Shade and ornamental trees, shrubbery, and other plants to be used for landscaping shall be supplied and installed according to the specifications contained herein. All planting, clearing, selective thinning, topsoiling, seeding, and other landscaping work shall conform to the applicable requirements of the standard specifications.

a. Shade trees shall be of a type and size and in locations approved by the Shade Tree Commission and shall be planted according to its specifications. All such trees must meet the minimum standards of the American Nurserymen's Association.

b. A list of approved and appropriate species of trees and ground covers may be obtained from the Shade Tree Commission.

c. As far as possible, each street block in a subdivision shall be confined to one (1) variety or varieties that exhibit similar crown shapes at maturity and have similar growth rates. It is desirable that the other neighboring street blocks differ in the variety used.

d. Trees shall not be less than two to two and one-half inch (2" to 2-1/2") caliper, measured twelve inches (12") above the butt and not less than twelve feet (12') high. They must be well branched, the branches to start not less than six feet (6') from the crown of the root system.

e. When authorized by the Shade Tree Commission, ornamental trees may be planted instead of shade trees. They may be of a smaller size than shade varieties.

1. These trees shall be not less than one and three-fourth inch (1-3/4") caliper, measured twelve inches (12") above the butt, nor less than eight feet (8') high.

2. They must be well branched, the branches to start not less than three feet (3') from the crown of the root system.

f. All trees must be planted in the location approved by the Shade Tree Commission.

1. Reserved.

2. Trees are to be no less than twenty-five feet (25') from intercepting curbs at street corners and not more than thirty feet (30') apart.

3. Excavations for plantings must be not less than eighteen inches (18") deep and not less than thirty inches (30") in diameter. A seepage area shall be provided by loosening the soil to a depth of one foot (1') below the excavation.

4. Planting soil shall be composed one (1) part peat, one (1) part humus and one (1) part of parent soil (all mixed thoroughly) to which shall be added and mixed in two (2) pounds of bone meal or its equivalent.

5. Each tree shall be given a minimum of five (5) gallons of water at the time of planting.

6. Staking and guying for trees subject to this Ordinance shall be White or Red Cedar, Oak, or Locust treated with an acceptable wood preservative and must be five feet (5') above ground and not less than two inches (2") in diameter.

(a) At least two (2) stakes must be driven securely into the ground, one (1) preferably on the northwest side of the tree trunk and at least one (1) opposite.

(b) Trees shall be guyed with wire padded with rubber hose or plastic straps.

g. Removal of all planting debris is required. The property must be left in a neat and orderly condition in accordance with good and accepted planting practices.

h. The varieties or species of shrubbery and other plants selected for landscaping and screening shall be subject to the approval of the Shade Tree Commission. Evergreen plantings may be interspersed with or placed with appropriate deciduous plantings.

i. All plantings shall be provided with an automated irrigation system to ensure maximum survivability. (Ord. #94-16, Appx. A)

Topsoil protection shall be enforced according to requirements of Chapter 25-1700.39 of this section. Where necessary, topsoil temporarily stored shall be stabilized in conformance with the Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction of the New Jersey Department of Transportation, as amended.

No material or temporary soil deposits shall be placed within six feet (6') of any trees or shrubs designated to be retained on the preliminary and/or final plat. Where grading may be required, trees not shown for removal shall be walled in and extension tiled to the outer crown of the tree.

Throughout the development, except in areas specifically designated to remain in their natural state, in landscaped or buffer areas, on building lots and in open space areas for public or quasi-public use, the developer shall selectively thin to remove all dead or dying vegetation, either standing or fallen, and shall remove, including grubbing out stumps, all undesirable trees and other growth.

a. No tree of eight inch (8") caliper or more, located on a lot between the borders of the lots and building setback line, shall be removed except for the installation of a driveway aisle or parking area unless such approval is in accordance with a plan approved by the Planning Board in consultation with the Shade Tree Commission. (Ord. #94-16, Appx. A)

