[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough
of Spring Lake as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted
where applicable.]
[Adopted by Ord. No. 33-2000 (§ 10-5 of the Revised General Ordinances), as amended
through Ord. No. 24-2002; amended
in its entirety 5-9-2017 by Ord.
No. 2017-004 12-19-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-009]
The Borough Council of the Borough of Spring Lake finds that
the preservation, maintenance, protection and planting of trees aids
in the stabilization of soil by the prevention of erosion and sedimentation;
reduces stormwater runoff and the potential damage it may create;
aids in the removal of pollutants; provides protection against severe
weather; aids in the control of drainage and restoration of denuded
soil subsequent to construction or grading; provides a haven for birds
and other wildlife and otherwise enhances the environment; protects
and increases property values; preserves and enhances the Borough's
physical and aesthetic appearance; and generally protects the public
health and safety, as well as the general welfare. It is also believed
that the use of deciduous street trees along the rights-of-way, as
set forth below, will encourage the development of a shade canopy
of tree branches over the streets within the Borough thus enhancing
the beauty of the area.
The following definitions shall apply to this article:
An individual licensed pursuant to N.J.S.A. 45:15C-17 and
appointed by the Mayor and Council for the purpose of assisting with
enforcing the terms of this article.
A small tree at least six feet or more at mature height (e.g.,
birch, dogwood, Japanese maple, cherry, crabapple, magnolia, Bradford
pear, willow).
That area between the sidewalk and the curbing along the
street cartways.
A combination of materials to form a structure for occupancy,
use or ornamentation installed on a parcel of land.
A deciduous or evergreen tree with an anticipated mature
height of 20 feet or more (e.g., oaks, maples, London Planes, elms,
spruce, pine, fir, or hemlock).
No person shall cut down or remove any ornamental tree of a
diameter of three inches or more measured at a height of four feet
above the ground, nor any other tree of a diameter of six inches or
more measured at a height of 4 1/2 feet above the ground within
the right-of-way without a tree removal permit. Proper removal of
the tree will include removal of the entire stump.
A.
Application for a tree removal permit shall be made by submission
of the following:
(1)
The application form provided by the Borough containing the following
information:
(2)
The name and address of the applicant and owner, if not the same
person.
(3)
The street address and tax lot and block of the property in question.
(4)
The number of trees to be removed.
(5)
If the applicant is not the owner, then the owner's written consent
which must be attached to the application.
(6)
The reason(s) for removing the trees.
(7)
A tree mitigation plan (if mitigation is required pursuant to § 356-5C hereof) to be reviewed and approved by the Code Enforcement Officer. The plan shall consist of a diagram showing the location of all trees to be planted, the species of such trees and their diameter or size as required.
(8)
A fee of $75 for processing a tree removal permit.
B.
The applicant shall place a one-inch wide yellow ribbon to be provided
by the Borough around the trunk of each tree to be removed at a height
of 4 1/2 feet (or three feet for ornamental trees) above the
ground so that the proposed tree removal may be inspected in the field.
A.
Upon receipt of an application for cutting or removal of trees or
ornamental trees, the Code Enforcement Officer shall inspect the site
on which the trees sought to be cut or removed including entire root
structure are located and shall evaluate the drainage and other physical
conditions existing on the subject property and adjoining properties.
The Code Enforcement Officer may consult with the Licensed Tree Expert
with regard to the application and any related issue. The Code Enforcement
Officer shall consider the following factors in deciding whether to
issue such permit:
(1)
Whether the proposed cutting or removal would change existing drainage
patterns.
(2)
Whether the proposed removal would allow soil erosion or increase
dust.
(3)
Whether the proposed removal would constitute a significant change
in the screening between existing or proposed buildings on contiguous
lots or the wooded aspect of the lot as viewed from the adjacent public
road.
(4)
Whether the proposed removal would constitute a horticulturally advantageous
removal of dead or diseased trees.
(5)
The overall effect of removal of such tree(s) on the physical and
aesthetic value of the property and the neighborhood.
(6)
Whether the area where such tree(s) are located will be occupied
by a driveway, a roadway, or a sewer line, or whether such area is
within 15 feet of any of the foregoing.
(7)
Whether the proposed removal would remediate a safety hazard to persons
or structures.
B.
Permission will be granted for the removal of the following trees,
without mitigation.
C.
Mitigation plan.
