All applications to the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment for approval of a major subdivision, minor subdivision or site plan requiring tree removal shall include an application for a tree removal permit. All applications for demolition permits for the purpose of tearing down a house for reconstruction in the Borough shall also require a tree removal permit. Any residential, commercial, business or industrial lot owner wishing to remove trees upon said lot must comply with the §
229-8 of this chapter. The application shall be submitted to the Engineering Department for review and approval by the Borough Engineer or his/her designee. No tree that was planted or preserved as part of any landscape plan or in accordance with any subdivision or site plan approval shall be removed, except for such trees directed to be removed pursuant to §
229-5F through
I.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
BOARD
The Florham Park Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment.
CALIPER
The standard measure of tree size for trees to be newly planted.
The measurement is taken six inches above the ground for trees four
inches in diameter or less and 12 inches above the ground for trees
over four inches in diameter.
CLEAR-CUTTING
The removal of all standing trees on a lot or a portion of
a lot.
COMMUNITY FORESTRY MANAGEMENT PLAN
A plan developed by the Borough outlining the goals and objectives
for managing trees on municipal property with the intent of minimizing
liability to the municipality and maximizing the useful life of the
tree resource. The plan is approved by the New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection, Division of Parks and Forestry, New Jersey
Forest Service.
DIAMETER AT BREAST HEIGHT
The diameter of a tree measured 4 1/2 feet (forestry
method) above the ground level on the downhill side for existing trees.
"Diameter at breast height" may appear as the abbreviation "DBH" (diameter
breast height).
DRIPLINE
A limiting line established by a series of perpendicular
drop points marking the maximum radius of the crown of an existing
tree, but not less than six feet from the trunk, whichever is greater;
and within which no construction or disturbance shall occur.
REPLACEMENT TREE
A nursery-grown certified tree, properly balled, marked with
a durable label indicating genus, species and variety, and satisfying
the standards established for nursery stock and installation thereof,
as set forth by the American Association of Nurserymen.
SELECTIVE CUTTING
The removal of larger trees on an individual basis while
leaving trees of lesser size.
SILVICULTURE
The management of any wooded tract of land to ensure its
continued survival and welfare, whether for commercial or noncommercial
purposes, pursuant to a plan approved by the New Jersey Bureau of
Forestry.
THINNING
The removal of undesirable, competitive, diseased or damaged
trees so as to cultivate and improve the development of remaining
trees on the lot.
TREE
Any self-supporting woody plant, deciduous or coniferous,
which reaches a typical mature height of 12 feet or more at maturity
and has a typical DBH of four inches or greater.
TREE FUND
A fund established by the governing body for the administration
and promotion of tree resource sustainability projects and practices
which may be consistent with the Community Stewardship Incentive Program
as outlined within the New Jersey Shade Tree and Community Forestry
Assistance Act, P.L. 1996, c. 135.
TREE PLANTING PLAN
A specific plan adopted by the governing body for the location
and placement of trees on public property.
TREE REMOVAL PERMIT
A permit issued by the Borough Engineer, or his/her designee,
to remove or destroy a tree or trees.
WOODED ACRES PERMITTED FOR DEVELOPMENT
The wooded lands within a lot or tract which are not specifically
excluded from development by any federal, state, county or municipal
law or ordinance, deed restriction or covenant running with the lands.
For purposes of this chapter, those lands specifically eliminated
from consideration as wooded acres permitted for development include,
but are not limited to, wetlands as defined by N.J.S.A. 13:9B-1 et
seq.
With the exception of the exemptions set forth in §
229-5, no person shall cut or remove, or cause to be cut or removed, any existing tree with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of 10 inches or greater upon any lands within the Borough of Florham Park unless the cutting or removal can be accomplished in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
The following shall be exempt from this chapter:
A. Commercial nurseries and fruit orchards.
C. Residential lots that are located in the R-15 Zone where removal
is no more than three trees with a ten-inch DBH or less in any two-year
period.
D. Residential lots that are located in all other zones and are removing
no more than six trees with a ten-inch DBH or less in any two-year
period.
E. Any tree which is part of a cemetery.
F. Trees directed to be removed by municipal, county, state or federal
authority pursuant to law.
G. Removal of trees which are dead, dying or diseased, or trees which
have suffered damage, or any trees whose angle of growth makes them
a hazard to structures, roads, or human life. Dead or diseased trees
shall not be turned into mulch and applied to the site, but shall
be disposed of in a manner so as not to disease other trees on the
site.
H. Removal of trees which appear to cause structural damage to buildings
or foundations.
I. Any tree growing on or over a public right-of-way or public land.
J. Pruning or removal of trees within the right-or-way by utility companies
for maintenance of utility wires or pipelines and the pruning of trees
within sight easements.
