[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough
of Madison 2-24-2020 by Ord. No. 3-2020. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Borough Council finds that indiscriminate, uncontrolled
and excessive destruction and removal of trees upon lots and tracts
of land within the Borough of Madison will cause increased drainage
control costs, increased soil erosion and sedimentation, decreased
fertility of the soil, degradation of water resources, decreased groundwater
recharge, increased buildup of atmospheric carbon dioxide, the establishment
of a heat island effect and increased dust and pollution. The singular
or cumulative effect of any of the foregoing could adversely impact
the character of the Borough, decrease property values, render the
land unfit and unsuitable for its most appropriate use, and negatively
affect the health, safety and general welfare of the Borough's
residents.
The Governing Body desires to regulate and control indiscriminate
and excessive removal of trees within the Borough and to require appropriate
tree replacement.
The following words and expressions used in this chapter shall
have the following meanings:
- BOROUGH TREE
- A tree located on land owned by the Borough or which is located on a street, highway, public place, right-of-way, Borough easement, park or parkway or within the sidewalk lines.
- DRIPLINE
- A line connecting the tips of the outermost branches of a tree projected vertically onto the ground.
- LANDMARK TREE
- Any tree designated and identified as such by the Shade Tree Management Board (STMB) of the Borough of Madison pursuant to the standards set forth in the General Code of the Borough of Madison § 45-1.
- LIMIT OF DISTURBANCE LINE
- The line on a property beyond which the natural grade and existing vegetation will not be disturbed by a construction project. It shall be indicated on a plan by a dashed line and shall include not only the area around each structure's foundation but also clearing and grading required for driveway, power, water, sewer, communications, and other installations.
- MUNICIPAL ARBORIST
- The Administrative Officer of the Tree Protection Ordinance, duly appointed by the Governing Body who shall have the following qualifications:
- A. Bachelor's degree in forestry, arboriculture or horticulture from an accredited college or university; or
- B. Certification as a "certified/licensed tree expert" (CTE/LTE) by the State of New Jersey; or
- C. International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborist; and
- D. A minimum of five years' experience in the planting, care and maintenance of trees.
- NON-BOROUGH TREE
- Any tree other than a Borough tree as heretofore defined.
- REPLACEMENT TREE
- A nursery-grown certified tree marked with a durable label indicating genus, species and variety, and satisfying the standards for nursery stock and installation thereof set forth by the American Nursery and Landscape Association and guaranteed for two years. The Municipal Arborist shall publish on the municipal website a suitable species list for replacement trees. Any tree used in a required planting must be at least 2 1/2 inches caliper in diameter and must be nursery stock, balled and burlapped and guaranteed for two years from the date of installation.
- SHADE TREE MANAGEMENT BOARD
- The advisory committee established by Chapter 45 of Borough of Madison Code.
- SIGNIFICANT TREE
- Any tree, measured 4.5 feet above the grade with a diameter of 16 inches (circumference of 50 inches) or greater, or any tree designated by the Shade Tree Management Board as a landmark tree.
- TREE
- Any deciduous or evergreen species, measured 4.5 feet above the grade with a diameter of six inches (circumference of 19 inches) or greater, up to a diameter of 16 inches (circumference of 50 inches).
- TREE FUND
- A fund established by the Governing Body only to be expended for the planting of trees in any public street, public park or public right-of-way at locations on the tree planting schedule defined herein.
A Municipal Arborist shall be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council with the advice of the Shade Tree Management Board on an annual basis commencing January 1 and ending December 31. The Municipal Arborist shall possess the qualifications defined in § 178-3 and shall be paid for any services authorized on behalf of the Borough in accordance with an annual fee schedule established with the Borough. The Municipal Arborist shall be prohibited from taking any action on or representing any Madison private clients while under contract with the Borough. After the selection of the Municipal Arborist, the Borough shall enter into a contract with the Arborist, which shall set forth the fees charged by the Arborist for providing services to the Borough. The Borough's contract with the Arborist shall be published with the publication of the tree inventory and tree planting schedule as provided herein.
The Municipal Arborist shall be charged with performing site
inspections, administration and enforcement of the tree removal and
protection requirements of this chapter, reviewing and providing written
reports on development applications, attendance at the Shade Tree
Management Board meetings, and the preparation, maintenance and updating
of the tree inventory.
Subject to the exemptions set forth herein, no person shall
remove or damage, or cause to be removed or damaged any tree located
upon Borough-owned land, easements or right-of-way without the express
approval of the Municipal Arborist, unless such action is specifically
exempted by the provisions of this chapter.
A.
Permit required. A tree removal permit is required for any of the
following:
B.
Exemptions.
(1)
A permit is not required for removal of any Borough tree directed
to be removed by the Borough of Madison, County of Morris or State
of New Jersey.
(2)
Any property owner shall be permitted to remove two nonsignificant
trees on their property within any twenty-four-month period without
applying for a tree removal permit.
C.
Permit application. Applications for a permit shall be made to the
Municipal Arborist on forms provided for this purpose in the Land
Use Department and shall contain the following information:
(1)
The name and address of the owner of the property from which the
trees are to be removed.
