[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council
of the Borough of Glen Rock 6-23-1975 by Ord. No. 819 (Ch. XXI of the 1971 Revised
General Ordinances). Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
When used in determining the measurement of all trees, that
diameter as measured 12 inches above the natural grade.
[Amended 2-19-2003 by Ord. No. 1427]
A.
Established, composition.
[Amended 4-10-2006 by Ord. No. 1528]
(1)
There is hereby established a Shade Tree Advisory
Committee consisting of five members who shall all be residents of
the Borough, one of whom shall be designated as Chairperson. All members
of the Shade Tree Advisory Committee shall be appointed by the Mayor,
with the advice and consent of the Borough Council. In addition, there
shall be two ex officio nonvoting members of the Committee consisting
of one member of the governing body, designated by the Mayor, and
the Director of the Department of Public Works.
(2)
There shall also be appointed two alternate members
of the Committee, appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent
of the Council. The alternate members shall be residents of the Borough.
The alternate members shall be designated as "Alternate No. 1" and
"Alternate No. 2," respectively, and each alternate shall retain said
designation during the term of which he/she was appointed. During
the absence of any regular member, the Chairperson shall appoint one
of the alternate members to serve in the place of the regular member.
In the event, however, that a choice must be made as to which alternate
member is to vote, Alternate No. 1 shall vote.
B.
Terms of members. The terms of two members of the
Shade Tree Advisory Committee shall terminate at the end of the first
year of their appointment. The terms of the remaining three members
of the Committee shall terminate at the end of the second year of
their appointment. Thereafter, the appointment of each member shall
be for a term of three years.
C.
Terms of alternate members. The appointment of each
alternate member shall be for a term of three years.
D.
Function of the Committee.
(1)
It shall be the function of the Shade Tree Advisory
Committee to advise the Borough Council and the Director of Public
Works as to future plans relating to the planting, pruning, removal
and care of those trees and shrubs within the Borough that are located
upon public rights-of-way, public parks, school grounds and other
public places and to assist in the solution of problems relating to
the same.
(2)
The Director of Public Works, prior to the planting
of all trees, as required by the provisions of this chapter, shall
refer the matter to the Shade Tree Advisory Committee for its concurrence
as to tree selection and recommended spacing. In this regard, consideration
shall be given to the various species of trees held to be harmonious
with existing trees and the character of the area where the trees
are to be planted. The Shade Tree Advisory Committee shall use as
its principal guide for tree selection and spacing the publication
by the New Jersey Shade Tree Commissioners entitled "Trees for New
Jersey Streets," as the same shall be amended or supplemented from
time to time.
A.
Prohibited acts. No person shall do or cause to be
done any of the following acts upon public rights-of-way, public parks,
school grounds or other public places within the Borough without making
application to and receiving written permission from the Director
of Public Works:
(1)
Cut, trim, prune, break or climb with a spike, destroy
the roots or in any way injure or spray with any chemical or injure
or misuse any structure or device placed to support such tree or trees.
(2)
Plant any tree.
(3)
Fasten any rope, wire, electric attachment, sign or
other device to a tree or to any guard about such tree.
(4)
Close or obstruct any open space provided about the
base of any tree to permit access of air, water or fertilizer to the
roots of such tree.
(5)
Pile any building material or make any mortar or cement
within six feet of any tree.
[Amended 2-19-2003 by Ord. No. 1427]
Any person having control over any wire for
transmission of electric current or wire used for telephone communication
along a public highway shall at all times guard all trees through
which or near which such wires pass against any injury from wires
or from electric current carried by it. The device, means or any pruning
required shall be subject to the approval and direction of the Director
of Public Works, with the advice of the Shade Tree Committee.
No person shall permit any brine, gas or injurious
chemical to come in contact with the stem or roots of any tree or
shrub upon public property.
A.
Specifications for trees on public rights-of-way.
Where it is deemed advisable by the Shade Tree Advisory Committee,
there shall be planted upon public rights-of-way shade trees having
a caliper of not less than 1 1/2 inches and spaced as specified
under the guidelines established under the publication "Trees for
New Jersey Streets," published by the New Jersey Shade Tree Commissioners.
