[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township
of Sandyston as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
[Adopted 7-8-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-11]
The following provisions are intended to control and regulate
the indiscriminate or excessive removal, large-scale clear-cutting
and destruction of trees and to control, regulate and prevent conditions
which cause an increase in stormwater runoff, decrease aquifer recharge,
impair the ambiance or physical appearance of an individual property
or neighborhood or unreasonably and/or unnecessarily diminish the
natural vegetative screening or natural landscape viewscapes. These
provisions are not intended to regulate tree cutting on lands with
a state-approved forestry plan or tree cutting associated with a farm-qualified
parcel where the tree removal is necessary for farming operations.
Additionally, these provisions are not intended to restrict an individual
property owner from selectively removing trees that are damaged, diseased
or otherwise hazardous to life and property.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
The Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Standard measure of tree size for trees to be newly planted.
The measurement is taken six inches above the ground for trees four
inches in diameter or less and 12 inches above the ground for trees
over four inches in diameter.
The removal of all standing trees on a lot or portion of
a lot.
Diameter of a tree measured 4 1/2 feet (forestry method)
above the ground level on the downhill side for existing trees. Diameter
at breast height may appear as the abbreviation "DBH."
A limiting line established by a series of perpendicular
drip points marking the maximum radius of the crown of an existing
tree, but not less than six feet from the trunk, whichever is greater,
and within which no construction or disturbances shall occur.
Any person or entity whose existence is recognized by law,
including, but not limited to, any individual, partnership, corporation
(for-profit, nonprofit or municipal and its agencies), municipal employee,
government employee, firm, association or any combination of the foregoing.
A nursery-grown certified tree, properly balled, marked with
a durable label indicating genus, species and variety, and satisfying
the standards established for nursery stock and installation thereof
set forth by the American Association of Nurserymen.
Any self-supporting woody plant which reaches a typical mature
height of 12 feet or more and has a typical DBH of four inches or
greater.
The top layer or crown of mature trees.
Exempt from this article are subdivisions, site plans, amended
subdivisions and amended site plans that have been approved prior
to the effective date of this article. Parcels which have obtained
a state-approved forestry plan to operate a forestry management program
on their lot or tract are exempt. Selective removal of damaged, dead
or diseased trees that pose a threat to life or property are exempt
from these provisions. Removal of trees associated with farming operations
and/or construction of farm buildings on a farm-qualified parcel are
exempt from these provisions. Removal of trees for a permitted use
not requiring Planning-Zoning Board approval, i.e., construction of
one single-family residence, are exempt from these provisions. However,
should any of the exemptions above then become the subject of a Planning-Zoning
Board application within two years of said removal of trees, the applicant
shall propose tree replacement according to the tree replacement schedule.
A.
Tree removal proposal. Each application to the Planning Board and
Zoning Board of Adjustment for approval of a major or minor subdivision
or a site plan that proposes or requires the removal of trees, to
ensure compliance with this section, shall include a tree removal
proposal. The proposal shall include the following information:
(1)
A list of trees to be removed with a DBH equal to or greater than
six inches identified by size and species, including total number
of each species to be removed;
(2)
Purpose of tree removal (new construction, street or roadway, driveway,
utility easement, recreation areas, parking lot, etc.);
(3)
Proof that there are no delinquent property taxes or assessments
due on the property for which the application is submitted; and
(4)
Such other information as may be deemed necessary in order to effectively
review the proposal.
B.
Landscape plan. The following information shall be provided on a
landscape plan prepared by an architect, professional engineer or
planner and submitted with the proposal for tree removal. For major
subdivisions and site plans, the preparation of landscaping plans
shall be prepared by a certified landscape architect (CLA). The landscape
plan must be submitted and approved prior to tree removal.
(1)
Base information.
(a)
Location of existing tree stands or groups of trees within the
property boundaries.
(b)
Location of individual trees with a DBH equal to or greater
than six inches identified by size and species within the area of
development and/or limits of disturbance.
(c)
Location of individual existing trees and their driplines noted
for preservation within the area of development and/or limits of disturbance
identified by size and species. Where clusters of trees exist on the
site or are contiguous with adjacent sites, fragmentation of the cluster
shall be avoided where practical.
(d)
Location of all required replacement trees.
(e)
Clear labeling of the areas intended for tree or vegetation
removal.
(f)
Tree protection material details and limit of disturbance line.
(g)
Location of existing and proposed buildings or structures.
(h)
All bodies of water and wetlands, including water retention
and detention areas.
(i)
Location of all existing driveways and parking areas.
(2)
Design requirements.
(a)
Only those trees necessary to permit the construction of buildings,
structures, streets, driveways, infrastructure and other authorized
improvements shall be removed. Existing vegetation shall be preserved
to the greatest extent feasible.
(b)
No more than 60% of the existing tree canopy within the property
boundaries shall be removed. The location of the remaining 40% of
the tree canopy shall be preserved and shall be noted on the landscape
plan. Steep slope limits of disturbance shall supersede this subsection
when appropriate.
