[Adopted 6-26-2001 by Ord. No. 2001-5]
There shall be specifically exempted from the
requirements of this article the following areas:
A. Wetlands. Areas that under normal circumstances have
hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils and wetland hydrology.
B. Wetland hydrology. Permanent or periodic inundation
or prolonged soil saturation sufficient to create an aerobic condition
in the soil.
C. Normal farming operations. The customary and generally
accepted activities, practices and procedures that farmers adopt,
use or engage in year-after-year in the production and preparation
for market of crops, livestock and livestock products and in the production
and harvesting of agricultural, agronomic, horticultural, silvercultural
and aquacultural crops and commodities.
D. Riparian buffer. An area of vegetation that is maintained
along the shore of a water body to protect stream channels and banks.
Buffers can reduce the pollutants entering a stream, lake or pond
by trapping, filtering and converting sediments, nutrients and other
chemicals in runoff from surrounding lands.
E. Forested riparian buffer or streamside forests. Riparian
buffers with a functional forest ecosystem. Forested buffers are the
most beneficial type of buffer because they provide water quality
and ecological benefits, including food, cover and protection from
temperature changes for fish and wildlife.
F. Land in agricultural production. Lands used for the
production for commercial purposes of crops, livestock and livestock
products.
G. Crops, livestock and livestock products. Include but
are not limited to:
(1) Field crops, including corn, wheat, oats, rye, barley,
hay, potatoes and dry beans.
(2) Fruits, including apples, peaches, grapes, cherries
and berries.
(3) Vegetables, including tomatoes, snap beans, cabbage,
carrots, beets, onions and mushrooms.
(4) Horticultural specialties, including nursery stock,
ornamental shrubs, ornamental trees and flowers.
(5) Livestock and livestock products, including cattle,
sheep, hogs, goats, horses, poultry, fur-bearing animals, milk, eggs
and furs.
(6) Timber, wood, and other wood products derived from
trees.
(7) Aquatic plants and animals and their by-products.
H. Parks and open space. Any and all public parks, recreational
areas and facilities and open space lands, whether under the jurisdiction
of federal, state or local agencies including private conservation/preservation
organizations.
I. Wooded areas. All areas that are predominantly wooded.
J. Governmental programs. Any federal, state or local
programs which require the unimpaired growth of plants during a majority
of all of the growing season.
K. Educational programs. Any areas designated for educational
studies.
L. Home vegetable gardens. Vegetable gardens cultivated
on residential properties.
M. Forests. A tract of wooded land characterized by dense
tree growth and underbrush.
N. Ornamental/flower gardens.
O. Residual of subdivided tract. The residual or parent
tract from which a subdivision or land development was created.
The owner of any premises described in §
63-1 to which the exceptions itemized in §
63-2 do not apply shall remove, trim or cut all grass, weeds or other vegetative material growing in excess of 12 inches.
The Board of Supervisors of Greene Township is hereby authorized to give notice, by personal service or mail, to the owner of any premises whereon grass, weeds or other vegetation as referenced above is growing or remaining in violation of §
63-1 above directing and requiring such owner to remove, trim or cut such grass, weeds or other vegetation so as to conform to the requirements of this article within five days after the issuance of said notice. In case any person, firm or corporation shall neglect, fail or refuse to comply with such notice within the period of time stated herein, the Greene Township Board of Supervisors shall have the authority to remove, trim or cut such grass, weeds or vegetation and the costs thereof, together with 15% added as administration expenses may be collected from such person, firm or corporation in the manner provided by law.
[Amended 7-9-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-5]
In addition to the provisions of §
63-4 next above, if the owner, after receiving due notice as provided in §
63-4 of this article, refuses or fails to comply with the terms thereof, he shall be guilty of a violation of this article and shall, upon being found liable therefore in a summary proceeding before a district justice pay a fine of up to $1,000 plus the costs of prosecution for each violation. Each day a violation continues after the owner has been found guilty by a district justice shall constitute a separate offense for which additional fines and costs may be levied.