As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ACCESSORY STRUCTURE OR USEA structure or use which:
(1) Is subordinate to and serves a principal building or a principal use, including but not limited to the production, harvesting and storage, as well as washing, grading and packaging, of unprocessed produce grown on the site;
(2) Is subordinate in area, extent and purpose to the principal structure or principal building or a principal use served;
(3) Contributes primarily to the comfort, convenience or necessity of the occupants, business or industry of the principal structure or principal use served;
(4) Is located on the same parcel as the principal structure or principal use served, except as otherwise expressly authorized by the provisions of this article.
AGRICULTURAL COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTA retail sales establishment primarily intended to sell agricultural products produced in the Pinelands. An agricultural commercial establishment may be seasonal or year-round and may or may not be associated directly with a farm; however, it does not include supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants and other establishments which coincidentally sell agricultural products, nor does it include agricultural processing facilities such as a farm itself, nor facilities which are solely processing facilities.
AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYEE HOUSINGResidential dwellings for the seasonal use of employees of an agricultural or horticultural use which, because of their character or location, are not to be used for permanent housekeeping units and which are otherwise accessory to a principal use of the lot for agriculture.
AGRICULTURAL OR HORTICULTURAL USESThe production of plants, animals, poultry, bees, forest products, fruits or flowers with all related pursuits, as well as land used in a federal soil conservation program.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS PROCESSING FACILITYA facility designed, constructed and operated for the express purpose of processing agricultural products grown in the Pinelands, including washing, grading and packaging of those products.
APPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENTAny application filed with any permitting agency for any approval, authorization or permit which is a prerequisite to initiating development in the Pinelands Area, except as provided in §
425-205B of this article.
APPROVAL AGENCYAny board, body or other authority within the City which has power to approve or disapprove subdivisions, site plans, construction permits or other development applications.
APPROVAL, FINALAny approval to develop issued by the approval agency which represents the final action to be taken on the application for development by that agency, including but not limited to final approval of major subdivisions and site plans, approval of minor subdivisions and the issuance of zoning or construction permits.
APPROVAL, PRELIMINARYAny approval to develop issued by the approval agency which is a prerequisite to the issuance of a final approval by that agency, including but not limited to preliminary approvals of major subdivisions and site plans.
BEDDINGA silvicultural practice involving the preparation of land before planting in the form of small mounds so as to concentrate topsoil and elevate the root zone of seedlings above temporary standing water.
BROADCAST SCARIFICATIONA silvicultural practice involving the dragging of cut trees or other objects across a parcel to remove or reduce aboveground shrub cover, debris, leaf litter and humus without disturbance to mineral soil horizons and associated roots.
BUILDINGAny structure, either temporary or permanent, having a roof and designed, intended or used for the sheltering or protection of persons, animals, chattel or property of any kind.
CAMPERA portable structure which is self-propelled or mounted on or towed by another vehicle, designed and used for temporary living for travel, recreation, vacation or other short-term uses. "Camper" does not include mobile homes or trailers.
CAMPSITEA place used for or suitable for camping on which temporary shelter, such as a tent or camper, may be placed and occupied on a temporary and seasonal basis.
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESSA notification from the Planning Board designating that a site approved for development has historic, archeological or cultural significance.
CERTIFICATE OF FILINGA certificate issued by the Pinelands Commission, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:50-4.34, that a complete application for major development has been filed.
CLEAR-CUTTINGA silvicultural practice involving the removal of an entire forest stand in one cutting for purposes of regeneration, either obtained artificially, by natural seed or from advanced regeneration. Clear-cutting typically results in the removal of all woody vegetation from a parcel in preparation for the establishment of new trees; however, some trees may be left on the parcel.
COMMISSIONThe Pinelands Commission created under Section 5 of the Pinelands Protection Act.
CONSTRUCTIONThe erection, reconstruction, alteration, conversion, demolition, removal or equipping of buildings.
CONTIGUOUS LANDLand which is connected or adjacent to other land so as to permit the land to be used as a functional unit, provided that separation by lot lines, streams, dedicated public roads which are not paved, rights-of-way and easements shall not affect the contiguity of land unless a substantial physical barrier is created which prevents the land from being used as a functional unit.
COPPICINGA silvicultural practice involving the production of forest stands from vegetative sprouting by the trees that are harvested (stump sprouts, root suckers, and naturally rooted layers). Coppicing typically involves short rotations with dense stands of short trees.
DENSITYThe average number of housing units per unit of land.
DEVELOPMENTAny change affecting the land, its area, its use or the intensity of its use; affecting resource extraction, rights of access, riparian rights or easements; affecting the size, appearance or use of structures; affecting forests, deposits of solid or liquid wastes or landfills; or any changes which affect noise levels, thermal conditions, emissions, floodplains, rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands or any man-made bodies of water and their banks.