(c)
No more than 10% of existing trees with a DBH equal to or greater
than 10 inches within the area of development or limits of disturbance
shall be removed unless the applicant shall replant trees removed
in accordance with the tree replacement schedule.
(d)
Landscape standards may be waived by the approving authority
when trees and/or shrub masses are preserved and/or relocated on site
that effectively substitute for the landscape requirements contained
in this section.
(e)
The approving authority shall have the option of requiring a
conservation easement to protect any or all trees or tree canopy areas
to remain on site. All trees, vegetation and plantings proposed and/or
required to be preserved or established shall be protected by means
of a conservation easement which shall name the Township of Sandyston,
in the County of Sussex, as a third-party beneficiary thereof, having
the right, but not the obligation, to enforce the same by any legal
or equitable means with the cost of such enforcement action, including
reasonable attorney's fees, being awarded to the prevailing party.
(3)
Site protection.
(a)
Tree protection measures and the limits of disturbance line
shown on the landscape plan shall be provided in the field with snow
or silt fencing, or other durable material, and verified by the Township
Engineer or other designated official, prior to soil disturbances.
(b)
Protective barriers shall not be supported by the plants they
are protecting, but shall be self-supporting. Barriers shall be a
minimum of two feet high and shall last until construction is complete.
(c)
Permanent fencing may be required for tree protection if warranted
by site conditions and relative rarity of the plant.
(d)
Snow or silt fencing used for tree protection shall be firmly
secured along the dripline, but shall be not less than six feet from
the trunk.
(e)
The grade of the land located within the dripline shall not
be raised or lowered more than 6 inches unless compensated by welling
or retaining wall methods, and in no event shall welling or retaining
walls be less than six inches from the trunk of a tree.
(f)
No soil stockpiling, storage of building materials, construction
equipment or vehicles shall be permitted within the dripline or within
six feet of any remaining trees, whichever is greater.
(g)
Any clearing within the dripline, or within six feet of the
trunk of a remaining tree, whichever is greater, shall be done by
hand-operated equipment.
(h)
Where a tree that has been noted for preservation is severely
damaged or diseased and is unable to survive, tree replacement shall
occur as provided in the tree replacement schedule.
A.
The replacement of trees shall occur as prescribed in the following
schedule:
|
Tree Replacement Schedule
| |
|---|---|
|
Caliper of Existing Tree Removed
(inches)
|
Number of Replacement Trees
(three-inch caliper)
|
|
Less than 6 inches
|
1
|
|
Between 6 and 12
|
3
|
|
Between 12 and 18
|
4
|
|
Between 18 and 24
|
5
|
|
Between 24 and 30
|
7
|
|
Between 30 and 36
|
10
|
|
36 or greater
|
The equivalent of three-inch caliper trees or greater needed
to equal the DBH of the removed tree
|
B.
Replacement trees shall be of nursery stock, balled and burlapped.
Where, because of unusual conditions relating to the site in question,
it is impractical to fully comply with the tree replacement schedule
set forth hereinabove, the approving authority shall have the option
of approving an alternative tree replacement schedule for other areas
of the site or for other sites.
C.
Replacement trees shall be selected from the following species or
closely related equivalents:
(1)
Large trees.
(a)
Acer rubrum - Red Maple.
(b)
Acer saccharum - Sugar Maple.
(c)
Carya ovata - Shagbark Hickory.
(d)
Tulip Poplar.
(e)
Fagus grandifolia - American Beech.
(f)
White Ash.
(g)
Platanus occidentalis - American Sycamore.
(h)
Pinus strobus - Eastern White Pine.
(i)
White Oak.
(j)
Quercus rubra - Northern Red Oak.
D.
The planting of replacement trees shall be done by or supervised
by a person with horticultural training in tree care and planting
methods.
E.
Newly planted replacement trees shall be monitored for a period of
one year to ensure the health of the trees. Any tree planted which
does not survive for a period of one year from the date of planting
shall be replaced with a tree of the same or similar species.
A.
Prior to taking final action upon any application for tree removal,
an inspection of the site may be made, as appropriate, by the Township
Engineer to assist the approving authority in administering the application.
B.
All individual trees proposed for removal and all groups or stands
of trees proposed for removal shall be marked to facilitate inspection
by the approving authority or its representative.
C.
The Township Engineer shall periodically inspect the site throughout
the duration of construction in order to ensure compliance with this
article. Such inspection shall be made of the site referred to in
the application, and of contiguous lands, as well as of lands in the
vicinity of the application, for the purpose of determining drainage
conditions and physical conditions existing thereon.
A.
The Township Engineer shall be notified, in writing, at least seven
business days prior to the tree removal activity.
B.
The notice shall include information as to the manner of disposal
of the removed trees.
C.
Dead or diseased trees shall not be turned into mulch and applied
to the site, but shall be disposed of in a manner so as to not disease
other trees on site.
The Township Attorney and Township Engineer shall be consulted
as to the establishment of a bond for the vegetation for the one-year
period. This shall be done as a separate bond that is released upon
the planner's or engineer's inspection and verification as to the
health of the plants. The engineer shall also identify any need for
additional funds for inspection fees based on this section.
