Hardwick Township City Zoning Code
ARTICLE V
Subdivision Standards
§ 13-40.1 General Design Standards.
[Ord. No. 96/4 § 13-40.1; Ord. No. 2007/14 § 2]
The following site design standards are applicable to the entire Township, regardless of zone district.
a.
All development applications must include a plan noting existing site conditions including streams, topography, ponds, rock formations, hedgerows, woodland areas, unique vegetation and similar features, existing buildings and structures, historic site structures, tree-lined roads, vistas and other elements of the built environment. This requirement may be waived for minor applications.
b.
Building placement and lot layout shall be designed in consideration of the site's topography, existing vegetation and other important features as follows:
1.
The plan shall minimize site disturbance and maintain the natural land features on the site, including but not limited to hedgerows, scenic vistas, tree-lined roads, unique vegetation, and historic, cultural, archaeological and architectural features.
2.
Development areas shall not include wetlands, buffer transition areas and flood plains.
3.
Existing stands of trees shall be preserved. New development, however, shall take place within woodland areas, provided that the trees are used to buffer the development from public view.
4.
Site layout shall be designed to eliminate or minimize soil import or export for completion of site development.
c.
Development shall be located to protect scenic viewsheds, preserve farmland, provide a setting for historic sites and districts, protect scenic, cultural, archaeological and architectural features, create a buffer between land uses and provide public and private open space and recreation opportunities.
d.
Conservation easements shall be provided for all critical areas located outside of building envelopes. All major subdivision plats and site plans shall contain a reference to any required conservation easements. Conservation easement dedication and monumentation shall be as directed by the Board and the Township Engineer.
§ 13-40.2 Residential Design Standards.
[Ord. No. 96/4 § 13-40.2; Ord. No. 2007/14 § 3]
Residential design standards are applicable to all residential zones in the Township.
§ 13-41 VEHICULAR CIRCULATION.
[Ord. No. 96/4 § 13-41]
a.
Driveways shall be designed in accordance with the Township's driveway regulations.
§ 13-42 STREETS.
[Ord. No. 96/4 § 13-42]
Shall be constructed in accordance with Chapter 10 of the ordinances of Hardwick Township.
§ 13-43 MONUMENTS.
[Ord. No. 96/4 § 13-43]
Monuments shall be installed in compliance with the requirements of N.J.S.A. 46:23-9.11q (The Map Filing Law). Monuments may be required in critical areas and conservation easements at the discretion of the Board. At least one corner of the subdivision shall be tied horizontally to the New Jersey State Grid Coordinate System and vertically to the U.S. Geodetic Survey System, with the data on the plat as to how the bearings will be determined.
§ 13-44.1 Purpose.
[Ord. No. 96/4 § 13-44.1]
It is the objective of this chapter to require extensive landscaping as part of any development. It is also the objective of this chapter to require applicants to expend a maximum effort to retain the existing natural features including trees and plants on any site proposed for development.
§ 13-44.2 Landscape Plan.
[Ord. No. 96/4 § 13-44.2]
Every application for approval of a major subdivision or site plan shall include a comprehensive and detailed landscape plan. Said plan shall identify, locate and provide planting details for all proposed trees, shrubs, bushes, plant material and ground cover, all existing plant materials proposed to be retained and all ground cover and natural features. For all existing natural growth proposed to be retained, the plan shall state the method(s) proposed to be used for its protection during and after construction (e.g. fences, tree wells, curbing or similar devices).
§ 13-44.3 General Standards.
[Ord. No. 96/4 § 13-44.3]
The landscape plan shall conform to the following requirements, as applicable:
a.
Existing mature trees, hedgerows, tree lines, stone-rows and woodlands shall be preserved and included as a design element in the landscape plan for all new development. Building placement shall preserve existing vegetation and the character of the site.
b.
At planting, deciduous trees shall have a minimum caliper of two and one-half (2-1/2) inches and evergreens shall be at least four (4) feet high. Shrubs shall be at least two (2) feet at planting. All trees shall be balled and burlapped.
c.
Trees with calipers over eight (8) inches in diameter shall be preserved, whenever possible. Grading, filling or impervious coverage must not intrude on the "drip line" of trees which are to be preserved.
d.
Existing trees or landscaping located within twenty (20) feet of any street or lot line or zone boundary shall be maintained unless shown to be removed as part of an approved plan. The existing grade within that space shall not be disturbed without such approval.
e.
The landscaping plan shall provide for a variety and mixture of plant materials, taking into consideration their susceptibility to disease; colors, by season; textures; shapes; blossoms; and foliage. Native species shall be included in the design.
f.
The choice of landscaping shall be appropriate to local soil conditions and availability of water.
g.
Ground cover shall be used to prevent erosion.
h.
All landscaping shall be consistent with the natural surroundings and shall be properly maintained throughout the life of any use on said lot.
§ 13-44.4 Shade Trees.
[Ord. No. 96/4 § 13-44.4]
a.
Recommended trees. The following tree species are recommended shade trees:
1.
Red Oak - Quercus rubra
2.
Scarlet Oak - Quercus coccina
3.
Honey Locust - Gleditsia tricanthos (thornless variety)
4.
Red Maple - Acer rubrum, "October Glory," Red Sunset
5.
Sugar maple - Acer saccharum "Green Mountain," "Bonfire"
6.
Ginkgo - Ginkgo biloba (male)
7.
Redspire Callery pear - Pyrus calleryana, "Redspire"
8.
Chinese scholartree - Sophora japonica
9.
Japanese Zelkova - Zelkova serrata "Village Green"
10.
White ash - Fraxinus americana "Autumn Purple," "Rosehill"
11.
Green ash - Fraxinus (lanceolata) pennsylvanica "Summit," "Newport"
12.
Silver linden - Tilia tomentosa
c.
Each tree shall have a minimum caliper of three (3) inches.
d.
Street trees shall not be closer than fifteen (15) feet from any existing or proposed street light or street intersection.
e.
All trees shall be nursery-grown stock and shall have a root ball wrapped in burlap, with a replacement guaranty by the developer of two (2) years.
§ 13-45 (RESERVED)
[Ord. No. 96/4; repealed by Ord. No. 2006/06]