(1)
With respect to the removal of all other trees, not described in Subsection B above, the Code Enforcement Officer shall require a mitigation plan (i.e., the planting of replacement trees at other locations on the subject right-of-way or elsewhere within the Borough). The purpose of such plan shall be the ultimate replacement on the property of the trees being removed, giving due consideration to a reasonable maturity period for new plantings.
(2)
Trees to be planted along the road right-of-way shall be balled or
burlapped and not less than 2 1/2 inches in caliper, measured
one foot above the ball, nor less than 15 feet high. They must be
well branched, the branches to start not less than six feet from the
crown of the root system. The leader branch for each specimen tree
shall be intact at the time of delivery and planting.
(3)
In general, excavation for planting shall be large enough to accommodate
the natural spread of the root system and at least one foot deeper
and two feet wider than the ball of earth supplied with the tree.
The pit shall be rock-free and refilled with one part topsoil, one
part clean fill and one part humus and the parent soil discarded.
Hardpan shall be loosened an additional 12 inches from the bottom
and sides of the pit. Trees shall be adequately fertilized and watered
at the time of planting and mulched with three inches of approved
mulch immediately after planting.
(4)
Trees shall be staked and guyed immediately after planting. Stakes
shall be of cedar or oak, eight feet long and no less than two inches
in diameter. Trees shall be guyed to the stake using No. 10 wire covered
with rubber hose, or its equal. The wire shall be attached to the
stake in such a manner that it will not slip or come in contact with
the tree trunk. The trunk of the tree may be protected by tree wrapping
paper. The stake shall remain until directed by the Code Enforcement
Officer.
(5)
The owner shall be required to see that the new planting is adequately
watered during the first year of its existence.
(6)
Any tree improperly planted or not meeting these specifications will
be subject to removal. Any tree that does not survive, or is in an
unhealthy condition at the end of one year shall be replaced within
60 days following the written request for such replacement, or within
a more extended period as may be specified.
(7)
The only trees permitted to be planted in the right-of-way are: Honey
Locust (Cultivars: Skyline, Halka and Shade Master); Linden (Species:
Little Leaf, Silver and American); London Plane (Cultivars: Bloodgood,
Yarwood and American Plane); Oak (Species: White and White Swamp);
Red Maple (Cultivars: October Glory, Red Sunset and Autumn Flame);
Zelkova (Cultivars: Green Vase and Village Green).
(8)
Trees may be planted in the Fall from October 1st through December
31st and in the Spring between March 1st through May 31st.
D.
Conflict with other laws. Notwithstanding anything in this section to the contrary, no tree removal shall be permitted where prohibited by the Chapter 225, Land Development (e.g., buffer zones and landscaping provisions) or any other municipal, state or federal statute, ordinance or regulation.
E.
Action. The Borough Code Enforcement Officer must respond to all
applications within 15 business days.
F.
Hardship appeal. In the event that an applicant believes the standards set forth in Subsection A above constitute a hardship which prohibits a reasonable use of the property in question, the applicant may appeal to the Planning Board of the Borough of Spring Lake following the established rules of application for such Board.
A.
In connection with construction, subsequent to any necessary tree
removal but prior to the issuance of a building permit or start of
construction, snow fencing or other protective barrier acceptable
to the official charged with the administration and enforcement of
this article shall be placed around trees that are not to be removed.
The protective barriers shall be placed at least five feet from the
trunk 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.
B.
No person shall:
(1)
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 the result of but not limited to the following: cutting, gashing or slitting of any tree; or on the nearby ground, the 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 five feet of any tree or ornamental tree as defined in § 356-2 above.
This article shall be administered and enforced by the Code
Enforcement Officer.
Any person aggrieved by the decision of the official charged with the administration and enforcement of this article shall have the right, within ten days of the issuance of any decision by such official, to appeal to the Planning Board for approval of an alternate plan, and such Board shall take action as it deems necessary in the matter. In the event of such an appeal, the procedures set forth with reference of applications based on hardship contained in § 356-5F of this article shall apply.
Any person who violates any provision of this article shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished as provided in Chapter I, Article II, General Penalty, and each tree removed or damaged in violation of this article shall be deemed a separate offense.
