Removal or relocation of trees, application procedures and conditions.
Application permits for removal or relocation of individual trees or groups of trees covered herein shall be obtained by making application for permit to the Township. The application shall be accompanied by a written statement indicating the reasons for removal or relocation of trees and a general description of the trees to be relocated or removed. Prior to the issuance of a permit for tree removal or relocation, the Code Enforcement Officer or his agent shall conduct an on-site inspection to determine whether or not such removal or relocation conforms to the requirements of this section. The Code Enforcement Officer shall approve the permit if one or more of the following conditions is present:
(1) Necessity to remove trees that pose a safety hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic or threaten to cause disruption of public services.
(2) Necessity to remove trees that pose a safety hazard to buildings.
(3) Necessity to remove diseased trees or trees weakened by age, storm, fire or other injury.
(4) Necessity to observe good forestry practices.
(5) Necessity to remove trees in order to construct proposed improvements as a result of:
(a) Need for access to the site for construction equipment.
(b) Location of proposed structures, where alternative positions are unfeasible.
(c) Need for access around structures during construction.
(d) Essential grade changes.
(e) Surface water drainage and utility installations.
(6) Necessity for compliance with other Township codes such as building, zoning, subdivision regulations, health provisions and other ordinances.
Permit application review period.
The Code Enforcement Officer shall have 21 days after receipt of an application filed pursuant to §
300-63D in which to approve or deny the requested permit. In the event that the Code Enforcement Officer denies an application, he shall specify to the applicant in writing the reason for his action. If no final action with respect to an application is taken within the required 21 days, the application shall be deemed to have been granted.
Tree replacement requirement.
Any tree removed pursuant to the permitting procedures outlined in §
300-63D(5) in order to construct proposed improvements shall be replaced on the lot in question with two new trees with trunks not less than three inches in diameter, measured two feet above the ground line. Prescribed new trees shall not be placed on the lot as street trees or in place of trees required as part of a buffer area except in cases where tree(s) removed qualified as street trees or part of required buffer areas. Prescribed new trees shall be guaranteed by the lot owner for a period of three years. Any planted material that dies within this period shall be replaced by the lot owner at his expense. Subsequent to the determination of those trees to be removed, the Board of Commissioners may determine that the remaining tree coverage is substantial enough to grant a waiver of the requirement to provide some or all of the replacement trees herein required.
Hazardous or emergency conditions.
In the event that any tree shall be determined to be a hazardous or dangerous condition so as to endanger the public health, welfare or safety and requires immediate removal without delay, authorization by telephone may be given by the Code Enforcement Officer without obtaining a written permit as is otherwise required in §
300-63D.
See
§ 300-63: Tree protection. for more detailed information.
See
Permits for information on permitting.
See also
Permits and Applications for information on permit applications.
