[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Maplewood 1-19-2021 by Ord. No. 3013-21. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A. 
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
SIGHT TRIANGLE
A triangle at an intersection formed by two roads where rights-of-way and a third line, which must be kept clear of obstructions so that vehicles or pedestrians in one road can see vehicles approaching in the other road.
B. 
Sight triangles shall be in conformity with the standards set forth by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials ("AASHTO"), a policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets 2011 6th Edition, Section 9.5, Sight Distance, as amended and adopted by the Township Engineer.
From the date of adoption of this chapter, no property owner owning property at the intersection of two or more streets may construct a wall, fence, or other structure nor plant a hedge, shrub, bush, tree or other planting located within the sight triangle at a height greater than 42 inches as measured from the ground immediately adjacent to the proposed structure or planting.
A. 
All property owners at the intersection of two or more streets shall maintain all plants, shrubs, bushes or other plantings at a height no greater than 42 inches as measured from the ground immediately adjacent to the planting. Additionally, all trees located within the sight triangle shall be kept pruned so that all branches are at least 10 feet from the ground as measured from the base of the tree.
B. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any plants, trees, shrubs, bushes or other plantings in place at the time of the passage of this chapter may be maintained at their existing height but shall not be permitted to exceed the existing height.
Enforcement shall be conducted by the Code Enforcement Officers or their designees of the Township of Maplewood.
A. 
Upon the determination by a Code Enforcement Officer of the Township of a violation of this chapter, the Code Enforcement Officer shall issue a notice of violation to the property owner requiring them to, in the case of a structure, remove the structure if in violation of the sight triangle requirements and, with regard to plantings, to either trim or cut the plantings such that they are in compliance with the requirements of this chapter. The property owner shall be given 14 days to comply with the notice of violation.
B. 
Should the property owner fail to comply with requirements of the notice of violation within the time prescribed, the property owner will be subject to receiving a summons, as set forth herein.
A property owner who has been issued and failed to comply with a notice of violation may receive a summons. A first violation shall subject the property owner to a fine of $500 per day, a second violation shall subject the property owner to a fine of $1,000 per day, and a third or subsequent violation shall subject the property owner to a fine of $2,000 per day for each such violation. Every day subsequent to the issuance of a summons shall subject the property owner to a separate violation.
If any section, paragraph, subparagraph, clause or provision of this chapter shall be adjudged invalid, such adjudication shall apply only to the specific section, paragraph, subparagraph, clause or provision so adjudged, and the remainder of the chapter shall be deemed valid and effective.