Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Public Notice Introduction of Ordinance #1615

9-April-2024

Listing of Public Notices supplemental to the notices posted on the North Jersey Record and Newark Star-Ledger newspapers.


Notices are being reposted by the authority of the organization issuing the notice.    The organization issuing the notice is solely responsible for the content.
Additional information and previous Public Notice can be seen at:  https://www.bogotaonline.org/pubic-notice

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At the Bogota Borough Council Meeting on Thursday-21-March the Council voted to introduce a number of ordinances. This is ordinance #1615 and will amend the Municipal code pertaining to Tree Removal.  This will be presented for a Public Hearing at the next meeting on Thursday-18-April at 7:30p. It will be held in the Senior Centre on the second floor of 375 Larch Ave Bogota. The meet is open to the Public. 


BOROUGH OF BOGOTA

 

        PUBLIC HEARING & ADOPTION ORDINANCE NO. 1615 
                                               (TREE REMOVAL)
 
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 22 OF THE BOGOTA BOROUGH CODE, ENTITLED “STORMWATER MANAGEMENT”

 

WHEREAS, Borough of Bogota is a participant of the Municipal Stormwater Management Program, established by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (“NJDEP”); and,

WHEREAS, the NJDEP has required that all participants in the program adopt an ordinance that establishes the requirements for the removal and replacement of trees within the Borough; and,

WHEREAS, the aforementioned ordinance is a “Tier A” permit requirement, and must be adopted in order for the Borough to remain a participant of the Municipal Stormwater Management Program; and,

 WHEREAS, Chapter 22 of the Bogota Borough Code sets forth the codes and regulations for stormwater management within the Borough of Bogota; and,

WHEREAS, for the Borough to remain compliant with the Municipal Stormwater Management Program, it must adopt the aforementioned ordinance by no later than May 1, 2024; and,

WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council wish to amend Chapter 22 of the Bogota Borough Code to implement the ordinance required by the NJDEP, so that the Borough remains compliant with the Municipal Stormwater Management Program.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Bogota, that a new Section 11 be added to Chapter 22 of the Bogota Borough Code, entitled “Tree Removal-Replacement”, and shall read as follows:

§22-11.1 Purpose:

 

An ordinance to establish requirements for tree removal and replacement in the Borough of Bogota to reduce soil erosion and pollutant runoff, promote infiltration of rainwater into the soil, and protect the environment, public health, safety, and welfare.

 

§22-11.2 Definitions:

 

For the purpose of this ordinance, the following terms, phrases, words, and their derivations shall have the meanings stated herein unless their use in the text of this ordinance clearly demonstrates a different meaning. When consistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future, words used in the plural number include the singular number, and words used in the singular number include the plural number. The use of the word "shall" means the requirement is always mandatory and not merely directory.

 

A.    “Applicant” means any “person”, as defined below, who applies for approval to remove trees regulated under this ordinance.

 

B.     “Critical Root Radius (CRR)” – means the zone around the base of a tree where the majority of the root system is found. This zone is calculated by multiplying the diameter at breast height (DBH) of the tree by 1.5 feet. For example: a tree with a 6” DBH would have a CRR = 6”x1.5’ = 9’.

 

C.     “Diameter at Breast Height (DBH)” means the diameter of the trunk of a mature tree generally measured at a point four and a half feet above ground level from the uphill side of the tree. For species of trees where the main trunk divides below the 4 ½ foot height, the DBH shall be measured at the highest point before any division.

 

D.    “Hazard Tree” means a tree or limbs thereof that meet one or more of the criteria below, with such determination to be made by the Borough’s Arborist upon request.  Trees that do not meet any of the criteria below and are proposed to be removed solely for development purposes are not hazard trees.

 

1.      Has an infectious disease or insect infestation;

2.      Is dead or dying;

3.      Obstructs the view of traffic signs or the free passage of pedestrians or vehicles, where pruning attempts have not been effective;

 

4.      Is causing obvious damage to structures (such as building foundations, sidewalks, etc.); or

5.      Is determined to be a threat to public health, safety, and/or welfare by a certified arborist or Licensed Tree Expert (LTE).

 

E.     “Person” means any individual, resident, corporation, utility, company, partnership, firm, or association. 

 

F.      “Planting strip” means the part of a street right-of-way between the public right-of-way and the portion of the street reserved for vehicular traffic or between the abutting property line and the curb or traveled portion of the street, exclusive of any sidewalk.

 

G.    “Resident” means an individual who resides on the residential property or contractor hired by the individual who resides on the residential property where a tree(s) regulated by this ordinance is removed or proposed to be removed.

