A.Topsoil preservation. No topsoil shall be removed from the site or used as fill. Topsoil moved during the course of construction shall be redistributed on all regraded surfaces so as to provide at least six (6) inches of even cover to all disturbed areas of the development and shall be stabilized by seeding or planting. Additional topsoil shall be provided as directed by the Township Engineer.

B. Removal of debris. All stumps and other tree parts, litter, brush, weeds, excess or scrap building materials, or other debris shall be removed from the site and disposed of in accordance with the law. No tree stumps, portions of tree trunks or limbs shall be buried anywhere in the development. All dead or dying trees, either standing or fallen, shall be removed from the site if not restricted by conservation easements.

C. Slope plantings. The area of all cuts and fills and/or terraces shall be landscaped to prevent erosion, and all roadway slopes steeper than one (1) foot vertically to three (3) feet horizontally shall be planted with ground covers appropriate for the purpose and soil conditions, water availability and environment.

D. Additional landscaping. In residential developments, besides the required screening and street trees, additional plantings or landscaping elements may be required throughout the subdivision where necessary for climate control, privacy, or for aesthetic reasons in accordance with a planting plan approved by the appropriate Board and - taking into consideration cost constraints. In nonresidential developments, all areas of the site not occupied by buildings and required improvements shall be landscaped by the planting of grass or other ground cover, shrubs, trees, or other landscape material as part of a site plan approved by the appropriate Board.

E. Plant species. The plant species selected shall be hardy for the particular climatic zone in which the development is located and appropriate in terms of function and size.

F. Sight Triangles. Landscaping within sight triangles shall not exceed a mature height of 30 inches. Shade trees shall be permitted within site triangles but located 40 feet from the intersecting curbline and pruned up to a seven (7) foot branching height above grade.

G. Landscaped Berms. The minimum top width of a landscaped berm shall be four (4) feet.

H. Any area not used for buildings, structures or paved areas shall be planted with an all-season ground cover or lawn and other landscape materials as approved by the appropriate Board.

A.Street trees shall be required for any subdivision, site plan or expansion of existing uses.

B. Location. Street trees (2 1/2-3" caliper) shall be installed within the right-of way between the sidewalk and curb on both sides of all streets. The spacing of street trees shall be no farther than 40 feet on center.

C. The street lawn (area between sidewalk and curb) shall be tilled to a minimum depth of 18 inches. Tyar biobarriers or approved equivalent shall be installed along the sidewalk face for a distance of 15 feet to prevent sidewalk upheaval by tree roots.

D. Street tree type. Tree type may vary depending on the overall effect desired. Depending upon the length of the road, more than one type shall be provided to create biodiversity and reduce the problems associated with a monoculture planting.

E. Trees shall be planted in groupings of similar varieties. Trees of similar form, height, and character along a roadway shall be used to promote uniformity and allow for a smooth visual transition between species.

F. Tree selection shall be based upon on-site conditions and tree suitability to those conditions.

A.Deciduous shade trees shall have at least a 2 1/2 to 3 inch caliper measured 6 inches above the ground surface and a straight central leader up to a 7 foot height at the time of installation. Size of evergreens and shrubs shall be allowed to vary depending on setting and type of shrub however, no evergreen tree shall be less than five (5) feet high. Only plant materials following the standards established by the American Association of Nurserymen shall be accepted. Trees shall be nursery grown, free of disease, substantially uniform in size and shape, and have straight trunks.

B. Trees shall be properly planted and firmly supported with two or three guy wires attached to stakes. Pieces of rubber hose shall be used under the wires where they are attached to the trees. Wires and stakes shall be removed by the applicant after one year.

C. Provisions shall be made to accommodate the watering of landscaping through an irrigation system and/or hose bibs adequate to service the site. Dead or dying trees shall be replaced by the applicant during the planting season.

D. All plant material shall be guaranteed by the landscape contractor for a minimum period of one year to replace dead or dying plants.

A.Landscaped buffers are areas provided to create a year-round visual screen and minimize adverse impacts or nuisances on a site from adjacent properties and streets. Buffering may consist of fencing, evergreens, shade trees, ornamental trees, shrubs, berms, boulders, mounds, or combinations thereof to achieve the stated objectives.

