[Ord. No. 286 §§ 1,
through 7, 10, 11; amended 12-18-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-7]
a.
The intent of this section is to enhance the Borough's aesthetic
environment and quality of life; aid in the stability of the soil
by the prevention of erosion and sedimentation; reduce stormwater
runoff and the resulting costs of same; help the air quality in the
Borough with the production of oxygen and the removal of carbon dioxide;
provide a buffer and screen against noise; provide shade; aid in the
control of drainage; provide a haven for wildlife; protect and increase
property values and conserve and enhance the Borough's unique
qualities.
b.
It is the purpose of this section to provide for the creation of
a Shade Tree Commission in the Borough of Interlaken; definition of
the powers of the Commission; penalties for violation of the rules
and regulations of the Commission and the establishment of a Tree
Preservation Ordinance.
This section shall be known and cited as "The Shade Tree Commission
and Tree Preservation Regulations of the Borough of Interlaken."
a.
The regulation, planting, care and control of shade and ornamental
trees upon or in the Borough of Interlaken, except county parks, parkways
and rights-of-way shall be exercised by and under the authority of
a Commission consisting of no less than five nor more than seven residents
of the Borough of Interlaken, unless otherwise prescribed by state
statute, which Commission shall be known as "The Shade Tree Commission
of the Borough of Interlaken." The members of the Commission shall
be appointed by the Mayor and shall serve without compensation.
b.
All appointments, except to fill vacancies, shall be made to take
effect upon the first day of January of each year for a full term
of five years. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring in
the membership of the Commission by reason of death, resignation or
removal shall be designated for the unexpired term by the Mayor.
c.
The Shade Tree Commission shall organize annually by the election
of one of its members as Chairman and the appointment of Secretary.
d.
The Shade Tree Commission shall have the power:
1.
To exercise full, sole and exclusive control over the regulation,
planting and care of shade and ornamental trees now situate, or which
may hereinafter be planted in or upon, any public right-of-way, highway,
road, park or parkway except county rights-of-way, parks or parkways
of the Borough and including the planting, trimming, spraying, care
and protection of the same for the public good; the right to regulate
and control the use of the ground surrounding the same so far as may
be necessary for their proper growth, care and protection; the right
to remove or require the removal of any tree or part thereof dangerous
to public safety.
2.
To encourage arboriculture.
3.
To propose the passage, alteration, amendment and repeal of ordinances
by the governing body of this Borough, any and all rules and regulations
necessary or proper for carrying out the provisions of this chapter.
4.
To arrange, administer treatment to, or remove any tree situate upon
private property which is believed to harbor a disease or insects
readily communicable to neighboring healthy trees in the care of the
Municipality and enter upon private property for that purpose, with
the consent of the owner thereof, provided the suspected condition
is first confirmed by certificate issued by or on behalf of the New
Jersey State Department of Agriculture. All reasonable costs of same
shall be the responsibility of the homeowner.
e.
A copy of any rule, rules, regulation or regulations of the Shade
Tree Commission, certified to under the hand of the Chairman or Secretary
of the Commission, shall be taken in any court of this state as full
and legal rule, rules, regulation or regulations.
f.
Except as herein provided, the initial cost of all trees planted
by the Commission, the costs of planting the same, the costs of the
posts, boxes or guards used for the protection of the same, and the
cost of the removal of any tree on Borough property dangerous to the
public safety shall be paid for by the Shade Tree Commission.
g.
During the month of December in each year, the Shade Tree Commission
shall certify to the Borough Council the estimated sum necessary for
the proper conduct of its work during the ensuing fiscal year, which
shall include the sums estimated to be expended for such items as
it is anticipated expenditure will be made, including payment of any
wages or salaries authorized hereunder, expenses incurred in discharging
official duties of the Commission and the purchase of necessary equipment
and materials and the cost of services for the prudent promotion of
the work hereunder. The Borough Council shall annually appropriate
such amount as it may deem necessary for the above purposes.
As used in this chapter:
Any and all land designed by the Borough Tax Map as land
owned solely and exclusively by the Borough of Interlaken, including
but not limited to Borough parks and Borough property or rights-of-way
located between the sidewalks and curbs.
The circumference of the main stem of a tree measured at
a point on the stem 4 1/2 feet above the ground.
Any woody perennial plant having a single stem diameter minimum
of two inches measured at a point six inches above the ground.
No person shall do or cause to be done any of the following
acts on Borough-owned property, right-of-way, street, road, highway,
park or parkway without the recommendation and approval of the Shade
Tree Commission:
a.
Cut, trim, break, remove, climb with spikes, disturb the roots or
otherwise intentionally injure, misuse or spray with harmful chemicals
any tree two inches or more in diameter measured six inches above
the ground or remove any device installed to support or protect such
trees.
b.
Plant any tree.
c.
Fasten any rope, wire, electrical equipment, sign or other device
to a tree or install any guard about such a tree.
d.
