Editor's Note: The Borough has authority to regulate
soil removal under the general police power, N.J.S.A. 40:48-1, 2.
N.J.S.A. 40:64-5 authorizes regulation of shade trees as set forth
in this chapter.
[1984 Code § 15-1.1]
a.
The unregulated and uncontrolled relocation, filling, excavation
and removal of soil on a large scale by developers and excavators
has resulted in conditions detrimental to the public safety, health
and general welfare substantially hampering and deterring the efforts
of the Borough of Haworth to effectuate the general purpose of municipal
planning.
b.
Continuation of the unregulated and uncontrolled relocation, filling,
excavation and removal of soil will result in serious and irreparable
damage to the public welfare by reason of consequent soil erosion
by water and wind; inadequate and improper surface water drainage;
the decrease in or destruction of the fertility of solid; the removal
of lateral support of abutting streets, lands and premises; the creation
of dust storms and mosquito breeding places; the creation of dangerous
depressions or pits; the deterioration of property values; the rendering
of lands unfit or unsuitable to their most appropriate uses; and the
creation of other factors and elements hampering and deterring the
coordinated, adjusted and harmonious physical development of the Borough.
[1984 Code § 15-1.12]
As used in this chapter:
Shall mean any person who, either directly or through an
agent or independent contractor, engages or intends to engage in land
subdivision or in the construction of two or more dwelling houses,
business or industrial building, in any subdivision, for the purpose
of sale to or occupancy by persons.
Shall mean:
Any person who moves soil in or upon more than 12,500 square
feet of land area in a district zoned for residential use;
Any person who moves soil in or upon more than 10,000 square
feet of land area in all zones other than residential;
Any person who moves soil in excess of 300 cubic yards to, on
or from any land areas within the Borough.
Shall mean any parcel of land or portion thereof, the boundary
lines of which can be ascertained by reference to the maps and records,
or either, in the office of the Tax Assessor, or in the office of
Bergen County Clerk.
For the purpose of this chapter, a lot shall also be deemed
to be any contiguous parcels of land under common ownership, which
ownership can be ascertained by reference to the maps and records,
or either, in the office of the Tax Assessor, or in the office of
the Bergen County Clerk.
Shall mean to dig, excavate, remove, deposit, place, fill,
grade, regrade, level, or otherwise alter or change the location or
contour; to transport; to supply. The term shall not be construed
to include plowing, spading, cultivation, harrowing or discing of
soil, or any other operation usually and ordinarily associated with
the tilling of soil for agricultural or horticultural purposes.
Shall mean any person seized in fee simple of any lot, or
having such other interest or estate therein as will permit exercise
of effective possession thereof or dominion thereover.
Shall mean any earth, sand, gravel, humus, rock or dirt,
without regard to the presence or absence therein of organic matter.
Shall mean soil that, in its natural state, constitutes the
top layer of earth, and is composed of 2% or more, by weight, of organic
matter and has the ability to support vegetation.
[1984 Code § 15-1.2]
a.
No developer and no excavator shall move or cause, allow, permit
or suffer to be moved, any soil in or upon any lot in the Borough
unless a soil permit shall first have been issued by the Secretary
of the Planning Board.
b.
No owner of any lot in the Borough shall cause, allow, permit or
suffer any soil in or upon such lot to be moved by any developer or
excavator until such developer or excavator has first obtained a soil
permit.
c.
The matter of reviewing and considering all applications for soil
permits is hereby referred to the Planning Board. The Secretary of
the Planning Board shall issue no soil permit until the Planning Board
approved the same and submitted to him its report and recommendation.
[1984 Code § 15-1.3]
The procedure for applying for and issuance of a soil permit
shall be as follows:
a.
Form of Application. On forms prescribed and supplied by the Planning
Board, the applicant shall set forth, in duplicate:
1.
His/her name and address.
2.
The description of the lands in question.
3.
The name and address of the owner of the lands.
4.
The purpose or reason for moving the soil and whether it will be
done in connection with a proposed subdivision; if so, the date of
filing of the application for subdivision.
5.
The kind and quality in cubic yards of soil to be removed.
6.
In case of removal, the place to which the soil is to be removed,
and the kind and quality of soil to be removed.
7.
The proposed date of completion of the work.
8.