(2)
The name and address and phone number of the applicant. Where the
applicant is not the property owner, written consent of the property
owner is required.
(3)
A development plan of the property or diagram that shall contain
the following information:
(a)
A description of the premises where removal is to take place,
including lot and block numbers and street addresses as assigned.
(b)
An indication of all trees to be removed, specifically by an
assigned number, the species and diameter of each tree with a diameter
of six inches or more.
(c)
An indication of all trees to remain and proposed replacement
trees, if any, including their size and species specifically by an
assigned number.
(d)
Any other information which may reasonably be required to enable
the application to be properly evaluated including, but not limited
to, a description of the purpose for which this application is to
be made; e.g., scenic improvements, hardship, danger to adjacent properties,
removal of diseased or damaged trees, transplanting or removal in
a growing condition to other locations, installation of utilities,
drainage of surface water, or other pertinent information.
(4)
Any removed tree that requires a permit must be replaced on a one
to one basis. If, in the discretion of the Municipal Arborist, due
to available space, species of trees and/or required space between
plantings, a lesser number would be appropriate, the Municipal Arborist
may grant a downward adjustment.
D.
In lieu of providing a replacement tree, the owner of real property must contribute $350 per removed tree to the Tree Fund, with such funds to be used for tree plantings in public spaces. Each December, the Borough shall publish an inventory of trees located on public streets, public parks and public rights-of-way ("tree inventory"). The Municipal Arborist shall be required to maintain and update the tree inventory. In conjunction with the publication of the tree inventory, the Borough shall publish a schedule of trees on the tree inventory to be replaced or new tree plantings to be made on public streets, public parks or public rights-of-way in the ensuing 12 months ("tree planting schedule"). Trees purchased with monies in the Tree Fund shall be planted at locations on the tree planting schedule nearest to the site(s) that generated the remittance of monies pursuant to § 178-12.
E.
The Municipal Arborist shall deny the permit if the application does
not comply with this chapter.
F.
Additional requirements for construction projects.
(1)
Where the removal of a tree, and/or more than 50% of the standing non-Borough trees on a lot (as defined in § 178-3 hereof), is proposed for the construction of any building, recreation area or any structure for which a building permit is required, no building permit shall be issued until the applicant has obtained a tree permit required under this chapter.
(2)
The plan of the property submitted with the permit application shall
indicate the construction disturbance line.
(3)
The plan shall indicate any or all trenches for underground public
utilities.
(4)
Tree protection during construction. All trees to be preserved are
to be protected during construction using the following criteria:
(a)
The limit of protection shall be the dripline unless otherwise
approved by the Borough Engineer or his or her designee with the advice
of the Municipal Arborist.
(b)
Tree protection barriers shall be installed by the applicant
and approved by the Municipal Arborist and shall remain and be maintained
until all construction and grading are completed and final inspection
has taken place.
(c)
The protective barriers shall be independently supported fencing
firmly secured and not supported by any trees and shall be a minimum
of three feet high.
(d)
Unless the project site is constrained in such a manner that
the tree protection area would encompass all usable area typically
required for construction activities to proceed, in the tree protection
areas, it shall be prohibited to:
[1]
Store any building material.
[2]
Store any fill of soil.
[3]
Store or park any equipment, including temporary toilet facilities.
[4]
Use as a work area.
[5]
Attach any signs, wires, or other attachments to any tree.
[6]
Exception: Tree removal equipment is permitted, but only during
operations for tree removal.
G.
Applications for development.
(1)
All land development applications to the Planning Board or Zoning
Board of Adjustment for development under the Borough of Madison Land
Development Ordinance shall contain a demolition permit plan which
shall be prepared by an appropriately licensed professional (professional
engineer, land surveyor, landscape architect, professional planner,
architect, forester, certified arborist, certified tree expert, etcetera)
showing all surface features, subsurface structures and trees proposed
to be removed as part of the development.
(2)
The demolition plan shall be a completeness item on the checklists
for single- and two-family residential applications, minor and major
subdivisions and site plan applications.
(3)
The Municipal Arborist shall review the development plans and provide a written report to the appropriate Land Use Board and the applicant at least 10 business days prior to the scheduled meeting date. The Municipal Arborist shall be paid from the technical review escrow for each application pursuant to § 195-12B of the Borough of Madison Land Development Ordinance.
H.
Other permit considerations.
(1)
All reasonable efforts shall be made to preserve landmark trees and
significant trees, including, but not limited to, relocation of planned
and/or proposed infrastructure, driveways, and buildings. Removal
of landmark trees shall require written notice to the Shade Tree Management
Board.
(2)
If the Municipal Arborist or certified arborist submits in writing
that a tree is dead, dying, hazardous, storm damaged and/or infested
with insects, a replacement tree is not required.
I.
