a.
A landscape management/maintenance specification shall be provided
in conjunction with all approved subdivisions as to street trees,
common open space, and areas to be dedicated to the public and all
approved site plans until such time as those improvements or areas
are accepted by the Governing Body. These documents shall provide
specifications for a one year maintenance guarantee period for landscaped
areas and a five year maintenance plan for reforestation areas in
order to assure a safe, attractive landscape environment and to promote
healthy growth of all plant materials. The maintenance specification
may take the form of a monthly schedule or a categorized guideline.
All maintenance items shall be on a site specific basis and shall
comply with the following standards:
1.
Maintenance Tasks: Applicants shall prepare a customized set of maintenance
specifications consistent with the following minimum standards, which
shall apply to every approved subdivision with respect to trees, common
open space, and areas proposed to be dedicated to the public and to
every approved site plan.
2.
Periodic Inspection: All lands, developed or undeveloped, shall receive
periodic inspection to evaluate the performance of landscape areas
and the need for maintenance. Such an inspection shall be conducted
by the applicant or its successor in interest at a minimum interval
of once every three months. Storm water detention and retention areas
shall be inspected after every storm or storm episode.
(a)
Debris and Weed Control. This task shall include the removal
of all undesirable litter, debris and weeds. Any objects or plants
which create a health or safety hazard or unnatural visual nuisance
shall be removed immediately.
(b)
Mulching. This task shall include the maintenance of all planting
beds or those ground areas covered with decorative stone or other
materials. All planting beds with existing or specified organic mulch
shall be maintained with a maximum of three inches depth of shredded
bark mulch or an equivalent. Turf or lawn adjacent to beds shall be
edged to prevent encroachment of turf and present a neat, distinctive
border and appearance. Areas with decorative stone or other materials
shall be maintained with a neat appearance and at such a level that
no weeds, bare ground, or soil are exposed.
(c)
Seasonal Plantings. During the growing season, all beds shall
receive periodic inspection, watering, and weeding to maintain a neat
appearance.
(d)
Mowing. The mowing standards shall apply to all land planted
as lawn, turf, or wildflower or native grass meadow. The objective
of all mowing shall be to create a neat, well-maintained appearance.
Blades on all equipment shall be sharp in order to prevent excessive
damage to the plant material. Grasses and weeds around trees and shrubs
shall be trimmed to the same height as mowed areas by the use of appropriate
hand tools in order to prevent undesirable damage to the trees and
shrubs. Clippings shall be removed from all paved surfaces. Alternating
mowing patterns shall be utilized to prevent soil compaction.
The following standards shall apply:
(1)
Turf. Turf areas that include grasses planted in active recreation
areas. The turf in these areas shall not exceed a height of six inches.
(2)
Lawn. Lawn areas shall include grasses planted in passive recreation
areas, storm water areas, buffers and streetscapes, and all other
lawn areas. The grass plantings in these areas shall not exceed a
height of 12 inches.
(3)
Wildflower and Native Grass Meadows. Wildflower and native grass
meadows which are designated to remain as such shall be mowed once
a year. This shall occur in the early Spring (March) while the plants
are still dormant.
(e)
Pruning. Pruning shall include the removal of dead or diseased
wood, wood infested with insects, weak or structural defects in the
wood, excessive suckers and shoots, and any irregular or damaged growth.
All plants shall be inspected periodically to determine if pruning
is necessary. Care shall be taken to prune flowering trees and shrubs
properly during the dormant season or as recommended by correct horticultural
practice. Evergreen shrubs shall only be pruned immediately after
flowering. Shrub material shall not be sheared as individual plants,
rather it shall be pruned in natural, massed forms to enhance the
plant's natural growth form. Root pruning of all trees adjacent
to curbs shall be undertaken as necessary to prevent heaving of the
sidewalk/curb by excessive roots. Care should be taken not to prune
a root system in excess of 1/3 the diameter of the tree per year.
If necessary, a Certified Tree Expert should be consulted concerning
the pruning of tree roots.
(f)
Fertilizer and Soil Amendments. The use of fertilizer is to
be minimized, and fertilizer shall not be applied to naturalized areas
and wildflower and native grass meadows. The need for such soil amendments
shall be analyzed in conjunction with a soil test. Timing, frequency,
and rate of application shall be adjusted according to weather and
horticultural and soil test conditions for each specific site. Fertilizer
shall be applied by accepted methods only. Safety shall always be
of prime consideration. Care should be taken not to apply fertilizer
when ground is wet or under extreme stress or during windy conditions.
(g)
Insect and Disease Control. The control of insects and disease
associated with all planting areas shall be a maintenance priority.
All plantings shall be periodically inspected for insect or disease
infestation. Methods utilized to control insects and disease may range
from spraying and pruning to plant removal. Whatever method is utilized,
safety and control shall always be of prime concern. Certified and
trained personnel shall always perform this task.
(h)
Renovation.
Renovation Includes reseeding or replanting landscape areas damaged,
destroyed, or failing due to insects, disease, weather, or physical
damage. Specific areas will require detailed specifications for renovation.
The following standards shall apply:
(1)
Lawn, Turf, or Meadow Areas. All areas where soil has been exposed
shall be renovated during the next planting season. Proper horticultural
and soil erosion prevention methods shall be utilized. If soil erosion
has occurred, the area shall be repaired. A seed mixture compatible
to existing conditions shall always be utilized.
(i)
If stakes and wires are used in the landscape installation,
they must be removed before the start of the second growing season.