A certification that he has placed or caused to be placed stakes
at each corner of the lands from which soil is to be removed, and
further that he has placed or caused to be placed grade stakes at
the existing elevation points designated on the topographical map
pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 4, clearly marked to indicate
the soil cuts or fill.
9.
Such other pertinent data as the Planning Board may, by resolution,
hereafter require.
b.
Signature. The application shall bear the signature of the applicant
and the endorsement of the owner or owners of the lands signifying
approval of the application, consent to the applicant to perform the
proposed work, and consent to the Borough in the event of failure
of the applicant to do so, to cause the proposed work to be completed
or otherwise terminated in keeping with the purposes and objectives
of this chapter.
c.
Topographical Map. Accompanying the application shall be eight prints
of the topographical map of the lot upon which the proposed soil moving
operations are to be conducted and of all surrounding lands within
200 feet of the perimeter of the lot prepared and certified by a licensed
professional or civil engineer or land surveyor of the State of New
Jersey, on a scale of not less than one inch to 100 feet, and referred
to United States Coast and Geodetic Survey Data, showing both as to
the lot and as to all of the surrounding lands:
1.
The dimensions of the lot and lot and block number of the lot of
each lot in the surrounding lands as shown on the tax assessment map.
2.
The existing elevations of all lands on a 100 foot grid layout.
3.
The existing elevations of all buildings, structures, streets, streams,
bodies of water and water courses, natural or artificial.
4.
All existing surface and/or subsurface water drainage conditions
and provisions therefor.
5.
All wooded areas and all trees having a diameter of six inches or
more at the base.
6.
The limits of the area or areas within the lot or lots in question
within which the soil moving operations are to be conducted, and the
existing elevations of the limits at intervals of not more than 100
feet.
7.
The proposed final elevations at each point where existing elevations
shown on the map are to be changed as a result of completion of the
proposed work.
8.
Proposed slopes and lateral supports at the limits of the area upon
completion of the soil moving operations.
9.
Proposed provisions and facilities for surface water drainage and
where applicable channels of any streams, bodies of water and water
courses, natural or artificial, including detailed cross-sections
showing proposed channel widths, bank slopes and method of erosion
and control thereof.
10.
Accurate cross sections showing the locations and quantities, in
cubic yards of soil to be moved.
11.
All proposed elevations in enclosed rectangular boxes; and all existing
elevations to be indicated without any kind of enclosure.
12.
Such other pertinent data as the Planning Board may, by resolution,
require.
d.
Filing Fee. The application shall be submitted to the Secretary of
the Planning Board with a fee to the order of the Borough in an amount
computed at the rate of ten ($0.10) cents per cubic yard multiplied
by the number of cubic yards to be moved, as stated in the application
and certified on the topographical map, provided, however, that in
no event shall such fee be less than $75.
e.
Inspection. The Borough Engineer shall make an inspection of the
site from which soil is to be moved and shall make such engineering
studies as may be required to determine the effect of the removal
of soil from the location as it relates to:
1.
Soil erosion by water and wind.
2.
Surface and sub-surface water drainage.
3.
Soil fertility.
4.
Lateral support of abutting streets and lands.
5.
Public health and safety.
6.
Such other factors as may bear upon or relate to the coordinated,
adjusted and harmonious physical development of the Borough.
He shall also inspect the aforesaid site to determine whether
stakes have been placed on each corner thereof and whether grade stakes
have been placed at the existing elevation points designated on the
topographical map pursuant to the provision of paragraph a of this
subsection. In the event of refusal of the soil permit, as hereinafter
provided, the fee paid by the applicant shall be refunded, except
that all monies and costs incurred by the Borough for engineering
surveys and reports, inspection fees and legal fees shall be retained
by the Borough and the balance remaining shall be refunded to the
applicant, together with a statement of the costs and expenses incurred
by the Borough in the processing of the soil application.
f.
Hearing. The Planning Board shall within a reasonable time after
receipt of the application, fix a date for hearing for the purpose
of considering the application and shall give to the applicant, by
registered mail, notice of the time and place of the hearing. The
applicant shall at least five days prior to the date appointed for
the hearing, serve written notice either in person or by registered
mail upon such persons as are shown by the assessment rolls of the
Borough to be the owners of such lots as are within 200 feet of the
property in question. The applicant shall at the hearing present to
the Planning Board satisfactory proof, in affidavit form, of the service
of the notices.
g.