B. Where required, buffers shall be measured from property lines and street right-of ways. Compliance shall be determined by the Planning Board or Zoning Board at the time of site plan and subdivision review.

C. Buffers shall be maintained in perpetuity in accordance with the site plan approval.

A.Transition buffers shall be required when any nonresidential use abuts a residential zone and when any multi-family use abuts a single family zone. The buffer shall be placed within the nonresidential and multi-family lot along the property line. The location may be altered if approved by the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment.

1.A continuous landscape open space strip of not less than 25 feet in width shall be provided, unless a buffer of greater width is required elsewhere in this Ordinance. The transition buffer shall be used for no purpose other than landscaping. Detention basins and utility easements are specifically prohibited within the transition buffer unless the utility easement crossing is perpendicular to the buffer. A fence or wall is permitted within the transition buffer but can not exceed a six (6) foot height in the side and rear yard and not exceed a four (4) foot height in the front yard.

2. The transition buffer shall be planted with dense masses and groupings of shade trees, ornamental trees, evergreen trees and shrubs. No less than seventy-five (75) percent of the buffer length shall be evergreen trees installed at a minimum height of six (6) feet. Based upon the intensity of the nonresidential use, the Board may require additional evergreens installed at an increased height or, alternately, a fence or wall.

3. Existing vegetation within the transition buffer shall be preserved, and supplemented with shade tolerant naturalistic massed plantings where necessary to complete screening of adjoining land uses.

4. No' buildings, structures, accessory structures, trash enclosures parking, driveways, or storage of materials shall be permitted within the transition buffer. Buffer areas shall be maintained and kept free of all debris and rubbish.

A.Reverse frontage buffers shall be required where any nonresidential or residential structure and/or lots back onto any street. The buffer shall be situated adjacent to the right-of-way line. The following landscape treatments shall be provided unless otherwise approved by the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment.

1. A continuous landscape open space strip of not less than 20 feet in width shall be provided. The reverse frontage buffer shall be used for no purpose other than landscaping and may include a wall or fence not to exceed four (4) feet in height.

2. The buffer shall be planted with masses and groupings of shade trees, ornamental trees evergreen trees and shrubs in a free form manner to provide contrast and create a more natural effect. No less than fifty (50) percent of the buffer length shall be evergreen with a minimum installed height of six (6) feet.

3. Existing vegetation within the landscape buffer shall be preserved and supplemented with shade tolerant naturalistic massed plantings where necessary to complete screening of residences. Meander any required sidewalks, as necessary, to preserve existing trees.

4. Street trees shall be planted as required.

5. No buildings, structures, storage of materials, or parking shall be permitted within the buffer area. Buffer areas shall be maintained and kept free of all debris and rubbish.

A.Except for detached single-family and two family dwelling units, a screen planting, berm, fence, wall or combination thereof, no less than 3 feet in height, shall be provided between the off-street parking areas (including drive-thru lanes and interior drives running parallel to other roads) and any lot line or street line except where a building intervenes. Shrubs used for screening shall be planted in a staggered double row and installed with a minimum height of 24 to 30 inches.

B. All loading areas shall be landscaped and screened sufficiently to obscure the view of parked delivery vehicles, loading platforms and loading activities from any lot line or street line throughout the year. Such screening shall be an extension of the building, a fence, berm, wall, planting or combination thereof and shall not be less than six (6) feet in height.

C. In parking lots, at least five (5) percent of the total square footage of interior parking area, including accessways, shall be landscaped with shrub plantings. Such landscaped areas shall be distributed throughout the parking area in order to break the view of parked cars in a manner not impairing visibility. In parking lots containing more than 100 vehicles, at least eight (8) percent of the interior parking area shall be landscaped.

D. One (1) shade tree measuring a minimum of 2 1/2 to 3 inch caliper shall be provided in the vicinity of the parking lot for every four (4) parking spaces. This provision excludes trees required for landscape buffers or street tree planting.

E. Nine (9) feet wide curbed planting islands shall be placed at the end of each parking bay. Each end island abutting a parking stall shall contain a 2 1/2" to 3" caliper shade tree.

F. Nine (9) feet wide curbed planting islands shall be required to separate any parking bay exceeding twenty (20) spaces in a row. At the Board's discretion, seven (7) feet by seven (7) feet curbed planting diamonds containing shade trees may be considered if the overall effect exceeds that which would be created by standard planting islands.

