The subdivider shall observe the following requirements and principles of land subdivision in the design of each subdivision or portion thereof, as well as the requirements of the Gloucester County Subdivision Review Manual and the Gloucester County Site Plan Review Manual.
A.
The subdivision shall conform to design standards that will encourage good development patterns within the Township. If either or both an Official Map or Master Plan has or have been adopted, the subdivision shall conform to the proposals and conditions shown thereon The streets, drainage rights-of-way, school sites, public parks and playgrounds shown on an officially adopted Master Plan or Official Map shall be considered in approval of subdivision plats.
B.
The subdivision plat shall be planned, designed, constructed and maintained to preserve the natural environment and scenic beauty of Woolwich Township. In reviewing a major subdivision consisting of more than five lots counting any retained parcels, the reviewing authority shall take into consideration the effect of the development upon all aspects of the environment as outlined in the environmental impact statement requirements, as well as the sufficiency of the applicant's proposal in his environmental impact statement for dealing with any immediate or projected adverse environmental effects. The reviewing authority may require, as a condition of approval of the application, that steps be taken to minimize the adverse environmental impact during and after construction, and no final approval shall be issued until all such requirements shall have been complied with or compliance is guaranteed by a performance guaranty meeting the requirements of § 163-10 of this chapter.
[Amended 8-21-1989 by Ord. No. 89-17]
C.
Existing features which would add value to residential development or to the Township as a whole, such as trees and other vegetation, watercourses and falls, beaches, historic spots and similar irreplaceable assets, shall be preserved in the design of the subdivision.
D.
No trees shall be removed from any subdivision nor any change of grade of the land effected until approval of the preliminary plat has been granted.
E.
The preliminary plat shall show the number and location of existing trees as required by these regulations and shall further indicate all those marked for retention and the location of all proposed shade trees required along the street side of each lot as required by these regulations.
F.
The protection of specimen trees of four-inch caliper or over shall be a factor in determining the location of open space, buildings, underground services, walks, paved areas, playgrounds, parking areas and finished grade levels.
G.
All trees on the plat required to be retained shall be preserved, and all trees where required shall be welled and protected against change of grade.
H.
Every effort should be made to avoid removal of trees having a caliper of five inches or greater from the property in the process of subdividing, grading or installing improvements. Where, in the judgment of the Planning Board, such removal is unavoidable, a plan and a statement of material to be removed, replaced and/or demolished shall be submitted for approval.
I.
The subdivision plat shall be planned, designed, constructed and maintained to provide optimum open space and to create a man-made environment for human use or occupancy compatible and harmonious with the natural environment.
J.
The subdivision plat shall be planned, designed, constructed and maintained to require the minimum feasible amounts of land coverage, and the minimum feasible disturbance of soil and site by grading, excavation and other land alterations.
K.
The subdivision plat shall be planned, designed, constructed and maintained to avoid substantial probabilities of:
