[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council
of the Borough of Highland Park 4-21-2020 by Ord. No. 20-2001.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Ch. 388,
Tree Removal and Protection, adopted by Ord. No. 1157, as amended.
This chapter shall be known as the "Tree Removal and Protection
Ordinance of the Borough of Highland Park."
A.
The Mayor and Council of the Borough of Highland Park find that the
preservation, maintenance, protection and planting of trees aid in
the stabilization of soil by the prevention of erosion and sedimentation;
reduce stormwater runoff and the potential damage it may create; aid
in the removal of pollutants from the air and assists in the generation
of oxygen; provide a buffer and screen against noise and pollution;
aid in the control of drainage and restoration of denuded soil subsequent
to construction or grading; provide a haven for birds and other wildlife
and otherwise enhances the environment; protect and increases property
values; preserves and enhances the Borough's physical and aesthetic
appearance; and protects the public health and safety as well as the
general welfare. It is the intent, therefore, of this chapter to regulate
and control the indiscriminate and excessive cutting of trees in the
Borough. It is the further intent of this chapter to encourage property
owners to preserve and build around trees whenever possible.
B.
Trees are declared to be important cultural, ecological, scenic and
economic resources. It is recognized that there is a strong relationship
between the integrity of the Borough's water resources, development
on steep slopes, tree removal, soil disturbance, stormwater management
and the general use of the land resources; and a correlation between
increased air pollution and high-density residential and commercial
or industrial uses. Therefore, the Borough finds that the appropriate
management of these resources is an important health, safety and general
welfare concern.
C.
The enforcement of this chapter shall be the duty of the Department
of Code Enforcement of the Borough of Highland Park in consultation
with DPW for the purpose of the regulation, planting, care and control
of shade, ornamental and evergreen trees and shrubs in the streets,
highways and public places of the Borough and tree removal on all
lands within the Borough of Highland Park.
A.
CLEAR-CUTTING
DIAMETER AT POINT OF MEASUREMENT
EXTRAORDINARY TREE
MANAGEMENT PLAN
REPLACEMENT TREE
STAC
As used in this chapter, the terms hereafter set forth shall be defined
and deemed to have the following meanings:
As the removal or destruction of 20% or greater of the trees
having a diameter at point of measurement (DPM) of eight inches or
more for shade trees or a height of 10 feet or more for evergreen
and ornamental trees on any lot within a twelve-month period.
The diameter of a tree measured 4 1/2 feet (forestry
method) above the ground level on the downhill side for existing trees.
Trees utilized in the replacement of existing trees or proposed as
part of a landscape plan shall be measured 12 inches above ground
level for trees over a four-inch diameter, and the measurement shall
be six inches above grade for trees up to a four-inch diameter (nursery
method). Diameter at point of measurement may appear as the abbreviation
"DPM."
Any tree with a DPM of 36 inches or greater and any other
tree or species as designated by Borough Council. The Borough Council
may, from time to time, designate an extraordinary tree, including
but not limited to an historic or landmark tree.
Plan for the management of timbered or forested lands developed
by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Bureau
of Forestry, or similar county, state or federal agency or the Highland
Park Community Forestry Management Plan.
A nursery-grown certified tree, properly balled and burlapped,
and marked with a durable label indicating genus, species and variety,
and satisfying the standards for nursery stock and installation thereof
set forth by the American Association of Nurserymen. Native species
are encouraged to be used whenever possible. Nonbiodegradable materials
such as plastic shall be removed when the replacement tree is planted.
The Shade Tree Advisory Committee (STAC) of the Borough of
Highland Park, including any of its duly appointed members and any
of its duly authorized agents or employees.
B.
Any term or provision of this chapter that contemplates, directs,
regulates or prohibits the doing of any act may, in applicable cases
and where the context so requires, be construed to include the causing,
allowing, permitting or suffering of such act to be done by others
under the direction, control or supervision of the person charged
therewith. Every such act shall be deemed to be within the scope of
this chapter, regardless of whether it is a deliberate, intentional
or purposeful act or a careless, negligent or unintentional act.
A.
It shall be unlawful for any person to cut, destroy or remove, or
cause to be cut, destroyed or removed, any tree upon any lands within
the Borough that has a caliper diameter at point of measurement (DPM)
of eight inches or more without a tree removal permit. Tree removal
permits shall be applied for at the Code Enforcement Office in Borough
Hall. Property owners are encouraged to keep and build structures
and sidewalks around trees whenever possible. If a tree on private
property is less than eight inches DPM, a permit is not required unless
declared by Borough Council to be an extraordinary tree.
B.
Extraordinary trees. On all real property upon which extraordinary
trees are located, trees having been designated as such under the
provisions of this chapter shall be maintained in a living condition,
and it shall be unlawful for any person to remove such tree without
an approved tree removal permit.
(1)
Site plan or tree removal plan. Trees shall be designated as follows
and shall require that their location, DPM and type be clearly listed
on the site plan or tree removal plan:
C.
Excepted from specific tree removal permit application and permit
fee, but not from tree replacement or from mitigation payments to
the tree replacement fund, shall be:
(1)
All property development as authorized in accordance with a site
plan approval or subdivision approval granted by the Planning Board
or Board of Adjustment of the Borough in accordance with the provisions
of N.J.S.A. 40:55D-20 (exclusive authority of Planning Board and Board
of Adjustment) and strictly conforming to any conditions imposed by
such boards. Under no circumstances shall clear-cutting be permitted
on any property.
(2)
The pruning or trimming of trees in a manner that is not harmful
to the health of the tree.
(3)
The cutting, removal or destruction of a tree as necessary to construct
any structure for which a building permit has been issued by the Department
of Code Enforcement.
(4)
The cutting, removal or destruction of any tree pursuant to an order
or directive of any municipal, county or state agency or court.
Any person wishing to obtain a permit to remove one or more
trees within the Borough with a DPM equal to or greater than eight
inches shall make application to the Department of Code Enforcement
by filing a written application and paying such fee as set forth herein.
Where an application as required by this chapter has been submitted,
no permit shall be issued until a tree removal and replacement plan
for the lot or parcel has been reviewed and approved by the Department
of Code Enforcement after an on-site inspection or review by a licensed
tree expert statement as to condition of the tree. An approval or
denial of application shall be issued within 20 business days of submission
of an application for a permit.
A.
Applications for a permit shall be made to the Department of Code
Enforcement and shall contain the following information:
(1)
The name and address of the applicant.
(2)
The name and address of the owner of the property from which the
trees are to be removed.
(3)
The address and tax lot and block of the property.
(4)
The number of trees requested to be removed, their DPM, and the reason
for removal.
(5)
For the removal of five trees or more, a tree removal plan consisting
of a map drawn to scale showing the following information:
(a)
The shape and dimensions of the lot or parcel, including the
location of all easements.
(b)
All existing and proposed tree line limits.
(c)
The identification and location of all trees to be removed,
specifically by an assigned number, species and the DPM of each tree.
(d)
The installation and limits of any temporary existing tree protection
fence necessary to comply with this chapter.
(e)
The location of all existing and proposed structures on the
property, along with the distance that the trees proposed to be removed
are located from such structures and from property lines. A reproduction
of the Tax Map or an existing survey modified to provide this information
shall be acceptable.
(f)
Any other information which shall reasonably be required to
enable the application to be properly evaluated, including but not
limited to a description of the purpose for which this application
is to be made; e.g., danger to adjacent properties, removal of diseased
or damaged trees, transplanting or removal in a growing condition
to other locations, installation of utilities, or drainage of surface
water.
(6)
A tree replacement plan consisting of a map drawn to scale showing
the location of all replacement trees to be planted, the species of
such trees and their respective DPM or a check payable to the Tree
Replacement Fund in the amount to cover the number of replacement
trees not planted.
B.
Inspection. The applicant shall place a one-inch-wide red, yellow,
or blue ribbon around the trunk of each tree to be removed at a height
of 4 1/2 feet above the ground so that the proposed tree removal
may be inspected in the field.
C.
All reasonable efforts shall be made to preserve extraordinary trees,
including but not limited to, if feasible, relocation of infrastructure,
roadways, and buildings. Removal of extraordinary trees shall require
the specific written recommendation of and approval of the Borough
Council.
