A planted area and a planted buffer area required by this chapter
shall not be used for any buildings, structures, paving or parking
or for the sale, display, storage or leasing of materials or for any
other use other than a planted area or a planted buffer area except:
A. Detention basins, subject to a finding by the Board that adequate
visual screening is still provided.
B. Below-grade, underground parking facilities may be erected underneath
any required planted area or planted buffer area; provided, that the
surface of the lot in the area of the planted buffer area and the
planted area has at least four feet of soil and is properly drained
so that the same is sufficient to support the growth of plants, ground
cover, shrubs and trees.
C. Upon Board site plan approval, the Board shall, however, allow paved
ingress and egress from the site to a public street or highway through
a planted buffer area where there are no possible safe exits or entrances
to a road or highway. The area to be so paved shall not be included
as part of the area making up the required planted buffer area.
[Amended 7-11-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-16]
A. The recommended plant selection list shall be adopted by the Township
Council by resolution at least once every February after the Verona
Environmental Commission, in coordination with the Planning Board,
and with input from other groups and professionals as the Verona Environmental
Commission finds necessary, recommends updates to the plant selection
list. In the event the Verona Environmental Commission does not make
a recommendation, or recommends no changes to the plant selection
and placement list, the Township shall readopt the previous plant
selection list by resolution. Once adopted by resolution, the plant
selection list shall be considered part of the Code of the Township
of Verona and shall be posted online and is incorporated herein by
reference. Any amendment to the planting list must first be sent
to the Planning Board for review and comment before being approved
by the Council.
B. Planting of native species is recommended over and above exotic or
non-native species. Native plants in many parts of the U.S. are struggling
because of changes in land use, development practices, and climate,
posing problems for the wildlife species that depend on them for sustenance
and sanctuary. Native plants promote biodiversity and are more adaptive
to the local climate and soil conditions and therefore require less
fertilizer or pesticides. Native plants generally require less water
and help prevent soil erosion. Accordingly, native species are recommended
over and above exotic or non-native species.
C. Evergreen trees, shade trees, and ornamental trees are recommended
and approved species for planted areas and planted buffer areas. Shade
trees when planted shall have a minimum size of 2 1/2 inches
caliper and a minimum branch height of seven feet. If shade trees
are planted in any area on the lot where they will be close to automobiles
or at the end of any parking aisle or near the corner of any intersection
of any aisle and any other driveway or aisle or in any other location
in parking aisles, the trees shall be pruned to remove all limbs at
the trunk if at that point the limbs are lower than 10 feet from the
ground. All new trees must be staked in accordance with the American
Nurserymen's Standards. Trees shall also be protected with deer fencing
until the canopies grow to an ample height, or after their second
growing season.
D. All landscaping is to be completed in a good and workmanlike manner,
and all planted areas and planted buffer areas are subject to the
inspection and approval of the Board prior to the issuance of any
permanent certificate of occupancy.
E. The developer must notify the Planning Board at least 48 hours prior
to the installation of any planted material. The Planning Board may
adopt resolutions at public meetings creating standard specifications
for planted material and planting which, if adopted, shall be adhered
to by all persons installing such material.
F. Substitutions of plants within the same grouping from those shown
in plans submitted are allowed, subject to Board approval, where the
originally designated plants are not available.