[Ord. #256, § 1]
No person shall cut down or remove any living
tree with a diameter in excess of four inches measured on such a tree
at a height of 4 1/2 feet above the level of the ground upon
any lands within the township unless the person shall have first obtained
a permit therefor in accordance with the rules and regulations hereinafter
set forth. Excepted from the prohibitions of this subsection shall
be trees located on a tract of land having a total area of less than
three acres with a building located thereon, any trees cut or removed
in accordance with an approved management plan of a proper state or
federal authority, any trees located on publicly owned lands, any
trees required to be cut in connection with the installation of public
utilities or any trees located in commercial orchards or nurseries.
[Ord. #256, § 4; Ord. #1518, 12-11-2001, amended]
Any person desiring to cut down or remove any living tree in excess of the size set forth in subsection
16-3.1 shall first apply to the Township Engineer for a permit authorizing the same. A separate application shall be filed for each lot or parcel. On a form to be supplied by the Construction Official, the applicant shall identify the land upon which the tree or trees are located, the name and address of the owner, tenant and duly authorized agent of the owner or tenant, if any, and shall set forth with sufficient specificity for purposes of identification the location of the tree or trees sought to be cut down or removed and the reasons for the request.
[Ord. #256, § 8; Ord. #1518, 12-11-2001, amended]
Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Tree
Protection Committee may appeal therefrom by letter to the Township
Committee. The Township Committee shall hear the appeal within 20
days of receipt of such letter. Appellant shall give at least 10 days
notice of the hearing to the owners of all lands within 200 feet of
the affected lot or parcel and the Township Engineer. Any interested
parties may appear in person or by attorney and following receipt
of relevant testimony, the Township Committee shall, within 10 days
of such hearing, either affirm, reverse or modify the decision appealed
from upon such terms and conditions as to it shall seem just.
[Ord. #256, § 9]
Whenever a building permit is requested for
a structure which will require the removal of trees as herein protected,
the Construction Official shall decline to issue any such building
permit until a tree removal permit is applied for and issued.