G. Where practical, parking lots in excess of 100 vehicles shall be subdivided into modules utilizing continuous curbed planting islands of a minimum ten (10) feet width located perpendicular to the parking stalls.

H. Landscaping within parking lots shall not obstruct the view of approaching vehicles. Shrubs within sight lines shall not exceed a mature height of thirty (30) inches.

1. Parking areas shall be partially screened from interior drives using evergreen, shade trees, flowering trees and shrubs to create a continuous landscape strip.

J. Interior parking layout and landscaping shall, insofar as possible, be used to delineate and guide major traffic movement within the parking area so as to prevent cross-space driving.

K.The view of utility areas, mechanical equipment, transformers and meters shall be screened from adjoining lots and street lines with landscaping. Open access to the equipment shall be maintained.

L. Trash and recycling containers shall be screened from view from any tot fine or street line with six (6) foot high gated wood fence and landscaping or six (6) foot high gated decorative masonry wall and landscaping.

M. Landscaping shall be provided to accent driveway openings.

A.Stormwater detention basins and retention basins shall be designed to blend into the surrounding landscape.

B. The perimeter of detention and retention basins shall be landscaped with clusters of plants, including shade trees in a free form manner with open areas of lawn. Access for maintenance and emergency services shall be maintained.

C. Shade trees (minimum 2 - 2 1/2 inch caliper) shall be located within the upper drier portion of detention basins.

D. The view of drainage structures such as headwalls, outlet structures, culverts, biofilters, etc. shall be softened with wet-site tolerant plants.

E. Outlet structures and headwalls shall be provided with a stone veneer when clearly visible from adjoining properties and/or streets within the development.

F. The use of retaining walls within stormwater basins are encouraged when located on wooded property in order to increase volume and decrease disturbance to existing vegetation.

G. Landscaping located on detention and retention basin emergency overflow berms are prohibited unless approved by the Township Engineer.

H. Water aerators shall be provided within retention basins.

A.Fences and walls shall be erected where required for privacy, screening, separation, security or to serve other necessary and reasonable functions. The design and material used shall be functional and compatible with existing and proposed site architecture. No fence or wall shall be constructed or installed so as to constitute a hazard to traffic or safety.

B. No fence or wall which exceeds four (4) feet in height shall be constructed or maintained between the road right-of-way line and the front foundation wall of the principal building. In the case of corner lots, such restrictions shall apply to both street frontages. No fence or wall shall exceed six (6) feet in height within the side or rear yards.

C. No fence shall be erected of barbed wire, topped with metal spikes, nor constructed of any material or in any manner which may be dangerous to persons or animals, except that these provisions shall not apply to farms. Fences permitted for commercial, industrial and agricultural uses shall not exceed a six (6) foot height; however, fences topped by a barbed wire protective barrier are allowed a total height of eight (8) feet.

D. Swimming pools shall be surrounded by BOCA approved barrier not to exceed a maximum height of six (6) feet.

E. At the discretion of the Board, a fence or wall exceeding a six (6) foot height shall be permitted if buffering is enhanced by the deviation.

F. The finished side of fences shall face adjacent properties.

G. At the discretion of the Board, chain link fence shall be constructed with vinyl clad posts, rails, and mesh.

H. Where provided, board on board fence shall be constructed with opposing boards separated by a rail/beam no more than two (2) inches in width. Opposite boards shall have a minimum one (1) inch overlap.

1. No retaining wall exceeding 4 feet in height from the lowest elevation of the finished grade to the top of the retaining wall shall be built unless a site plan has been submitted to and approved by the Engineering Department. Safety fence and/or guiderail along the top of retaining walls shall be provided in accordance with BOCA requirements and approved by the Township Engineer.

J. No retaining wall or structural member shall be permitted within the right-of-way. Retaining walls shall maintain a property line setback equal to their height above grade.

K. Retaining walls required to support any Township roadway shall be a cast-in-place concrete retaining wall, concrete crib wall or modular concrete block retaining wall as approved by NJDOT and the Township Engineer.

L. Design calculations for retaining walls over 4 feet in height shall be submitted by the applicant and approved by the engineering department. The design shall be accompanied by detailed manufacturer specifications for all aspects of the installation and shall be signed and sealed by a licensed professional engineer of the State of New Jersey.