DEVELOPMENT APPROVALAuthorized approval granted for land development in accordance with the CMP and this chapter, except certifications of occupancy and variances pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70 which do not otherwise include the issuance of a construction permit, subdivision or site plan approval.
DEVELOPMENT, MAJORAny division of land into five or more lots; any construction or expansion of any housing development of five or more dwelling units; any construction or expansion of any commercial or industrial use or structure on a site of more than three acres; or any grading, clearing or disturbance of an area in excess of 5,000 square feet.
DISKINGA silvicultural practice involving the drawing of one or more heavy, round, concave, sharpened, freely rotating steel disks across a site for the purposes of cutting through soil and roots or cutting and turning a furrow over an area.
DIVERT or DIVERSIONMeans the taking of water from a river, stream, lake, pond, aquifer, well, other underground source, or other water body, whether or not the water is returned thereto, consumed, made to flow into another stream or basin, or discharged elsewhere.
DRAINAGEThe removal of surface water or groundwater from land by drains, grading or other means, including control of runoff to minimize erosion and sedimentation during and after construction or development and means necessary for water supply preservation or prevention or alleviation of flooding.
DRUM CHOPPINGA silvicultural practice involving the drawing of a large cylindrical drum with cutting blades mounted parallel to its axis across a site to break up slash and crush scrubby vegetation prior to burning or planting or to chop up and disturb the organic turf and roots in the upper foot of soil.
DWELLINGAny structure or portion thereof which is designed or used for residential purposes.
DWELLING UNITAny room or group of rooms located within a structure forming a single habitable unit with facilities which are used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking, eating and sanitation by one family.
ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION LINESElectric lines which are part of an electric company's transmission and subtransmission system which provide a direct connection between a generating station or substation of the utility company and:
(1) Another substation of the utility company;
(2) A substation of or interconnection point with another interconnecting utility company; or
(3) A substation of a high-load customer of the utility.
EROSIONThe detachment and movement of soil/rock fragments by water, wind, ice or gravity.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORThe chief administrative officer of the Pinelands Commission or the authorized representative.
FAMILYOne or more persons related by blood, marriage, adoption or guardianship, or any number of persons not so related occupying a dwelling unit and living as a single housekeeping unit.
FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENTA program of actions designed to promote, protect and enhance the ecological integrity of fish and wildlife and their habitats.
FORESTRYThe planting, cultivating and harvesting of trees for the production of wood products, including firewood, or for forest health. It includes such practices as reforestation, site preparation and other silvicultural practices, including but not limited to artificial regeneration, bedding, broadcast scarification, clear-cutting, coppicing, disking, drum chopping, group selection, individual selection, natural regeneration, root raking, seed tree cut, shelterwood cut and thinning. For purposes of this chapter, the following activities shall not be defined as forestry and, although they may otherwise require an application for development, they shall not require the issuance of a forestry permit:
(1) Removal of trees located on a parcel of land one acre or less on which a dwelling has been constructed;
(2) Horticultural activities involving the planting, cultivating or harvesting of nursery stock or Christmas trees;
(3) Removal of trees necessitated by the development of the parcel as otherwise authorized by this chapter;
(4) Removal of trees necessary for the maintenance of utility or public rights-of-way;
(5) Removal or planting of trees for the personal use of the parcel owner; and
(6) Removal of trees for public safety.
FOREST STANDA uniform group of trees of similar species, composition, size, age and similar forest structure.
GROUP SELECTIONA silvicultural practice whereby a group of trees is periodically selected to be removed from a large area so that age and size classes of the reproduction are mixed.
HABITATThe natural environment of an individual animal, plant or population.
HEIGHTThe vertical distance measured from grade to the highest point of the roof for flat roofs, to the deckline for mansard roofs and to the mean height between eaves and ridge for gable, hip and gambrel roofs.
HISTORIC RESOURCEAny site, building, area, district, structure or object important in American history or prehistory, architecture, archaeology and culture at the national, state, county, local or regional level.
HOME OCCUPATIONAn activity for economic gain, carried out in a residential dwelling or accessory structure thereto, in which an occupant of the residence and not more than two other individuals are employed and which is clearly secondary to the use of the dwelling as a residence.
HYDROLOGIC UNIT CODE-11 or HUC-11Means an area within which water drains to a particular receiving surface water body, also known as a "subwatershed," which is identified by an eleven-digit hydrologic unit boundary designation, delineated within New Jersey by the United States Geological Survey.
HYDROPHYTESAny plant growing in water or a substrata that is deficient in oxygen as a result of excessive water content.