Decision. The Planning Board shall review and consider the application
and shall render its report and recommendation to the Secretary of
the Planning Board who shall grant or refuse the permit in accordance
with the recommendation. The report and recommendation shall be made
within 60 days after the receipt of the application.
h.
Appeal. In the event of refusal, the applicant may, not later than
30 days after the date of refusal appeal to the Borough Council. The
Borough Council may by a majority vote sustain or by a 2/3 vote of
its entire membership overrule the Planning Board recommendations.
i.
Form. The soil permit shall be in such form as may be prescribed
by the Planning Board; shall be signed by the Secretary of the Planning
Board, and either the Chairman of the Planning Board or the Chairman
of the Soil Committee of the Planning Board, and shall contain any
special conditions set forth in the recommendation.
j.
Term. The soil permit shall be dated as of the date it is actually
issued, and the term of the permit shall not exceed one year. All
permits shall automatically expire on the termination date unless
application for renewal has been made and approved in writing extending
such permit.
[1984 Code § 15-1.4]
In considering and reviewing the application, the Planning Board
shall be guided by general purpose of municipal planning, and shall
take into consideration the following factors:
a.
Soil erosion by water and wind.
b.
Surface and/or subsurface water drainage.
c.
Soil fertility.
d.
Lateral support abutting streets and lands.
e.
Public health and safety.
f.
Land values and uses.
g.
Such other factors as may bear upon or relate to the coordinated,
adjusted and harmonious physical development of the Borough.
[1984 Code § 15-1.5]
No person to whom a soil permit has been issued shall:
a.
Conduct or maintain on the premises any sand, gravel, or similar
kind of pit, any sand or gravel washing or screening machinery or
equipment, any business or industry not permitted in the district
in which the premises are located and classified by the zoning ordinance
or any endeavor or enterprise other than the grading or regrading
of the premises in accordance with the provision of the permit, and
where applicable, the necessary disposal of soil incidental to the
grading or regrading.
b.
Conduct or maintain any soil moving operations without having first
made adequate provision by means of road oil, or otherwise for the
laying of dust incidental to the use of vehicles, machinery and equipment
on the lands described in the soil permit.
c.
Neglect to dispose of, on or before the completion date stated in
the application, any partially, or wholly excavated boulders or other
incombustible debris resulting from the soil moving operations, by
burial or removal, or any partially or wholly excavated stumps, felled
or uprooted trees or other combustible debris resulting from the soil
moving operations, by combustion or removal from the premises.
d.
Conduct any soil moving operations beyond the expiration date as
set forth in the soil permit or extended expiration date as may duly
be granted by the Planning Board.
[1984 Code § 15-1.6]
a.
Whenever any developer or excavator shall move topsoil in or upon
any lot, provision shall be made for the storage of the topsoil within
the boundary lines of the lot.
b.
Except as hereinafter provided, all of the topsoil so stored shall
be uniformly replaced over the entire area or surface of the lot on
or before the completion date set forth in the soil permit, so that
the final grade or grades of replaced topsoil shall be in accordance
with the proposed final grades shown on the topographical map.
c.
No developer or excavator shall remove to any point beyond the boundary
lines of the lot any topsoil whatsoever unless and until topsoil not
inferior in quality to that to be removed shall first have been replaced
uniformly to a depth of not less than six inches, measured from the
proposed final grades as shown on the topographical map, over the
entire surface or area of the lot, excepting only such portions thereof
as shall be or shall have become, since the date of filing of the
topographical map, permanently covered by a building or structure,
street pavement, curb, sidewalk, driveway or other paved area, or
by any body of water or waterway. In no event shall the developer
or excavator remove from the lot more topsoil than that comprising
the surplus or excess remaining after the replacement of the topsoil
as aforesaid.
[1984 Code § 15-1.7]
No developer or excavator shall, at any time in the course of
the work, dig or excavate more than six inches below the proposed
final grades as shown on the topographical map unless:
a.
The soil permit specifies otherwise and the performance bond, thereinafter
referred to, makes specific provision for replacement, on or before
the completion date set forth in the soil permit, of soil of sufficient
quantity and kinds to restore the final grades to those shown on the
topographical map.
b.