Upon application for a tree removal permit, the applicant shall
pay a permit fee of $25. Such permit shall be valid for 12 months
from the date of issuance and shall permit the removal of up to 10
trees from the named property during that period.
A.
Upon receipt of an application for the cutting, destruction or removal
of trees either the Department of Code Enforcement in consultation
with DPW or a licensed tree expert shall inspect the site on which
the trees sought to be cut, destroyed or removed are located and shall
evaluate the drainage and other physical conditions existing on the
subject property and adjoining properties. The following factors shall
be grounds for denial of a permit:
(1)
If any area of the property for which the tree removal permit is sought meets the definition of "steep slope," as set forth in this code, then no trees shall be removed from such area, except in compliance with the applicable code section. The tree removal plan required under § 388-6A(5) shall include the delineation of each such steep slope area.
(2)
If any area of the property for which the tree removal permit is sought meets the definition of "riparian zone," as set forth in this code, then no trees shall be removed from such area. The tree removal plan required under § 388-6A(5) shall include the delineation of each such riparian zone.
(3)
No street tree planted in Borough right-of-way shall be removed by
adjacent property owners. Where tree roots interfere with sidewalks,
driveways, or curbs, alternatives to removal need to be considered
before removal is permitted.
(4)
No extraordinary tree shall be removed, unless STAC and DPW have
made this recommendation, Borough Council has approved, and the Department
of Code Enforcement has issued a permit.
B.
Permission shall be granted for the removal of trees without mitigation
if:
(1)
The tree is dead, diseased, injured or in danger of falling; or
(2)
The tree poses a safety hazard to persons or property or poses a
danger to any adjacent structures, whether on the same property as
the tree or a neighboring property; or
(3)
The tree is of a species that appears on any list of invasive or
nonindigenous species published by the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection, as such list may be updated from time to time, or any
successor list published by an agency or department of the State of
New Jersey; or
(4)
The tree interferes with existing utility service and cannot be reasonably
remedied by trimming, as determined by the Department of Code Enforcement
in consultation with the Department of Public Works or by a licensed
tree expert; or
(5)
The continued presence of the tree conflicts with any other ordinance
or regulation promulgated by the Borough of Highland Park, or by the
County of Middlesex or by the State of New Jersey.
C.
For the avoidance of doubt, this provision requires that a permit
be obtained and the fee for such permit paid, but no replacement tree
or payment to the Tree Replacement Fund shall be required.
All tree removal permits shall be limited to one year from date
of issuance as designated by the permit. If the approved tree removal
has not occurred within one year, a new permit must be applied for
and is subject to the payment of new fees. If, however, the applicant
diligently pursues other governmental approval, or if approved development
is ongoing, the permit shall be renewed for up to two six-month periods.
A renewal fee of $100 shall be due and payable for an annual renewal
and $50 for a six-month renewal period.
A.
During construction. In connection with any construction, subsequent
to tree removal but prior to the issuance of a building permit or
start of construction, the developer shall be required to erect snow
fencing or other tree protective barriers acceptable to the Department
of Code Enforcement. Such barriers shall be placed at least 10 feet
from the trunk of any tree and shall remain in place until the Department
of Code Enforcement authorizes the removal of the protection or after
issuance of a final certificate of occupancy. No equipment, chemicals,
soil deposits or construction materials shall be placed within any
area so protected by barriers. Nor shall any attachments or wires
be attached to any of said trees so protected. Any landscaping activities
subsequent to removal of barriers shall be accomplished with light
machinery or hand labor.
(1)
A description of the existing tree protective barrier shall be provided
on all permit and building applications. The protective barrier shall
be a minimum of four feet high.
(2)
The protective barrier shall be placed at the dripline of any tree
along the limit of clearing and around the entire tree dripline for
trees to remain undisturbed within the limit of clearing.
(3)
It shall be unlawful for any person in the construction of any structures
or other improvements to place solvents, material, construction machinery
or temporary soil deposits within the dripline.