M. Loose boulder type retaining walls shall be limited to landscape-uses only and shall not exceed an exposed height of 4 feet. Such walls are prohibited in areas used to support Township roadways or any public facility for which the Township will have maintenance responsibility.

N. Construction of all permitted retaining walls shall be inspected throughout the course of construction by the Township Engineer or his/her representative. The Township Engineer shall be notified 10 days before any work is started. The Township may require certification of the subgrade and backfill by a qualified soils engineer prior to the placement of materials. The Township Engineer may also require that a representative of the retaining wall manufacturer be on site during the installation of pre-manufactured section or block type walls.

A.Site furniture such as, but not limited to, benches, picnic tables, kiosks, clustered mail boxes, bike racks, decorative trash receptacles, bollards and recreation equipment shall be located and sized in accordance with their functional need, durability and maintenance.

B. Site furniture shall be compatible in form, material and finish. Design and materials shall be coordinated with that of existing or proposed architecture.

C. Decorative trash receptacles and ash urns shall be provided for all convenience stores, supermarkets, delicatessens, fast food restaurants, vehicular service stations, car washes, shopping centers and other similar uses.

D. Decorative benches shall be provided as an integral component for all shopping centers and retail complexes over 12,000 square feet GFA and all supermarkets over 20,000 square feet GFA.

E. Multi-family residential developments requiring clustered mailboxes shall provide benches in the vicinity of mailboxes.

In filing an application for development, the applicant shall comply with the following sign standards.

A. In all zoning districts within the jurisdiction of this ordinance, signs may be used, erected, maintained, altered, relocated, removed or demolished only in compliance with the provisions of this section and any and all ordinances and regulations of the municipality relating to the use, erection, maintenance, alteration, moving or removal of signs or similar devices.

1. The intent of these regulations are to: a) Control the size, location, character and other pertinent features of all exterior signs or interior signs visible from the exterior of the building; b) Promote signage which is compatible with its surroundings, orderly, readable, appropriate, helpful and not distracting to motorists; c) Discourage and render unlawful signs which contribute to visual pollution and clutter, are in disrepair or of faulty construction, or are in any way detrimental to the public safety and welfare.

2. Standards set forth herein with respect to size, location, and number of signs constitute zoning regulations. Deviations from these sign standards with respect to size, number and/or location of signs shall require the granting of a bulk zoning variance by the approving Board. Deviations from all other sign standards shall require the granting of a design waiver by the approving Board.

As used in this ordinance, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

BILLBOARD SIGN A sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service or entertainment conducted, sold or offered at a location other than the premises on which the sign is located.

FACADE The total wall surface, including door and window area, of a building's principal face. In computing permitted sign area, only one (1) face of a building may be used as the principal face.

FACADE SIGN see wall sign.

FREESTANDING SIGN Any immovable sign not affixed to a building.

GROUND OR MONUMENT SIGN Any sign, other than a pole sign, placed upon or supported by the ground independent of any other structure.

POLE OR PYLON SIGN A sign that is mounted on a freestanding pole or similar support so that the bottom edge of the sign face is three feet or more above grade.

PORTABLE SIGN A sign that is not permanent, affixed to a building, structure or the ground.

RESIDENCE DESIGNATION SIGN A sign or plate indicating the name of the property or occupants.

ROOF SIGN A sign erected above the facade or on the roof of a building.

SIGN Any object, device, display or structure or part thereof, situated outdoors or indoors, which is used to advertise, identify, display, direct or attract attention to an object, person, institution, organization, business, product, service, event or location by any means, including words, letters, figures, design, symbols, fixtures, colors, illumination or projected images.

TEMPORARY SIGN A sign that (i) is used in connection with a circumstance, situation, or event that is designed, intended, or expected to take place or to be completed within a reasonably short period of time after the erection of such sign, or (ii) is intended to remain on the location where it is erected or placed for a period not more than 15 days. If a sign display area is permanent but the message displayed is subject to periodic changes, that sign shall not be regarded as temporary.

WALL SIGN A sign attached to, painted upon or erected against an awning, canopy, the wall or facade of a building or structure and not extending more than twelve (12) inches from a building face or facade of the structure.

WINDOW SIGN A sign maintained in or painted upon a window which is clearly visible from the exterior of a structure through a window.