Standards. Upon receipt of a tree removal permit application the
Municipal Arborist shall inspect the site on which are located the
tree or trees sought to be removed. The Municipal Arborist shall issue
such permit based on any of the following factors:
(1)
Where the area where such tree or trees are located will be occupied
by a building, deck, patio, pool or structure, a driveway, a roadway,
a stormwater management facility, or a sewer line or other underground
utility, or where the area where such tree or trees are located is
within 12 feet of a building or structure or within seven feet of
any of the other improvements set forth in this subsection.
(2)
Where a certified arborist recommends in writing that the proposed
removal would constitute a horticulturally advantageous thinning of
an existing overgrown area.
(3)
Where proposed changes in the topography of the area where such tree
or trees are located would require significant remediation, such as
welling or construction of an aerification system, to allow the tree
or trees to survive.
(4)
Where the presence of the tree or trees is likely to cause hardship
or will endanger the public or an adjoining property owner.
(5)
Where the tree or trees are damaging a structure.
(6)
Where the root system has become invasive to the extent that no other
solution remains.
(7)
Where the location of the tree interferes with the use of an existing
outdoor pool.
J.
Conflicts with other laws. Notwithstanding anything in this chapter
to the contrary, no tree removal shall be permitted where prohibited
by any other municipal, state or federal statute, ordinance or regulation.
K.
Fees.
(1)
The application fee shall be $25 for each tree to be removed. Said
fee may be changed by ordinance at the discretion of the Governing
Body.
(2)
The permit application fee shall be waived if the tree or trees to
be removed are determined by the Municipal Arborist to be dead, dying,
hazardous, storm damaged, infested and/or directed to be removed by
the State of New Jersey.
L.
Scheduling requirements.
(1)
The Municipal Arborist shall issue an approval or a denial of a tree
removal application within 10 business days of a complete permit application
being filed.
(2)
The applicant must notify the Municipal Arborist when the following
events have taken place:
(a)
Tree or trees to be removed shall be indicated on site with
flagging tape.
(b)
All tree removals are completed.
(c)
For construction projects:
[1]
If existing trees are within the construction zone, after required
tree protection measures have been installed.
[2]
For projects that require demolition, after demolition, but
prior to start of construction.
[3]
If excavation of building structures is required after excavation,
prior to construction.
[4]
If trenching is required, after mark-out of all trenches.
[5]
Final grade is established.
M.
Permit time limit. All tree removal permits shall be limited to one
year from date of issuance. If the approved tree removal has not occurred
within one year, a new permit must be applied for and is subject to
the payment of new fees. If, however, the applicant diligently pursues
other governmental approval, or if approved development is ongoing,
the permit may be renewed for up to one year.
Any public utility or public transportation corporation that
maintains overhead wires, underground pipes or conduits shall review
plans for pruning and/or tree removal at least two weeks prior to
the commencement of work with the Municipal Arborist and a representative
of the Shade Tree Management Board and obtain written permission from
the Municipal Arborist to proceed. Utilities and public transportation
corporations may undertake emergency tree work to restore electrical,
telephone, cable TV or other wire services without prior advance notice.
In such event, the utility shall notify the Municipal Arborist of
said work within three business days of commencement. The utilities
owned and operated by the Borough of Madison shall be exempt from
the noticing requirements.
The Municipal Arborist shall have the sole jurisdiction and
responsibility to identify any violations hereunder. The Municipal
Arborist shall oversee all applicable tree removal or destruction
and soil removal incidental thereto. Upon ascertaining a violation
of this chapter, the Municipal Arborist shall maintain all relevant
documentation associated with any violation. The Municipal Arborist
shall contact the owner of the property within three business days
to correct the violation. If such violation(s) are not resolved within
10 days, the Municipal Arborist shall issue a summons to be heard
in the Municipal Court as provided in this chapter. In addition to
other remedies, the Borough Engineer or his/her designee or other
proper municipal official may institute a stop work order to prevent
a continuing violation of the terms of this chapter.
Any person violating or causing to be violated any of the provisions
of this chapter shall be subject to a fine of not less than $100 and
not more than $2,000 for each offense, together with court costs.
If an applicant or permit holder disagrees with the decision
of the Municipal Arborist, as the administrative officer of this chapter,
they may request a meeting with the Municipal Arborist and the Shade
Tree Management Board for review of the matter and/or may appeal to
the Zoning Board of Adjustment regarding the decision of the administrative
officer, as provided for in the Municipal Land Use Law.
A.
A Tree Fund shall be established by the Governing Body to receive
and disburse replacement tree contributions. Appropriations from the
Tree Fund shall be authorized by the Governing Body. The purpose of
the fund is to provide for the planting of replacement trees on public
land. The Tree Fund will also cover administrative costs to implement
plans, specifications, and bid documents for planting contracts on
public lands only, in accordance with the Local Public Contracts Law.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 40A:11-1 et seq.
B.
All tree replacements under the ordinance codified in this chapter
shall be made on the actual site from which the trees were removed
and shall replace each tree destroyed or removed. However, if the
site in question cannot physically accommodate the total replacement
amount of trees, a fee of $350 per replacement tree may be paid to
the Tree Fund in lieu of such replacement.