K. Trees removed in conjunction with farmland greater than five acres in size that will be actively devoted primarily to agricultural uses and that yield a minimum annual income of $500 from said farming activities, except that where the owner desires to remove any trees for the purpose of expanding farmlands, an inventory of trees to be removed, identified by size, species, and common name shall be prepared and filed with the Engineering Department prior to any tree removal. In the event the expanded farmlands are not actively devoted primarily to farming activities for a period of seven years following tree removal, the tree replacement provisions contained in §
229-7 shall apply.
L. Those projects which have received major subdivision or site plan approval prior to the effective date of this chapter and amended major subdivision and site plans shall be exempt from the provisions of §
229-6, but must still apply for a tree removal permit prior to cutting pursuant to §
229-8.
Each application to the Planning Board for approval of a major
or minor subdivision or a site plan that requires the removal of trees
shall include an application for a tree removal permit. The application
and development proposal shall conform to the following provisions:
A. Application form. The application form may be obtained from the Construction
Office and shall include the following information:
(1) The name and address (street, lot and block) of the owner of the
premises and status of legal entity (individual, partnership, corporation
of this or any other state, etc.);
(2) A description of the premises where removal is to take place, including
lot and block numbers, and street address as assigned;
(3) A list of all trees to be removed with a DBH equal to or greater
than six inches identified by size and species, including total number
of each species to be removed;
(4) The purpose for tree removal (new construction, street or roadway,
driveway, utility easement, recreation areas, parking lot, etc);
(5) Proof that there are no delinquent property taxes or assessments
due on the property for which the application is submitted; and
(6) Such other information as may be deemed necessary in order to effectively
process and decide such application.
(7) The
Tree Removal Service Company doing the work shall be included on the
permit application. Pursuant to N.J.S.A 45:15C-11 et seq., applicants
shall submit proof contractor's registration with the New Jersey Board
of Tree Experts.
[Added 5-28-2020 by Ord. No. 20-7]
B. Landscape plan or tree replacement and reforestation plan. The following information shall be provided on a landscape plan prepared by a registered landscape architect or registered professional engineer and submitted with the application for tree removal. Where replacement of trees is required, the plan must depict that tree replacement shall occur as provided in §
229-7. The landscape plan must be submitted prior to tree removal permit approval.
(1) Base information.
(a)
Location of existing tree canopy within the property boundaries.
(b)
Location of individual trees with a DBH equal to or greater
than six inches identified by size, species and common name within
the area of development/limit of disturbance.
(c)
Location of individual existing trees and their driplines noted
for preservation within the area of development/limit of disturbance
identified by size and species. Where clusters of trees exist on the
site or are contiguous with adjacent sites, fragmentation of the cluster
shall be avoided where possible.
(d)
Location of all required replacement trees.
(e)
Clear labeling of the area(s) intended for tree/vegetation removal.
(f)
Tree protection material details and limit of disturbance line.
(g)
Location of existing and proposed buildings/structures.
(h)
All bodies of water and wetlands, including water retention
and detention areas.
(i)
Location of all existing driveways and parking areas.
(2) Design requirements.
(a)
Only those trees necessary to permit the construction of buildings,
structures, streets, driveways, infrastructure and other authorized
improvements shall be removed.
(b)
No more than 60% of the existing tree canopy within the property
boundaries shall be removed. The location of the remaining 40% of
the tree canopy to be preserved shall be noted on the landscape plan.
Steep slope limits of disturbance shall supersede this section when
appropriate.
(c)
No more than 10% of existing trees with a DBH equal to or greater than 10 inches within the area of development/limit of disturbance shall be removed unless the applicant shall replant trees removed in accordance with §
229-7.
(d)
Input from a designated subcommittee of the Board and/or the
Environmental Commission shall be requested for recommended areas
of tree preservation.
(e)
Landscape standards may be waived by the Board when trees and/or
shrub masses are preserved and/or relocated on site that duplicate
or essentially duplicate the landscape requirements contained in this
section.
(f)
The appropriate reviewing authority shall have the option of
requiring a conservation easement to protect any or all trees or tree
canopy areas to remain on site.
C. Site protection.
(1) Tree protection measures and the limit of disturbance line shown
on the landscape plan shall be provided in the field with snow fencing
or other durable material and verified by the Borough Engineer or
other designated official prior to soil disturbance.
(2) Protective barriers shall not be supported by the plants they are
protecting, but shall be self-supporting. Barriers shall be a minimum
of four feet high and shall last until construction is complete.
(3) Chain-link fencing may be required for tree protection if warranted
by site conditions and relative rarity of the plant.
(4) Snow fencing used for tree protection shall be firmly secured along
the dripline, but shall be no less than six feet from the trunk.
(5) The grade of the land located within the dripline shall not be raised
or lowered more than six inches unless compensated by welling or retaining
wall methods; and in no event shall welling or retaining wall methods
be less than six feet from the trunk of a tree.
(6) No soil stockpiling, storage of building materials, construction
equipment or vehicles shall be permitted within the dripline or within
six feet of any remaining trees, whichever is greater.
(7) Any clearing within the dripline, or within six feet of the trunk
of a remaining tree, whichever is greater, shall be done by hand-operated
equipment.