After issuance of the soil permit, the developer or excavator, before
digging or excavating below the minimum level, shall apply to the
Planning Board and be granted an amendment of the application and
topographical map then in effect, which amendment may be granted upon
such terms as the Planning Board may deem necessary to assure adherence
to the purpose and objectives of this chapter.
[1984 Code § 15-1.8]
No developer or excavator shall deposit soil upon, fill in,
or raise the grade of any lot without first making provision for:
a.
The use in the work of soil or such other materials as will not result
in deviation from the proposed final grades or the uniformity thereof
by reason of abnormal shrinkage or settlement.
b.
The collection and storage upon the lot of the original topsoil to
the end that the topsoil shall not be buried beneath soil or other
material of inferior quality, and the uniform replacement of the topsoil
so stored over the entire area or surface of the fill soil or other
material, so that the final grade or grades of the replaced topsoil
shall be in accordance with the proposed final grades shown on the
topographical map. In the event that such provision be not practicable,
provision shall be made for the uniform placement over the entire
area or surface of the fill soil or other material, excepting only
such portions thereof as shall be or shall have become permanently
covered by a building or structure, street, pavement, curb, sidewalk,
driveway or other paved area, or by any body of water or waterway,
of a layer of topsoil not inferior in quality to that of the original
topsoil, to a depth of not less than six inches, measured from the
proposed final grades as by another person as shown on the topographical
map.
[1984 Code § 15-1.9]
a.
In the event that the Planning Board recommends approval of the soil
removal application, the Secretary of the Planning Board shall forthwith
give notice to the applicant of the action of the Board, and further,
the amount of the performance bond required as hereinafter set forth.
In the event that the applicant fails to post the required performance
bond within 60 days of the notice, then the recommendation of the
Planning Board shall be automatically rescinded.
b.
No soil permit shall be issued unless the applicant shall have posted
with the Borough a performance bond in form and with surety acceptable
to the Borough in such amount as the Planning Board shall determine,
conditioned upon full and faithful performance by the principal, within
the time specified in the application of all the proposed work in
accordance with the provisions of this chapter and of the soil permit
issued pursuant hereto.
c.
The amount of the bond shall be determined at the rate of not less
than ten ($.10) cents per cubic yard and not in excess of fifty ($.50)
cents per cubic yard of the amount of soil to be moved, provided however,
that in no event shall the bond be less than the principal amount
of $2,000. In ascertaining the rate upon which to compute the amount
of the bond, the Planning Board shall take into consideration such
factors as may bear upon the facility with which the proposed work
may be performed including, but not limited to the type and character
of soil, the extent of the area over which the soil moving operations
are to be conducted, the extent and depth of the various cuts and
fills, the extent to which the area of operations is wooded, the proximity
of the proposed operations to streets, buildings, structures, natural
or artificial streams or water courses and general drainage conditions.
d.
Before the holder of any soil permit shall proceed before the Planning
Board with any application for any amendment or alteration of the
terms and conditions of any outstanding soil permit, there shall be
submitted to the Planning Board the written consent of the surety
on the bond approving the application for amendment or alteration
and consenting to extension of the bond coverage thereto.
e.
Applications for the release of any bonds posted in accordance with
the terms of this chapter, and/or the resolution of the Planning Board,
shall be accompanied by an affidavit stating that the soil moving
operation has been completed in accordance with the application and
all plans, maps and other data filed therewith, and in accordance
with all resolutions and conditions therein adopted by the Planning
Board. The affidavit shall be executed by a licensed professional
or civil engineer of the State of New Jersey.
[1984 Code § 15-1.10]
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to affect or apply
to any person engaged in the moving of soil in and upon lands enrolled
in the Soil Conservation Program of the Northeastern Jersey Soil Conservation
District of the United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation
Service, and for which lands an "Approved Farm Plan" has been established
by the agency, provided that all soil-moving operations in and upon
such lands are performed in accordance with the "Approved Farm Plan."
[1984 Code § 15-1.10]
For the purpose of administering and enforcing this chapter,
any duly authorized officer, agent or employee of the Borough shall
have the right to enter into and upon any land in or upon which soil
moving operations are being conducted to examine and inspect such
lands.