Landscaping of the area of all cuts or fills and terraces shall be sufficient to prevent erosion and shall be approved by the City Engineer and Planning Board. All roadway slopes steeper than one foot (1') vertically to three feet (3') horizontally shall be planted with suitable cover plants combined with grasses and/or sodding. (Ord. #94-16, Appx. A)

Removal of all planting debris is required. The property must be left in neat and orderly condition in accordance with good and accepted planting practices.

a. All tree stumps and other tree parts or other debris shall be removed from the site and disposed of in accordance with law.

b. No tree stumps, portions of a tree trunk or limbs shall be buried anywhere in the development.

c. All dead or dying trees, standing or fallen, shall be removed from the site.

d. If trees and limbs are reduced to chips, they may, subject to the approval of the City Engineer, be used as mulch in landscaped areas.

Existing plants may be salvaged and/or relocated from clearing areas within the development and utilized to meet the planting requirements of Section 25-1700.8 provided that:

a. Each three (3) items of salvaged and/or relocated plant material shall be considered equivalent to two (2) items of new plant material, and;

b. All such salvaged and/or relocated plant material shall be of a type, size, and quality acceptable to the City Engineer, and;

c. All such salvaged and/or relocated plant material shall be dug, transported, and replanted at a season of the year and using equipment, methods and materials conforming to the requirements of the Standard Specifications and subject to the approval of the City Engineer, and;

d. The developer has received the approval of the City Engineer in consultation with the Shade Tree Commission of the items to be relocated and the schedule and methods of relocation prior to any work or salvaging and/or relocation taking place.

Applicants or developers of any tract of land or building site shall be required to post a performance bond to cover the cost of the landscaping.

a. The amount of the performance bond shall be set by the City Engineer with the advice of the Shade Tree Commission, and posted with the City Council.

b. It shall be posted before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued and shall be released only after expiration of a twelve month (12) period following certification by the City Engineer and Shade Tree Commission that the total landscaping plan has been completed.

c. A Certificate of Occupancy shall not be issued by the Code Enforcement Official until all requirements of this Ordinance have been met.

Landscaped areas and sections, including trees, shrubbery, fences, and the grounds in and surrounding these sections, shall be properly maintained throughout the twelve (12) month period following certification, with recourse by the City to the performance bond in the event of default by the developer or owner. All plantings which fail to survive for a period of twelve (12) months following certification shall be replaced by the developer at no cost or expense to the City or the Shade Tree Commission. Such replacement shall be made within sixty (60) days following written demand for such replacement from the Shade Tree Commission, or within such extended periods as may be specified. If the developer refuses to do so, the City shall have recourse to the performance bond to remedy his default.

All trees, shrubbery, and other plants which fail to survive for a period of twelve (12) months following certification shall be replaced by the builder at no cost or expense to the City or the Shade Tree Commission. Said replacement shall be made within sixty (60) days following written demand for such replacement from the Shade Tree Commission, or within such extended periods as may be specified.

The Planning Board, after favorable recommendation by the City Engineer and Environmental Commission, and after examination and review, may waive, fully or partially, provisions of this section in heavily wooded areas, in areas unsuitable for plantings or because of other exceptional conditions, and/or may require supplementary plantings.

All parking areas for five (5) or more motor vehicles shall be illuminated with approved exterior lighting standards, with a minimum of one-half (1/2) horizontal foot candles average lighting level at the surface of the lot.

a. The minimum lighting level at any location within the parking area shall be seventy-five percent (75%) of the average level.

b. Free standing lighting standards or poles shall not exceed by more than ten feet (10') the height of adjacent buildings served by the parking lot.

All major pedestrian walkways and sidewalks which are not within a street right-of-way or abutting a private internal street serviced by street lighting and which are used by the public after sunset shall be illuminated with a minimum lighting level of one-half (1/2) horizontal foot candles average at the surface of the walk.

Monuments and property markers shall be of a size, shape and material required by N.J.S.A. 46:23-9.N and N.J.A.C. 13:40-5.1 and amendments and supplements thereto and shall be placed in accordance with said Statute and Code.

Off-street loading and unloading areas shall be surfaced with an adequately designed durable, all weather pavement of either bituminous concrete or Portland cement concrete clearly marked for loading spaces in accordance with pavement design standards in Section 25-1700.25.

