be erected so as to enclose only the swimming
pool, in which case the height of the fence shall be six feet, the
yard in which the pool is located or the entire property.
(12)
Except where specifically prohibited under the terms of any
other applicable ordinance or regulations of the City, nothing herein
shall be construed to prohibit the use of hedges, trees or other plantings
anywhere on the lot.
(13)
All fences or walls that have a front or finished side and a
rear or unfinished side shall be erected so that the unfinished side
shall face inward toward the property the fence is designed to protect.
(14)
Concertina, barbed or razor wire fences are prohibited.
(15)
Except for commercially available pet fences wherein the animal
is fitted with a specialized collar to receive electric impulses,
electrified fences are prohibited.