[Adopted 12-16-2003 by Ord. No. 22-2003; amended 3-23-2004 by Ord. No. 8-2004; 4-20-2004 by Ord. No. 13-2004; amended in entirety 5-9-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-004]
The purpose of this article is to control and regulate the indiscriminate
or excessive removal, large-scale clear-cutting and destruction of
trees and to control, regulate and prevent conditions which cause
an increase in stormwater runoff, sedimentation, soil erosion, loss
of wildlife habitat, air or noise pollution or inhibit aquifer recharge
or impair the ambiance or physical appearance of a neighborhood. The
regulations contained in this article are designed to limit such adverse
impact while not interfering with the right of a Borough property
owner to appropriately remove trees in accordance with the regulations
set forth herein below.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
following definitions:
A method of excavation in which the subject tree is removed
along with soil surrounding its roots and such soil and roots are
wrapped and laced.
The diameter in inches of a tree at the height of an adult's
breast or 54 inches above the actual ground level,
A removal which is necessitated by any event, whether natural
or man-made, which requires the immediate removal of a regulated tree
because it has been determined that such tree presents an immediate
hazard to the public's safety. Such determination shall be made by
the Code Enforcement Officer or other designee, as authorized by the
Borough Administrator.
The Code Enforcement Officer.
[Amended 12-19-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-009]
An individual licensed pursuant to N.J.S.A. 45:15C-17 and
appointed by the Mayor and Council for the purpose of assisting with
enforcing the terms of this article.
[Added 12-19-2017 by Ord.
No. 2017-009]
An entity whose existence is recognized by law, including
but not limited to, any individual, partnership, corporation (for-profit,
nonprofit, or municipal and its agencies), firm, association or any
combination of the foregoing.
Any undertaking whatsoever which would involve potential
damage to or which may result in the planned or unplanned removal
of regulated trees.
Any activity that results in cutting down completely or substantially
eliminating a living regulated tree within the Borough.
A plan developed in accordance with and conforming to provisions
of this article which as been approved by the Enforcement Officer.
A nursery-grown certified, balled and burlapped tree bearing
a durable label upon which the following data is set forth: genus,
species, variety, watering and fertilization requirements.
A plan as defined by Chapter 225, Land Development.
Any living woody perennial plant having a trunk diameter
of at least four inches measured at 54 inches above the natural ground
level.
Land where no principal structure currently exists or where
the principal structure is demolished pursuant to a demolition permit.
[Amended 12-19-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-009]
A.
The terms and provisions of this article shall apply to real property,
in all cases of vacant lots upon which new construction will take
place and/or cases of demolition of existing principal structures.
Nothing contained herein is intended to restrict a property owner's
right to remove trees on his own property where no building permit
for a new or replacement principal structure is required.
B.
Unless specifically exempted herein, it shall be unlawful for any person to remove or cause to be removed any tree, under the circumstances set forth in Subsection A above, with the trunk diameter of four inches or more DBH (54 inches above the actual ground level) without first having obtained a tree removal project permit to do so as provided herein. Tree removal project permits shall be issued by the Enforcement Officer or his/her designee.
A.
Any person wishing to obtain a permit to remove one or more trees or clear land as required under the provisions of this article shall make application to the Enforcement Officer by filing a written application and paying such fee as set forth in § 356-18 of this article. Where an application, as required by this article, has been submitted, no permit shall be issued until a site plan, survey or plot plan of the lot or parcel has been reviewed and a tree replacement plan approved.
B.
Where an application is made in connection with the construction
of a new principal structure, no building permit shall be issued until
the tree removal project permit has been granted.
C.
The Borough Enforcement Official and, if requested, the Licensed
Tree Expert shall review the application to determine whether such
project complies with this article and shall provide written notice
to the applicant indicating one of the following:
D.
The Borough Enforcement Officer shall make the foregoing determination
and prepare and furnish the foregoing notices within 20 days following
submission of a completed application.
E.
Failure of the Enforcement Officer to make said determination within
such twenty-day period or within any extension of time granted by
the applicant shall constitute and have the same effect as an approval,
F.
Any proposed change in the approved project shall be submitted to
the Borough Enforcement Officer for approval in the same manner as
an original application for approval of a project.
G.
The applicant shall maintain a copy of the approved project at the
project location that shall be available for inspection.
[Amended 12-19-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-009]
Upon receiving an application for tree removal the Borough Enforcement
Officer shall issue a permit, if the Enforcement Officer determines
that one or more of the following criteria is met:
A.
The tree is located in an area where a principal structure will be
placed according to an approved site plan and the tree cannot be relocated
on the site because of age, type of size of tree.
B.
