[Ord. No. 2006-2 § 3; Ord. No. 2007-04; Ord. No. 2008-11; Ord. No. 2014-01 § 3]
In the design and review of all projects, the following principles shall apply:
a.
Subdivision and Site Design.
1.
Improvements shall be located to the greatest practicable extent to preserve the natural features of the site or tract, to preserve and protect the areas of environmental sensitivity, and to minimize negative impacts upon and alterations of natural features. All development shall be based on consideration of the goals, objectives and policies of the 2000 Master Plan, and the 2005 Master Plan Amendment, as amended from time to time.
2.
All streets, lots, parking areas, buildings and units shall be designed and arranged to reduce unnecessary impervious coverage, and to mitigate adverse effects of shadow, noise, odor, traffic, transportation, drainage and utilities on neighboring properties.
3.
All storm drainage facilities shall be designed as an integral part of the development, and such design shall be arranged to use as much of natural drainage patterns as possible so long as doing so is a matter of best engineering and environmental practice.
4.
Site and tract development shall be designed to reduce cut and fill, to avoid flooding, to avoid adverse impact upon groundwater supplies and aquifer recharges, to be suitably served by infrastructure elements including, but not limited to, sewage disposal installations, and to be provided with adequate access.
5.
In the C-1, C-2, C-3, CED-1, CED-2, FCC, FCNS, FCED, FCR and LI Zones, traditional early American style architecture is encouraged. Earth tone colors are preferred. Use of natural wood materials, masonry such as brick or stone, gable rooflines with a steeper roof structure at a minimum of four inches on 12 inches, and columns are preferred. Examples include Williamsburg, Georgian, New England and Colonial architecture. Buildings with more than 50% exterior glass are specifically discouraged. HVAC equipment and other appurtenances shall be screened from view.
b.
Landscape Design.
1.
Landscaping shall be provided or preserved in all public or common areas, on recreation sites, adjacent to or surrounding buildings, and to provide suitable screening for parking areas and buffers as provided in this section. Parking areas shall be designed to include natural-appearing landscaped islands, preferably in a random and natural-appearing pattern provided that safety is not compromised.
2.
Plants and other landscaping materials shall be selected to best serve the intended function, and all such materials shall be appropriate for local soil conditions, water availability and the environment.
3.
Landscaping shall be varied in amount and species or by material, yet shall be consistent with, or complementary of, the type of development and the indigenous species and materials of Frankford. Site entrances shall be accented with special landscaping treatment.
4.
Wherever practicable, shade trees and other trees and vegetation shall be clustered at critical points rather than in a straight line at predetermined intervals along the street, unless there are compelling design and visual factors suggesting a contrary approach.
5.
Consideration shall be given to the future growth of shrubs and other vegetation so that the same will not block sight distances nor, when planted at and along building foundations, block out building windows.
6.
All major development proposals shall be accompanied by a landscape plan, signed and sealed by a New Jersey Certified Landscape Architect or other qualified professional. The landscape plan shall not be required as a condition of completeness, but must be submitted prior to the public hearing. Landscape plantings shall be provided in all public areas, parking areas, and adjacent to buildings.
7.
Specific landscaping plans and buffers:
(a)
Within the front yard setback area of the C2 and LI zones, no parking is permitted within 100 feet from any street right-of-way or property line. This area shall be attractively landscaped with a mix of shade trees, ornamental trees, evergreens, and shrubs. One deciduous tree (minimum), one evergreen tree (minimum), and five shrubs (minimum) shall be planted for every 40 feet of street frontage. At the time of installation, size of deciduous trees shall be 2 1/2 inches caliper; size of evergreen trees shall be six feet in height, minimum; shrubs shall be at least two feet in height, minimum. Use of earthen berms or mounds is encouraged along the entire length of frontage except at access drives.
(b)
Street trees shall be planted along all existing and proposed streets, and along access driveways (whether public or private) at intervals depending on the type:
Type | Maximum Interval (feet) | Minimum Size (at Installation) |
|---|---|---|
Large trees | 50 | 2 1/2 inch caliper |
Medium trees | 40 | 2 inches caliper |
Small and ornamental | 30 | 1 3/4 inches caliper |
Note: Single-family residential driveways are exempted from this requirement. |
(c)
All entrances to lots shall be defined by special landscaping treatment.
(d)
Existing large trees shall be saved by not varying the grade around the trees by more than six inches to 12 inches, construction of tree wells, and by erecting protective fences. Clumps or masses of trees shall be protected and saved.
(e)
In outdoor parking lots, at least 5% of the parking area shall be landscaped, and one deciduous tree for each 10 spaces shall be installed. The landscaping shall be located in protected areas along walkways, center islands, and at the end of bays.
(f)
All landscaping in parking areas shall be located so as not to obstruct vision. Shade trees shall be branched at seven feet in height as measured from the top of the curb. A variety of different types of trees shall be grouped to break up the mass of cars.
(g)
Foundation plantings shall be provided adjacent to all structures.
(h)
Species of trees and shrub plants are subject to review and approval by the Township Engineer. Use of native species are encouraged.
(i)
Use of earth berms is encouraged in the front yard setback in the C2 and LI zones to screen the project from the roadway. This bermed area is to be used in combination with the required plantings in areas devoid of existing vegetation. Where berms are used, the following standards shall be met:
(1)
Vertically and horizontally meandering berms shall be incorporated into the site grading plan to achieve a natural rolling park-like landscape. Berms shall be two feet to eight feet in height, averaging five feet, except for retail stores where the average height may be reduced to two feet. The width should vary with side slopes of 4:1 to 5:1 without adversely affecting natural drainage patterns.
(2)
Berms shall be overlapping where drainage swales are required to pass through them. The final design must be reflected on the grading/drainage plan.
(j)
Buffers such as fences, landscaping, berms and mounds shall be used to minimize any adverse impacts or nuisances on the site or from adjacent areas. Buffers are required in the C2 and LI zones under the following conditions:
(k)
Buffers shall consist of the following:
(1)
Lands abutting a zone boundary or change in use shall be planted with an evergreen buffer of two rows of staggered plantings. Rows shall be five feet apart, and the evergreens planted at 15 feet on center. A minimum of three species types to be used; minimum height at installation shall be six feet.
(2)
Perimeter of parking lots. All lots with six or more cars shall be screened from view. A year-round screen of four feet minimum in height shall be produced with a combination of trees and shrubs.
(3)
Garbage refuse shall be stored in an enclosed area constructed of either fence or masonry materials. A concrete foundation pad shall be provided. Evergreen foundation plantings shall also be provided; minimum height of two feet for shrubs is required at installation.
(4)
Buffer or screening requirements may be reduced or waived by the Land Use Board if sufficient natural vegetation is present to accomplish the buffer/screening intent.