(8) Where a tree that has been noted for preservation is severely damaged and unable to survive, tree replacement shall occur as provided in §
229-7.
In accordance with the design requirements provided in this
chapter, unless otherwise indicated herein, a tree removal permit
may only be granted for the following reasons and under the following
terms and conditions:
A. Where the area proposed for tree removal is to be occupied by a building
or other structure; a street or roadway; a driveway; a parking area;
a patio; a swimming pool; a recreation area; a power, drainage, sewerage
or any other utility line, easement, or right-of-way; or where the
area of tree removal is 20 feet or less from either side of or around
the perimeter of any of the foregoing, whichever is applicable.
B. In areas proposed for tree removal which are not to be occupied by any of the uses or facilities set forth in Subsection
A of this section, the Borough Engineer or his/her designee shall assess the following:
(1) That the continued presence of such tree or trees is likely to cause
danger to persons or property upon the property for which removal
is sought, or upon adjoining or nearby property.
(2) That the area where such tree or trees are located has a cut, depression
or fill of land, or the topography of the land is of such a character
as to be injurious or dangerous to such tree or trees, or to a tree
or trees located nearby.
(3) That the removal of trees is for the purpose of conducting forestry
activities, which activities include, but are not limited to, the
harvesting of trees in accordance with a forest management plan and
the thinning out of a heavily wooded area, with some trees to be removed
and other trees to remain.
C. Upon an express finding by the Borough Engineer or his/her designee
that the proposed tree removal will not result in or cause, increase
or aggravate any or all of the following conditions: impaired growth
or development of remaining trees or shrubs on the property of the
applicant or upon adjacent property, soil erosion, sedimentation and
dust, drainage or sewerage problems, dangerous or hazardous conditions,
and depression in the land value of the subject property and properties
in the neighboring area.
D. No more than 60% of the existing tree canopy within the property boundaries shall be removed. The location of the remaining 40% of the tree canopy to be preserved shall be noted on the permit for preservation. If the 60% tree canopy removal area is exceeded due to the required removal of dead or hazardous trees, or live trees meeting the criteria in §
229-8F, then a replacement tree value will be assigned based upon the DBH of said removed live, dead, or hazardous trees in accordance with the Tree Replacement Schedule in §
229-7C.
[Added 5-28-2020 by Ord. No. 20-7]
E. The Borough Engineer or his/her designee shall have the power to
affix reasonable conditions to the granting of the permit for the
removal of trees. If the applicant does not agree with the existing
tree assessment or any conditions of the permit by the Borough Engineer
or his/her designee, the applicant may obtain the services of a certified
tree expert or arborist, at the applicant's cost, to prepare a report
for the Borough Engineer or his/her designee for reconsideration.
Whenever an application for tree removal is granted under the
terms and conditions of this chapter, the following protective measures
shall be observed:
A. No material or temporary soil deposits shall be placed within the
dripline of any existing tree to be preserved.
B. Except while engaged in tree removal, no equipment shall be operated
within six feet of any tree protected by this chapter, nor shall such
equipment be operated at any time in such a manner as to break, tear,
bruise, decorticate or otherwise injure any living or dormant tree.
Permits granted for the removal of trees under the terms and
conditions of this chapter shall run with the land and shall remain
in force and effect for the following periods of time, and not thereafter.
Once the permit has expired, a new application must be submitted for
review and a new permit issued.
A. If granted for a lot or parcel of land for which no building permit
is required: one year from the date of issuance.
B. If granted for a lot or parcel of land for which a building permit
is required, but for which no site plan approval is required by the
Planning Board: until expiration of the building permit granted with
such tree removal permit.
C. If granted for a lot or parcel of land for which site plan approval
from the Planning Board is required as a condition precedent to obtaining
a building permit: until expiration of the site plan approval, or
expiration of the building permit issued after such site plan approval.
D. If granted for a lot or parcel of land for which minor subdivision
is sought: one year from the date of granting such minor subdivision.
E. If granted for a lot or parcel of land for which preliminary approval
of a major subdivision is sought: until expiration of such approval.
[Amended 5-28-2020 by Ord. No. 20-7]
The Borough Engineer, Construction Official or any other authorized Borough official, may, in the event of a violation hereunder or a failure to comply with the requirements of any permit, revoke any tree removal permit or permits granted hereunder, any building permit or permits, any certificate or certificates of occupancy, as the case may be, or issue such stop-work order or orders, as the case may be, or seek to enjoin any such failure or violation through a court of competent jurisdiction or take such other steps as may be authorized and permitted by law to correct such violation or enforce implementation of the terms and conditions of this chapter. In addition to the foregoing civil remedies, any violation of this chapter may be the subject of the penalties and procedures set forth in §
1-16, entitled "General penalty" of the Code of Borough of Florham Park. In addition to the penalties set forth therein, each tree that is improperly or illegally removed in violation of this chapter shall constitute a separate and distinct violation, and the penalty for such removal shall be $3,000 per tree.