Pile, heap or store any building materials, soil, debris or other
matter or make mortar or cement within a distance of three feet of
a tree.
e.
Cause any oil, gas or other injurious chemical to come in contact
with the trunk or roots of any tree.
Reasonable pruning of trees by utility companies necessary to
provide for line clearance for utility wires shall be exempt from
the provisions of this chapter.
a.
Any person, firm, association or corporation who violates the terms of this chapter or any rule or regulation promulgated hereunder shall, upon conviction, be liable for the penalty established in Chapter 1, § 1-5. In addition to the foregoing, the Borough of Interlaken may institute and maintain a civil action for injunctive relief restraining the continuance of any unlawful tree removal project.
b.
All monies or funds collected hereunder, either as fines, penalties,
grants or otherwise under any provision of this chapter or any amendment
thereto, shall be forthwith paid over to the Borough Treasurer, shall
be placed to the credit of the Shade Tree Commission of the Borough,
and shall be subject to be drawn upon by the Commission for the conduct
of its performance hereunder.
No statute giving an individual or state or municipal board,
body or official power or authority to lay any sidewalk along, or
to open, construct curb or pave any street or do any like act shall
be held or construed to permit or authorize any interference with
or injury to a highway shade tree without the consent of the Shade
Tree Commission; provided that in all cases the Commission shall reasonably
cooperate with such individual board, body or official for the general
public good; and provided further that nothing herein contained shall
be held to take away or diminish any of the powers or authority of
any County Park Commission over the trees or shrubbery in any County
park or parkway within its jurisdiction or to give the Shade Tree
Commission any power or authority with respect to such trees or shrubbery.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to hold the Shade
Tree Commission or any member thereof responsible for the death or
injury of any person or for an injury to any property or highway tree
or shrub.
[Ord. No. 2014-2; amended 12-18-2019 by Ord. No.
2019-7]
The purpose of this chapter is to prevent indiscriminate, uncontrolled,
and excessive destruction, removal, and clear cutting of trees upon
lots and tracts of land within the Borough of Interlaken in order
to maintain the aesthetic character of the Borough of Interlaken,
prevent erosion, and control actions that will substantially change
drainage patterns, and restrict actions that will cause a hazard to
persons or property.
As used in this section, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
The removal of all standing trees on a site or portion of
a site.
Any unforeseen circumstance or occurrence, the existence
of which constitutes a clear and immediate danger or hazard to person
or property.
Any tree with a circumference of 40 inches or more.
Any street or road shown upon a map or plan filed in the
Monmouth County Clerk's office or on the Official Map of the
Borough of Interlaken.
The actual removal of trees, or direct or indirect actions
resulting in the effective removal of trees through damage or poison,
or similar actions directly or indirectly resulting in the death of
trees subject to the provisions of this section. Moving a tree to
a different location on the same property does not constitute "removal."
"Removal" shall not include pruning for maintenance purposes.
Any lot, tract, parcel or parcels of land within the Borough.
A certificate issued by the Borough to remove trees as defined
in this section.
An area in which trees, shrubs, and understory will not be
disturbed by filling, cutting or by any other means.
a.
No person shall remove, or cause to be removed, any heritage tree
upon any lands within the Borough of Interlaken except as follows:
1.
Trees that are to be removed as the direct result of a development
application that has been approved by the Borough of Interlaken Planning
Board;
2.
Any trees cut or removed in accordance with a management plan developed
by the New Jersey Department of Environmental protection, Bureau of
Forestry, filed with the Construction Official of the Borough;
3.
Trees directed to be removed by municipal, county, state or federal
authority;
4.
Trees that are to be removed as the result of the issuance of a tree
removal permit.
b.
No person shall remove any tree growing on or over a public right
of way or public land without the express written consent of a competent
municipal authority (Code Enforcement Officer, Borough Engineer, etc.)
or Commission.
A tree removal permit shall be required for the removal of any
heritage tree, as follows:
a.
Heritage trees that are dead, severely damaged or in an advanced
state of decline by natural causes or accident to the point that the
natural habit of the heritage tree cannot be restored as determined
by a New Jersey licensed tree expert or competent public authority
(Borough Engineer); heritage trees that are severely diseased and
require removal as certified by a New Jersey licensed tree expert;
or heritage trees that pose an imminent public safety hazard as determined
by a New Jersey licensed tree expert or a competent public authority
(police, Borough Engineer, etc.).
b.
Heritage trees required to be removed subject to a construction permit
as issued by the construction official for construction of new residences,
additions to residences, or the construction of swimming pools or
other accessory buildings or structures that are not the subject of
Planning Board application approvals. Such trees shall clearly be
shown on the construction plans and identified by size and the removal
of same shall, in the opinion of the construction official or his
designee, clearly be necessary for the construction of the subject
building or structure.
c.