(4)
Street right-of-way and utility easements shall be ribboned by placing
stakes a minimum of 50 feet apart and tying ribbon, plastic tape,
rope, etc., from stake to stake along the outside perimeters of such
areas to be cleared.
B.
No person shall:
(1)
Cut down, destroy or remove any tree except as permitted by this
article or allow or cause such cutting, destruction or removal.
(2)
Cause or allow any willful damage, injury or disfigurement of any
tree growing within the Borough. For purposes of this subsection,
the actions of any person shall be deemed willful if the damage, injury
or disfigurement of any tree is caused as a result of but not limited
to the following: cutting, gashing or slitting of any tree; pouring
any liquid or other material on any tree or on the nearby ground;
construction or placement of any nonporous material on the ground
around any tree so as to cut off air, light or water from the roots;
or placement or removal of any soil from within 15 feet of any tree;
or mounding mulch against the tree trunk.
C.
In the event that any tree to be saved in connection with construction
as set forth above or any tree planted in mitigation shall die within
two years after planting, it shall be replaced by the applicant or
property owner within six months.
Any tree removed pursuant to this chapter and having a DPM of
eight inches or greater shall be replaced, unless otherwise exempt,
by planting a replacement tree or making a payment in mitigation.
A.
Planting of replacement trees.
(1)
All replacement trees of whatever species shall have a DPM of not
less than two-inch caliper.
(2)
For any property for which tree replacement is required, trees shall
be replaced according to the following schedule:
[Amended 8-18-2020 by Ord. No. 20-2006]
(a)
For any residential property that is owner-occupied, trees shall
be replaced according to the following schedule:
[1]
For each tree removed that is eight inches DPM or greater but
less than 20 inches, replacement shall be by one replacement tree;
[2]
For each tree removed that is 20 inches DPM or greater but less
than 36 inches, replacement shall be by two replacement trees; and
[3]
For each tree removed that is 36 inches DPM or greater, replacement
shall be by three replacement trees.
(b)
For residential property that is not owner-occupied and for
any other property held for investment and for all commercial property,
trees shall be replaced according to the following schedule:
[1]
For each tree removed that is eight inches DPM or greater but
less than 20 inches, replacement shall be by two replacement trees;
[2]
For each tree removed that is 20 inches DPM or greater but less
than 36 inches, replacement shall be by four replacement trees; and
[3]
For each tree removed that is 36 inches DPM or greater, replacement
shall be by six replacement trees.
(3)
For all properties, a list showing species and sizes of all proposed
replacement trees shall be submitted to the Department of Code Enforcement
and/or the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment for review
and approval prior to the issuance of a tree removal permit. The Department
of Code Enforcement and/or the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment
shall obtain the written recommendations of STAC for such list.
(4)
In the event that the tree removal occurs in an area other than as permitted under § 388-8A, mitigation shall be required at a rate of two replacements for each tree removed in addition to any fines levied.
(5)
In the event that it is unknown how many trees were removed from
any given site, and removal took place without a tree permit issued
pursuant to this or the predecessor chapter, the number of trees requiring
mitigation shall be computed by the Code Enforcement Officer with
written recommendations from STAC (based on an average number of trees/lot
from comparable lots in the Borough).
(6)
Mitigation in any instance is not to be considered a penalty, but
rather an implementation of the purposes of this article. Mitigation
shall not be a substitute for, but shall be in addition to, any penalty
imposed for violation of the provisions of this article.
B.
For sites where trees (regardless of size) cover large portions of
the site, so that those portions may be considered woods or forest
or recovering woods or forest, the applicant shall prepare a reforestation
plan on other treeless open space to compensate for clearing of the
tree area with equal square-foot area of new plantings. If sufficient
suitable area is not available on site, the Department of Code Enforcement
or Planning Board, in consultation with the STAC, may require that
the compensating reforestation take place on municipally owned open
space.
C.