Access to truck standing, loading, and unloading space shall be provided directly from a public street or alley or from a right-of-way that will not interfere with public convenience, and will permit orderly and safe movement of truck vehicles.

Unless otherwise permitted, fire zones shall not be used as standing, loading or unloading areas.

Where parking, other than for single or two (2) family dwellings, is permitted between the front building line and the property line, a safety island or raised median separating the public street from the parking area shall be provided in accordance with the following minimum requirements (see Figures 5 and 6).

a. The width of the safety island shall be four feet (4') minimum. All required tree and shrub plantings shall be placed on the on-site portion of the safety island, except that where screening is required under this Ordinance, the screening requirements shall take precedence.

b. Safety islands shall be landscaped, topsoiled, and seeded, except that they may, as an alternative to seeding, be provided with a cover or mulch of maintenance-free materials which provide a clear and unmistakable distinction between the parking area and the safety island.

c. Notwithstanding the use of maintenance-free materials, there shall be provided at least one (1) deciduous tree two inches (2") in diameter at breast height every forty feet (40') or part thereof, on all safety islands. A greater distance will be allowed for plantings, if necessary, for traffic safety. The area between trees shall be planted with a minimum of three (3) evergreen type shrubs. The portion of the safety island within twenty-five feet (25') of any access drive or street intersection shall be planted with evergreen shrubs less than thirty inches (30") in height. Alternate or additional plantings may be permitted by the Planning Board in accordance with an approved site plan.

d. No commercial signs, light standards or other aboveground obstructions other than plantings shall be permitted within five feet (5') of the street right-of-way. (Ord. #94-16, Appx. A)

All parking areas, passageways, and driveways shall be surfaced with a properly designed, durable, all weather pavement of either bituminous concrete or Portland cement concrete and clearly marked for parking spaces.

a. Parking areas for less than fifty (50) cars, which the Planning Board determines are not likely to be utilized by truck traffic or drive-up window service, may be paved with two inches (2") of pavement, Type FABC-1 over a six inch (6") gravel base, all in accordance with the specifications contained in Section 25-1700.25.

1. Rigid Portland cement concrete pavement may be utilized at the option of the applicant who shall submit pavement details for review.

b. In parking areas for fifty (50) or more cars, access drives and aisles, which the Planning Board determines are likely to be utilized by trucks or unusually high traffic volumes, shall provide paving in accordance with the requirements for streets other than local streets set forth in Section 25-1700.25 of this Ordinance.

c. No more than one (1) two-way access drives or two (2) one-way access drives shall be permitted on any street.

d. Where possible, access drives shall not be located closer than fifty feet (50') from the nearest right-of-way line of an intersecting street.

e. No parking stall shall be located to require a vehicle to back into any portion of the right-of-way in order to enter or exit the parking stall.

Sidewalks with a minimum width of five feet (5') and a minimum thickness of four inches (4") shall be provided in all parking areas for five (5) or more vehicles, between parking areas and principal structures, along aisles and driveways and wherever pedestrian traffic shall occur.

a. Sidewalks must be raised and curbed six inches (6") above the parking area except where crossing streets or driveways and wherever pedestrian traffic shall occur.

b. Sidewalks and parking areas must be arranged to prevent cars from overhanging or extending over sidewalk areas.

c. All sidewalk construction shall be in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Standard Specifications.

The perimeter of all parking areas and internal islands within all parking areas open to the general public shall have continuous cast in place concrete curbing (see Figure No. 3 in Section 25-1700.10) with a six inch (6") face or such alternate curb types as may be approved by the Planning Board at the time of site plan approval.

a. Concrete used should be in accordance with Section 251700.10 of this Ordinance and comply with the Standard Specifications.

b. Curbing should comply with requirements of Section 25-1700.11 of this Ordinance.

c. The Planning Board may waive the requirement for curb in parking areas open only to employees, service vehicles, or for loading and unloading, provided that drainage, vehicle control and safety can be properly accommodated by alternate means.