IMMEDIATE FAMILYThose persons related by blood or legal relationship in the following manner: spouses, domestic partners, great-grandparents, grandparents, great-grandchildren, grandchildren, parents, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, nephews, nieces and first cousins.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACEAny surface that has been compacted or covered with a layer of material so that it prevents, impedes or slows infiltration or absorption of fluid, including stormwater, directly into the ground, and results in either reduced groundwater recharge or increased stormwater runoff sufficient to be classified as impervious in urban areas by the United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Title 210 - Engineering, 210-3-1 - Small Watershed Hydrology (WINTR-55) Version 1.0. Such surfaces may have varying degrees of permeability.
INDIVIDUAL SELECTIONA silvicultural practice whereby single trees are periodically selected to be removed from a large area so that age and size classes of the reproduction are mixed.
INSTITUTIONAL USEAny land used for the following public or private purposes: educational facilities, including universities, colleges, elementary and secondary and vocational schools, kindergartens and nurseries; cultural facilities, such as libraries, galleries, museums, concert halls, theaters and the like: hospitals, including such educational, clinical, research and convalescent facilities as are integral to the operation of the hospital; medical and health service facilities, including nursing homes, supervised residential institutions, rehabilitation therapy centers and public health facilities; law enforcement facilities; military facilities; churches; public office buildings; cemeteries; and other similar facilities.
INTERESTED PERSONAny persons whose right to use, acquire or enjoy property is or may be affected by any action taken under this article, or whose right to use, acquire or enjoy property under this plan or under any other law of this state or of the United States has been denied, violated or infringed upon by an action or a failure to act under this plan.
INTERIM RULES AND REGULATIONSThe regulations adopted by the Pinelands Commission pursuant to the Pinelands Protection Act to govern the review of applications from the adoption of the regulations until the Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan took effect on January 14, 1981. These regulations were formerly codified as N.J.A.C. 7:1G-1 et seq.
LANDThe surface and subsurface of the earth, as well as improvements and fixtures on, above or below the surface and any water found thereon.
LANDSCAPINGThe installation of plants as part of land development.
LOCAL COMMUNICATIONS FACILITYAn antenna and any support structure, together with any accessory facilities, which comply with the standards in N.J.A.C. 7:50-5.4 and which are intended to serve a limited, localized audience through point-to-point communication, including cellular telephone cells, paging systems and dispatch communications. It does not include radio or television broadcasting facilities or microwave transmitters.
MOBILE HOMEA dwelling unit manufactured in one or more sections, designed for long-term occupancy, and which can be transported after fabrication to a site where it is to be occupied.
NATURAL REGENERATIONThe establishment of a plant or plant age class from natural seeding, sprouting, suckering or layering.
NONCONSUMPTIVE USEMeans the use of water diverted from surface or groundwaters in such a manner that at least 90% of the diverted water is returned to the source surface or groundwater at or near the point from which it was taken.
OFF-SITE COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING SIGNA sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service or entertainment conducted, sold or offered at a location other than the premises on which the sign is located, including signage placed upon New Jersey Transit weather shelters.
PARCELAny quantity of land, consisting of one or more lots, that is capable of being described with such definiteness that its location and boundaries may be established.
PERFORMANCE STANDARDSFor the Vineland Pinelands Area, those contained in this article or elsewhere in this chapter, whichever is stricter.
PERMEABILITYThe rate at which water moves through a unit area of soil, rock, or other material at hydraulic gradient of one.
PERSONAn individual, corporation, public agency, business trust, partnership, association, two or more persons having a joint or common interest or any other legal entity.
PINELANDSThe Pinelands National Reserve as designated by Section 3(i) of the Pinelands Protection Act and the Pinelands Area as designated by Section 10(a) of said Act. For the Pinelands Area located within the City of Vineland, refer to the Zone Map which is part of this chapter.
PINELANDS DEVELOPMENT CREDITA use right allocated to certain lands within the Vineland Pinelands that can be used to secure a residential density bonus on certain other lands within the Pinelands under N.J.A.C. 7:50-5.43.
PINELANDS DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARDThe agency responsible from February 8, 1979, until June 28, 1979, for the review of and action on applications for development in the Pinelands Area which required approvals of other state agencies, except where the Pinelands Commission acted on applications during that time period.
PINELANDS PROTECTION AREAAll land within the Pinelands which is not included in the preservation area. (The Vineland Pinelands are within the Pinelands Protection Area.)
PROVISIONAL USEA use permitted only upon compliance with the standards of the CMP as incorporated in this chapter.
PUBLIC DEVELOPMENTDevelopment, including subdivision, by any township or other governmental agency.
PUBLIC SERVICE INFRASTRUCTURESewer service, gas, electricity, water, telephone, cable television and other public utilities developed linearly, roads and streets and other similar services provided or maintained by any public or private entity.
RECORD TREEThe largest tree of a particular species in New Jersey based on its circumference at 4.5 feet above ground level. A listing of the largest known tree of each species and its location is maintained at the principal offices of the Commission.
