[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Leonia
10-4-1982 by Ord. No. 949 as §§ 139-1 to 139-6 of the 1982
Code (Ord. No. 733). Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Mayor and Council of the Borough of Leonia finds that the provision
of land for use as a natural area promotes the public health, prosperity and
general welfare and constitutes an important social, ecological, economic
and aesthetic asset to the present and future residents of the Borough of
Leonia, that the lands available for such purpose are continually diminishing
in supply and are threatened by urban development and the expansion of population.
The following described property, owned by the Borough of Leonia, is hereby designated as a natural area and regulated for that purpose as provided in § 178-4 below: being known as all that certain lot, tract or parcel known as "Block 85, Lots 1 through 7 inclusive" and further described as: All that lot, tract or parcel of land in the Borough of Leonia bounded on the northwest by lands now or formerly of Markarian, on the northeast by the southwest side line of Highwood Avenue, on the southwest by the northerly lines of Lots 25 through 31, both inclusive in Block 85 on the Assessment Map of the Borough of Leonia and on the southeast by the boundary line between the Boroughs of Leonia and Fort Lee, being further known and designated as "Lots 1 through 7," both inclusive in Block 85 on the Assessment Map of the Borough of Leonia. Said tract having an approximate frontage on Highwood Avenue of 140 feet and a depth of approximately 100 feet.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
The Conservation Commission constituted by ordinance in the Borough
of Leonia, pursuant to P.L. 1968, c. 245 (N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 to 40:56A-5),
for the purpose of protecting and developing natural resources within the
municipality and whose powers and duties include obtaining and disseminating
information on the means of preserving and restoring natural resources, including
natural areas, recommending to the Mayor and governing body plans and programs
for the preservation and restoration of natural areas and, subject to that
approval of the governing body, the supervision or implementation of such
program.
A comprehensive environment plan for the management, preservation
or restoration of a natural area.
An area of land or water which retains its primeval character or,
if previously disturbed, which is managed and preserved so as to restore its
primitive qualities.
Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, organization
or legal entity of any kind, including municipal corporations, governmental
agencies or subdivisions.
No use shall be made of the within described natural area, except as
may be set forth in a management plan for a natural area as may be developed
by the Environmental Commission and adopted by the Mayor and Council; provided,
however, that only such uses as are consistent with the preservation of a
natural area shall be allowed, including but not limited to the establishment
of a wildlife sanctuary or conservation area, the operation of programs of
ecological study or the study of natural sciences, the creation of a place
of refuge and passive recreation for the residents of Leonia. All other active
recreational uses are expressly prohibited, including but not limited to ball
playing, motorbiking and horseback riding.
The area designated under this chapter as a natural area shall not be
disposed of or diverted to a use other than that provided for a natural area
without the approval of the Environmental Commission and the governing body
of the Borough of Leonia following a public hearing by the governing body
at least one month prior to such approval.
Any person violating or causing to be violated any of the provisions of this chapter shall be punished as provided in Chapter 1, Article I, General Penalty, for each violation of this chapter. Each day of such violation shall constitute a separate offense. Any person violating the provisions of this chapter shall be liable to the Borough for any expense, loss or damage caused to the Borough by reason of such violation.