The tree is dead, diseased, injured, in danger of falling, or is
too close to existing or proposed structure(s) thereby creating an
unsafe situation.
A.
The contents of the tree removal project permit applications shall
be as follows:
(1)
The name and address of the owner of the land.
(2)
Description of land in question including block and lot numbers of
the land a shown on the current Tax Map of the Borough of Spring Lake.
(3)
The purpose or reason for removing the tree(s);
(4)
The quantity, caliper size and species of tree(s) to be removed.
In the case of the removal of trees with DBH greater than 24 inches
the plan shall include an analysis of design or layout alternatives;
(5)
The proposed dates for commencement and completion of the project;
(6)
Name and address of the person having express charge, supervision,
and/or control of the proposed removal;
(8)
A statement granting permission to Borough officials or their employees
to enter the premises to survey and inspect the project as work progresses;
and
(9)
A tree replacement plan that includes location, quantity, caliper
size and species of tree(s) to be replanted.
B.
Application fees. An application for tree removal project permit
shall be accompanied by an application fee of $75.
[Amended 4-20-2004 by Ord. No. 14-2004; 12-19-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-009]
C.
Licensed Tree Expert fees. In the event that it is necessary for
the Licensed Tree Expert to assist in the review or enforcement of
the terms and conditions of this article, the said expert shall be
compensated by the owner or contractor for the cost of the services
provided, not to exceed $250. Said payment will be made to the Borough
of Spring Lake, who shall compensate the expert.
[Added 4-20-2004 by Ord.
No. 14-2004; amended 12-19-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-009]
Within 10 days of receipt of decision of the Enforcement Officer,
or his/her designee, which denies the approval for the tree removal
or otherwise destruction, the applicant may appeal in writing to the
governing body.
A tree replacement plan shall consist of the following:
A.
A site plan, survey or plot plan of one inch equals 20 feet or less,
showing the location of existing trees and clearly marked property
boundaries. There shall be a list identifying the number and species
of trees inventoried. The site plan shall include the lot and block
numbers, the street address if assigned and a certification that it
complies with the requirements of this article.
B.
The locations on the lot where tree removal is to take place.
C.
The total square footage of the lot.
D.
The total number by species of existing trees with a DBH of four
inches or greater on the lot.
E.
The total number by species of trees with a DBH of four inches or
greater which are to be removed.
F.
A planting detail for replacement trees.
G.
All specific plans for replacement of removed trees shall be based
on the following requirements:
(1)
The replacement tree shall be planted on the property where the trees
were removed or in a location designated by the Enforcement Official.
(2)
Replacement tree, including the size number of trees, shall be planted
in accordance with the following table:
|
Size of Tree Removed
(inches DBH)
|
Number of Replacement Trees With at Least 2 1/2 inches
DBH
|
|---|---|
|
4 but not more than 6
|
1
|
|
More than 6 but less than 10
|
2
|
|
More than 10 but less than 16
|
3
|
|
More than 16
|
4
|
The replacement value of all trees to be removed, where replacement
trees are required by this article, shall be calculated as follows:
A.
Trees to be removed,
|
Size/ DBH
|
Replacement Tree Value
|
|---|---|
|
Greater than 4 inches up to 6 inches
|
$400
|
|
Greater than 6 inches up to 10 inches
|
$800
|
|
Greater than 10 inches up to 16 inches
|
$1,200
|
|
Greater than 16 inches
|
$1,500
|
B.
Dead and diseased trees as determined by the Borough Enforcement
Officer shall not be included as trees to be replaced.
C.
The applicant may elect, in lieu of planting replacement trees, to pay to the municipality a sum of money as set forth in Subsection A for each tree required to be planted pursuant to this subsection for the purpose of planting shade trees elsewhere in the Borough. Said funds shall be deposited into the Tree Replacement Fund.
Where an applicant chooses to make a contribution to the Tree Replacement Fund in lieu of physically replacing the trees on said property as provided in § 356-14C, the amount of said contribution shall be as set forth in § 356-18. The Tree Replacement Fund shall be in a separate fund with the dedicated purpose of tree replacement and maintenance within the Borough of Spring Lake.
A.
In the event that it is unknown how many trees were removed from
any given site, and removal took place without a tree removal permit
issued pursuant to this article, the number of trees requiring mitigation
shall be computed by assuming 10 trees greater than 12 inches DBH
unless adequate proof is provided to the Borough Enforcement Officer,