Reforestation. For sites where multiple trees (regardless of size)
cover large portions of the site, so that these portions may be considered
woods or forest or recovering woods or forest, that applicant shall
prepare a reforestation scheme on the other treeless open space to
compensate for clearing of the tree area with equal square-foot area
of new plantings. If sufficient suitable on-site area is not available,
the Department of Code Enforcement and/or Planning Board or Zoning
Board of Adjustment, in consultation with the STAC, may direct that
the compensating reforestation take place on municipally owned open
space. The reforestation plan shall be based on twenty-foot-by-twenty-foot
grid. Of this number of trees, 10% shall be balled and burlapped two-inch
to 2 1/2 inch caliper, 20% shall be balled and burlapped 1 3/4
inch by two inches' caliper, 30% shall be bare root 1 1/4 inch
by 1 1/2 inch caliper and 40% shall be bare root six-foot to
eight-foot tall whips. A mixture of trees indigenous to the area and
site shall be utilized. Proposed trees shall be planted in natural
groves and may be spaced five feet to 20 feet on center. The ground
shall be seeded with a meadow grass mixture approved by the STAC.
D.
Monetary mitigation. All replacement trees shall be planted on site
in accordance with the foregoing. Monetary mitigation shall be made
as a payment to the Tree Replacement Fund for owner-occupied residential
property at the rate of $600 for each unplanted replacement tree and
for residential properties that are not owner-occupied and for any
other property held for investment and for all commercial properties
in an amount equal to $850 for each unplanted replacement tree. Monetary
mitigation shall be required if:
[Amended 8-18-2020 by Ord. No. 20-2006; 11-21-2023 by Ord. No. 23-2078]
(1)
The applicant for any reason plants fewer than the number of required
replacement trees within the required six months of removal; or
(2)
The applicant determines that the site will not accommodate the total
number of required replacement trees and makes a monetary mitigation
payment for each replacement tree that will not be planted; or
(3)
A replacement tree dies within a year of planting and the applicant
determines not to plant a new replacement tree.
E.
All tree replacement requirements and/or fees as set forth in this
subsection shall be approved and/or paid prior to the issuance of
the tree removal permit by the Department of Code Enforcement in consultation
with DPW and/or the STAC.
A.
There is hereby established a Tree Replacement Fund to receive and
disburse replacement tree contributions under the supervision of the
Mayor and Council of the Borough with the advice of STAC. The Tree
Replacement Fund shall be the repository of all monies paid to the
Borough pursuant to this chapter and shall also accept contributions
for its purposes from private sources. All funds remitted to the Borough
shall be deposited and maintained in a separation designated bank
account.
B.
The primary purpose of said fund is to provide for the replacement,
planting and maintenance of trees and woody shrubs on public property
in the Borough of Highland Park (including groundcovers, grasses,
ferns, vines, and forbs when they are part of an ecological project
using native plants). Professional consultant fees for administrative
and/or consultant costs to implement the provisions of this chapter,
including but not limited to site inspections, processing of permits,
supervision of tree replacement, and enforcement of this chapter,
shall not exceed 30% of the fund, as determined on an annual basis
by the Borough Finance Director. Appropriations from the Tree Replacement
Fund shall be authorized by the Mayor and Council with the advice
of STAC in accordance with the Community Forestry Management Plan
of the Borough.
Whenever trees are replaced pursuant to this chapter, the applicant
shall post with the Borough Clerk a performance guaranty for one year
in the amount the applicant would otherwise pay to the Tree Replacement
Fund, but in no event to exceed the amount per tree specified herein.
The performance guaranty shall be either letter of credit, a cashier
checks or certified check made payable to the Borough or in the form
of a corporate surety performance bond issued by a New Jersey corporation.
No performance guaranty shall be released except on certification
of the Department of Code Enforcement with advice from DPW that the
replacement tree(s) remain healthy one year after planting. If they
are found at that time by DPW to be healthy and capable of surviving,
and other performance requirements have been met, then the Department
of Code Enforcement shall order the performance guaranty returned.
If any trees are not at that point healthy, the tree(s) shall be replaced,
or payment made to the Tree Replacement Fund for the value of the
tree removed.
Any person, firm, partnership, corporation, association or other
legal entity violating any of the provisions of this chapter may,
upon conviction of such violation, be punished by a fine not to exceed
$2,000, the maximum court fine permitted pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:49-5
for each offense, in addition to the required mitigation for each
tree illegally removed. Each illegally removed tree shall constitute
a separate offense.