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PLANA plan, prepared in accordance with the United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service New Jersey Field Office Technical Guide, dated June 2005. Such plan shall prescribe needed land treatment and related conservation and natural resources management measures, including forest management practices, for the conservation, protection and development of natural resources, the maintenance and enhancement of agricultural or horticultural productivity, and the control and prevention of nonpoint source pollution, and shall establish criteria for resource sustainability of soil, water, air, plants and animals.
RECREATION FACILITY, INTENSIVEAny recreation facility not classified as low-intensive, including but not limited to golf courses, marinas, amusement parks, hotels and motels.
RECREATION FACILITY, LOW-INTENSIVEA facility or area which complies with the standards of N.J.A.C. 7:50-5, Part III, utilizes and depends on the natural environment of the Pinelands and requires no significant modifications of that environment other than to provide access and which has an insignificant impact on surrounding uses or on the environmental integrity of the area. It permits such low-intensity uses as hiking, hunting, trapping, fishing, canoeing, nature study, orienteering, horseback riding and bicycling.
RESOURCE EXTRACTIONThe dredging, digging, extraction, mining and quarrying of sand, gravel, clay or ilmenite for commercial purposes, not including, however, the private or agricultural extraction and use of extracted material by a landowner.
ROOT RAKINGA silvicultural practice involving the drawing of a set of tines, mounted on the front or trailed behind a tractor, over an area to thoroughly disturb tree and vegetation roots and/or to collect stumps and slash.
SCENIC CORRIDORAll paved public roads, navigable streams, lakes or ponds of the P-R (Pinelands Rural Development) and the P-F (Pinelands Forest) Zones of the Pinelands.
SEASONAL HIGH-WATER TABLEThe level below the natural ground surface to which water seasonally rises in the soil in most years.
SEED TREE CUTA silvicultural practice involving the removal of old forest stand in one cutting, except for a small number of trees left singly, in small groups or narrow strips, as a source of seed for natural regeneration.
SHELTERWOOD CUTA silvicultural practice involving the establishment of a new, essentially even-aged forest stand from release, typically in a series of cuttings, of new trees started under the old forest stand. A shelterwood cut involves the establishment of the new forest stand before the old forest stand is removed.
SIGNAny object, device, display or structure, or part thereof, situated outdoors or indoors, which is used to advertise, identify, display, direct or attract attention to an object, person, institution, organization, business, product, service, event or location by any means, including words, letters, figures, designs, symbols, fixtures, colors, illumination or projected images. Signs do not include the flag or emblem of any nation, organization of nations, state or city, or any fraternal, religious or civic organization, merchandise, pictures or models of products or services incorporated in a window display, works of art which in no way identify a product, or scoreboards located on athletic fields.
SOLAR ENERGY FACILITYA solar energy system and all associated components, including, but not limited to, panels, arrays, footings, supports, mounting and stabilization devices, inverters, electrical distribution wires and other on-site or off-site infrastructure necessary for the facility, which converts solar energy into usable electrical energy, heats water or produces hot air or other similar function.
STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONAny change in either the supporting members of a building, such as bearing walls, columns, beams and girders, or in the dimensions or configuration of the roof or exterior walls.
STRUCTUREA combination of materials to form a construction for occupancy, use or ornamentation having a fixed location on, above or below the surface of land or attached to something having a fixed location on, above or below the surface of land.
SUBDIVISIONThe division of a parcel of land into two or more lots, tracts, parcels or other divisions of land. The following shall not be considered subdivisions within the meaning of this article if no development occurs or is proposed in connection therewith:
(1) Divisions of property by testamentary or intestate provisions.
(2) Divisions of property upon court order.
(3) Conveyances so as to combine existing lots by deed or other instrument.
THINNINGA silvicultural practice involving the removal of competing trees to favor certain species, sizes and qualities of trees.
UTILITY DISTRIBUTION LINELines, conduits or pipes located in a street, road, alley or easement through which natural gas, electricity, telephone, cable television, water or sewage or stormwater discharge is distributed to or from service lines extending from the main line to the distribution system of the building or premises served. Utility distribution lines do not include electric transmission lines.
WETLANDLand which is saturated by water for a duration and frequency sufficient to support the growth of hydrophytes, including such poorly drained areas as designated by the Soils Conservation Service and described in N.J.A.C. 7:50-6.3 to 7:50-6.5.
WETLANDS MANAGEMENTThe establishment of a characteristic wetland or the removal of exotic species or Phragmites from a wetland in accordance with the standards of N.J.A.C. 7:50-6.10. For purposes of this definition, exotic species are those that are not indigenous to North America.
WETLAND SOILSThose soils designated as "very poorly drained" or "poorly drained" by the Soil Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, including but not limited to Atsion, Bayboro, Berryland, Colemantown, Elkton, Keansburg, Leon, Muck, Othello, Pocomoke, St. Johns, Freshwater Marsh and Tidal Marsh soil types.