[Amended 12-11-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-31]
Single-family dwellings constructed on lots 20,000 square feet or greater must satisfy the requirements of this chapter and § 194-16 prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. (See Sketch No. 1, included at the end of this chapter.)[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Sketch No. 1 is on file in the Township offices.
The intent of this provision is to encourage the maintenance of existing deciduous and coniferous trees.
A. 
No structure, equipment or movable machinery shall be permitted to be stored, parked or operated within the dripline of any tree which is to be saved in order not to disturb the soil and thereby injure the tree, except when the dripline of the tree is within the fifteen-foot area set forth in § 194-15A.
B. 
If the removal of or destruction of trees will impede or hamper the growth and vigor of the remaining trees, removal will not be permissible unless a stump grinder is utilized.
C. 
No soil material, equipment, temporary buildings and work areas, fuels, paints and other construction items shall be placed within the dripline of the trees.
D. 
Trees not subject to removal under the permit granted shall be fenced or heavily marked with ribbon so as to prevent injury or removal. The fence installation or ribbon markings must be approved by the Township Engineer prior to clearing.
E. 
All planting, maintenance and care of trees shall follow the guidelines as set forth by the International Society of Arboriculture.
A. 
Any area to be occupied by a building, driveway, drainage field, septic tank or recreation area (tennis courts, swimming pools or similar facilities) may have the trees removed but for a distance of not more than 15 feet around the perimeter of such facilities, provided that the same does not violate any buffer requirements within the zone.
B. 
The Township Zoning Officer and/or Township Engineer and/or Township Landscape Architect shall view the land where the tree or trees are to be removed, as well as drainage, grade and other physical conditions existing on the subject or adjoining property, and will consider the report from the Environmental Commission in determining whether to issue the permit.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 10, Art. V, Environmental Commission.
C. 
The permit shall be granted if there is a finding by the Township Zoning Officer and/or Township Engineer and/or Township Landscape Architect that the removal and destruction will not impair the growth and development of remaining trees on the property of the applicant or adjacent properties and would not cause erosion of soil.
D. 
Buffer areas are essential to the Township as necessary to maintain aesthetic values and preserve privacy and drainage control. Permits which affect buffer areas shall only be granted upon submission of compelling reasons by the applicant.
[Amended 12-11-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-31]
Reforestation shall comply with the requirements of § 130-51H(3).
A. 
No fee shall be charged for a permit authorizing the removal of diseased or damaged trees or in applications where application is made for a building permit.
B. 
In cases where the services of a tree expert are required, the cost thereof shall be borne by the applicant.
A. 
On-site replacement trees. All required replacement trees shall be planted on the site from which trees were removed if possible. A waiver from any portion or all of the required on-site replacement may be granted by the approving board and shall be based upon documented practical physical difficulties and undue hardship related to conditions of the site from which trees are to be removed.
B. 
Off-site replacement trees. Where the placement of additional trees on site would be detrimental to the health and growth of the trees, the applicant may be permitted to plant replacement trees at an off-site location to be approved by the Township. Such off-site locations shall be restricted to Township-owned public property, including, but not limited to, public parks and public buildings.
C. 
Township Tree Fund. In the alternative, should the quantity of the trees to be removed be greater than the tree replacement/landscaping plan, due to limited available planting area, the applicant may make a contribution to be deposited in the Township Tree Fund as established by this chapter. Said funds shall be used to mitigate and replant trees within the same drainage basin as the applicant's site. Selection of the site within the same drainage basin, specimen and size of trees shall be determined by the Township Landscape Architect. The contribution, in lieu of planting of trees, shall be $150 per tree. Contribution from the applicant shall not exceed the total sum of $5,000 per developed acre.