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Allentown City Zoning Code

§ 28-11.9

Landscaping and Shade Trees.

[Added 4-20-2021 by Ord. No. 03-2021]
a. 
No top soil shall be removed from the site or used as spoil. Top soil moved during the course of construction shall be redistributed on the surface to a minimum depth of six inches so as to provide an even cover and shall be stabilized by seeding or planting within the time period provided in the Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plan as submitted to the Planning Board by resolution adopted by it.
b. 
Any tree on the site having a trunk diameter of more than four inches at a height of five feet from the ground shall not be removed unless such removal is in accordance with a plan approved by the Shade Tree Commission.
c. 
No tree stumps or portions of trees or limbs shall be buried on any lots or streets.
d. 
Shade trees shall be located outside the street right-of-way in accordance with a plan approved by the Planning Board and Shade Tree Commission. In approving the locations and types of shade trees, the Planning Board shall consider:
1. 
Safety and vehicular and pedestrian traffic including visibility and sight distances.
2. 
Breakage of limbs of brittle trees.
3. 
Interference with existing utility lines. (Note: All new utilities must be underground.)
4. 
Consistency with general character of the area.
e. 
Living shade trees shall be located on each side of the street an average distance of 50 feet apart, but not less than 35 feet nor more than 75 feet apart. The minimum acceptable size for new or existing shade trees shall be two inches to 2 1/2 inches in caliper on property at a height of six inches from the ground. Trees shall be at least eight feet from any sidewalk, curb, gutter and street pavement on the interior or dwelling side thereof, and 10 feet from a line which is directly under any utility lines or wires.
f. 
Trees shall be of a type approved by the Shade Tree Commission.
g. 
The Planning Board, after examination and review, may waive all or any part of the provisions of this section because of exceptional surrounding conditions after receiving a report from the Shade Tree Commission.
h. 
All owners or subdividers shall be required to consult with the Borough Shade Tree Commission relative to the time and method of planting the required shade trees before proceeding with the planting, and the planting shall thereafter be done under the direct supervision of the Allentown Borough Shade Tree Commission.