Heritage trees may only be removed for compelling reasons based on
the totality of the circumstances. The Code Enforcement Officer or
his/her designee shall use best efforts to reach a determination that
fairly takes into account the objectives of this section and the concerns
of the applicant. In evaluating a tree removal permit application,
the Code Enforcement Officer or his/her designee may consider, without
limitation, the following factors:
1.
The health of the tree;
2.
Impact of tree removal on ecological systems;
3.
Impact of tree removal on wildlife;
4.
Topography of the area and drainage impact;
5.
Impact of tree removal on noise, light or air quality;
6.
Density of tree area;
7.
Overall effect of tree removal on the physical and aesthetic value
of the property;
8.
Whether the continued presence of the tree or trees is likely to
cause danger to a person or property.
Application form: An application form can be obtained from the
Code Enforcement Officer or Borough Clerk and shall include the following
information:
a.
Name and address (street and lot and block) of the owner of the premises
and status of legal entity (individual, partnership, corporation).
b.
Description of the premises where removal is to take place, including
lot and block numbers, and street address as assigned if different
than the address of the owner.
c.
Purpose of heritage tree removal.
d.
In addition to the application form, a survey or diagram showing
the approximate location and size of heritage trees exist on the lot
and identifying those trees to be removed.
e.
If a heritage tree is removed under the requirements of Subsection
22-2.4.2, a mitigation plan must be submitted which will provide for
the replacement of all removed heritage trees by planting a tree of
three inches to 3 1/2 inches caliper with a similar mature height
or a fee to the Borough of Interlaken in the amount of $500 per tree
removed.
f.
For any heritage trees to be removed under the requirements of Subsection
22-2.4.3, a replacement plan must be submitted showing the planting
of trees for any heritage tree removal. The replacement trees must
be a minimum caliper of three inches to 3 1/2 inches with a similar
mature height or a fee to the Borough of Interlaken in the amount
of $500 for each tree may be made. These plans must be submitted and
approved by the Code Enforcement Officer or his/her designee prior
to the issuance of any permits.
Upon the filing of an application with the Code Enforcement
Officer for a tree removal permit under the terms of this section,
the applicant shall pay an application fee of $25. An application
may include more than one heritage tree within a single application
fee.
a.
Time limits for action. The Code Enforcement Officer or his/her designee
shall act on an application for tree removal permit within 30 days
of the receipt of a complete application. Failure to act within 30
days shall be deemed to be an approval of the application and thereafter,
a tree removal permit shall be issued.
b.
Duration of permits.
1.
If granted for a lot or parcel of land for which no building permit
is required, three months from the date of issuance.
2.
If granted for a lot or parcel of land for which a building permit
is required but for which no variance, subdivision, or site plan approval
is required or has been approved by the Planning Board, until expiration
of building permit granted with such tree removal permit.
Whenever any application for a tree removal permit shall be
denied by the Code Enforcement Officer or his/her designee, the applicant
may appeal the denial to the Borough Administrator by filing a written
notice of appeal with the Borough Clerk within 10 days after receiving
notice of the denial. Upon receipt of the notice of appeal, the Borough
Administrator shall appoint a hearing panel consisting of three members:
The Borough Engineer or his/her designee, and any other two designees
of the Borough Administrator. This panel shall proceed to hear the
appeal upon notice to the applicant within 30 days of the filing of
such notice of appeal. This panel shall have the discretion, after
interviewing both the applicant and the Code Enforcement Officer or
his/her designee, to reverse, affirm, or modify the aforesaid decision.
In connection with any construction, subsequent to tree clearing
but prior to the start of other construction, snow fencing or other
protective barrier acceptable to the Construction Official and/or
Borough Engineer, shall be placed around trees that are not to be
removed. The protective barriers shall be placed at the dripline or
canopy line of any tree and shall remain in place until all construction
activity is terminated. No equipment, chemicals, soil deposits, or
construction materials shall be placed within any area so protected
by barriers. Any landscaping activities subsequent to the removal
of the barriers shall be accomplished with light machinery or hand
labor.
In the event of an emergency, any person otherwise subject to
this section, having responsibility, jurisdiction and/or authority
to cure, remedy or mitigate dangerous, hazardous, inconvenient, unhealthy
or obnoxious conditions resulting from the emergency, may, without
first applying for and obtaining a permit under this section, take
any lawful action which is otherwise a regulated activity. However,
such person or the agent or designee of such person, shall apply for
a tree removal permit not later than the end of the second succeeding
business day after any regulated activity takes place and may not
proceed with nonemergency work, including restoration, until a permit
is obtained.
When regulated trees are removed without a tree removal permit,
the affected areas shall be replanted as required by the Code Enforcement
Officer or his/her designee. Any such replanting shall be in accordance
with the requirements of the Site Plan Ordinance. Any person found
guilty of violating any of the provisions of this section shall be
subject to a fine not exceeding $1,250 per removed tree. Each heritage
tree removed or destroyed in violation of this section shall be considered
a separate violation.