The trees shall be planted on the right-of-way or street line so as
not to interfere with the utilities or sidewalks.
B.
Improperly spaced trees. Where trees have been improperly
spaced in the original planting, no tree need be replanted to replace
such tree at the option of the Director of Public Works, with the
advice and consent of the Shade Tree Advisory Committee. The Director
of Public Works, with the advice and consent of the Shade Tree Advisory
Committee, shall have the further option to waive tree planting recommendations
set forth in "Trees for New Jersey Streets" in instances where existing
plantings are deemed sufficient to provide adequate shade cover on
the public highway or rights-of-way involved.
C.
Fees. All such trees shall be planted by the Division of Public Works. Prior to the issuance of any building permit by the Building Inspector of the Borough for the construction of all new buildings or developments, every such applicant shall be required to deposit the sum as provided in Chapter 101, Fees, for each tree required to be planted in accordance with the provisions hereof. Nothing in this section, however, shall be construed to require the planting of trees where it is determined by the Director of Public Works, with the advice and consent of the Shade Tree Advisory Committee, that trees complying with the minimum requirements as hereinbefore set forth already exist upon the site.
[Amended 9-28-1997 by Ord. No. 1291]
A.
Notice to owner. The owner of any tree growing on
private property which shall be deemed to constitute a danger to public
health or to public property by the Director of Public Works, with
the advice and consent of the Shade Tree Advisory Committee, shall,
upon 10 days' written notice directed to such owner at the owner's
last known mailing address, cause such tree to be removed or properly
pruned or cut back as directed by the Director of Public Works.
B.
Failure to comply. If the owner of such tree shall
fail to comply with the notice of the Director of Public Works to
effect the removal or pruning of the tree, the Division of Public
Works shall be authorized to effect the removal or pruning of such
tree. The cost for such removal or pruning shall be charged against
the property involved and shall be collected by the Borough in the
same manner as taxes assessed against the property. This provision
shall be in addition to all other penalties herein set forth for the
violation of the provisions of this chapter.
[Amended 9-28-1997 by Ord. No. 1291]
Any person violating any provision of this chapter
shall, upon conviction, be punishable by any combination of the following:
a fine not exceeding $1,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding
90 days or a period of community service not exceeding 90 days.
[Added 7-29-2015 by Ord.
No. 1721]
A.
Purpose.
(1)
The Borough of Glen Rock has concern that indiscriminate, uncontrolled
and excessive destruction, removal and clear-cutting of trees upon
lots and tracts of land results in increased drainage control costs,
increase soil erosion and sedimentation, decreased fertility of the
soil, degradation of water resources, decreased groundwater recharge,
and decreased property values, all of which negatively affect the
character of the Borough and the aesthetic beauty.
(2)
The Borough of Glen Rock realizes that excessive removal of trees
adversely affects the health, safety and general welfare of our residents
and desires to regulate and control indiscriminate and excessive cutting
of trees by preserving the maximum possible number of trees in the
course of development of a site in the Borough as a whole, ensuring
that the health of trees preserved on a site is maintained throughout
the development process, protecting larger, older specimens of trees
and encouraging innovative design and grading to promote the preservation
of existing trees.
B.
Landscape plan.
(1)
A landscape plan must be included in a construction site plan or
when applying for a demolition permit. In the one-year prior, during
or for a year following construction/demolition, trees with more than
a four-inch diameter outside of a ten-foot boundary of the construction
footprint cannot be taken down unless replaced by a tree of at least
two-inch caliper. As an alternative, a donation can be made to the
Glen Rock Tree Trust for planting of replacement trees on public land
in the amount set by the Shade Tree Advisory Committee.
(2)
Prior to work on construction or demolition, contractors or homeowners must submit a statement that they have read and have knowledge of the Glen Rock Municipal Code entitled "Trees and Shrubs on Public/Private Property," Chapter 208, Ordinance Number 819.
(3)
Submit demolition checklist. (See Glen Rock Building Department checklist
on demolition or removal of structures/abandoned well.)