 

H.    “Street Tree” means a tree planted in the sidewalk, planting strip, and/or in the public right-of-way adjacent to the portion of the street reserved for vehicular traffic. This also includes trees planted in planting strips within the roadway right-of-way, i.e., islands, medians, pedestrian refuges.

 

I.        “Tree” means a woody perennial plant, typically having a single stem or trunk growing to a considerable height and bearing lateral branches at some distance from the ground.

 

J.       “Tree Caliper” means the diameter of the trunk of a young tree, measured six (6) inches from the soil line.  For young trees whose caliper exceeds four (4) inches, the measurement is taken twelve (12) inches above the soil line.

 

K.    “Tree removal” means to kill or to cause irreparable damage that leads to the decline and/or death of a tree. This includes, but is not limited to, excessive pruning, application of substances that are toxic to the tree, over-mulching or improper mulching, and improper grading and/or soil compaction within the critical root radius around the base of the tree that leads to the decline and/or death of a tree. Removal does not include responsible pruning and maintenance of a tree, or the application of treatments intended to manage invasive species.

  

§22-11.3 Regulated Activities:

 

A.  Tree Removal Requirements

 

1.      The Borough of Bogota is accredited with the New Jersey Urban and Community Forestry Program and has implemented a Community Forestry Plan (the “NJUCFP Plan”), which covers tree care, removal and replacement.  The provisions of the NJUCFP Plan are incorporated by reference in this Chapter, and shall apply to any person who seeks to remove or replace a tree covered under its Sections, in addition to the requirements set forth in this Chapter.  A copy of the current NJUCFP Plan is available for inspection or copy at the Borough Clerk’s Office.

 

2.      The provisions of Chapter 15 of the Borough Code shall apply to any person who seeks to remove a tree covered under its Sections, in addition to the requirements set forth in this Chapter. 

 

B.     Tree Replacement Requirements

 

1.      Any person who removes one or more street tree(s) with a DBH of 2.5” or more, unless exempt under Section 22-11.4, shall be subject to the requirements of the Tree Replacement Requirements Table below.

 

2.      Any person, who removes one or more tree(s), as defined as Tree removal, with a DBH of 6” or more per acre, unless otherwise detailed under Section 22-11.4, shall be subject to the requirements of the Tree Replacement Requirements Table.

 

         The species type and diversity of replacement trees shall be in accordance with Appendix A. 

 

Replacement tree(s) shall:

 

1.      Be replaced in kind with a tree that has an equal or greater DBH than tree removed or meet the Tree Replacement Criteria in the table below;

 

2.      Be planted within twelve (12) months of the date of removal of the original tree(s) or at an alternative date specified by the Borough;

 

3.      Be monitored by the applicant for a period of two (2) years to ensure their survival and shall be replaced as needed within twelve (12) months; and

 

4.      Shall not be planted in temporary containers or pots, as these do not count towards tree replacement requirements.

Category

Tree Removed (DBH)

Tree Replacement Criteria (See Appendix A)

1

DBH of 2.5” (for street trees) or 6” (for non-street trees) to 12.99”

Replant 1 tree with a minimum tree caliper of 1.5” for each tree removed

2

DBH of 13” to 22.99”

 

Replant 2 trees with minimum tree calipers of 1.5” for each tree removed

3

DBH of 23” to 32.99”

 

Replant 3 trees with minimum tree calipers of 1.5” for each tree removed

4

DBH of 33” or greater

 

Replant 4 trees with minimum tree calipers of 1.5” for each tree removed

Tree Replacement Requirements Table:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

C.    Replacement Alternatives:

 

1.      If the Borough determines that some or all required replacement trees cannot be planted on the property where the tree removal activity occurred, then the applicant shall do one of the following:

 

a.       Plant replacement trees in a separate area(s) approved by the Borough.

b.      Pay a fee of Five Hundred ($500.00) Dollars per tree removed. This fee shall be placed into a fund dedicated to tree planting and continued maintenance of the trees.

§22-11.4 Exemptions:

All persons shall comply with the tree replacement standard outlined above, except in the cases detailed below.  Proper justification shall be provided, in writing, to the Borough by all persons claiming an exemption.  Proper justification may include photos or statements from a NJ licensed tree expert, as per N.J.S.A. 45:15C-11 or an arborist:

 

A.    Residents who remove less than four (4) trees per acre that fall into category 1, 2, or 3 of the Tree Replacement Requirements Table within a five-year period.

 

B.     Tree farms in active operation, nurseries, fruit orchards, and garden centers;

 

C.     Properties used for the practice of silviculture under an approved forest stewardship or woodland management plan that is active and on file with the Borough;

 

D.    Any trees removed as part of a municipal or state decommissioning plan. This exemption only includes trees planted as part of the construction and predetermined to be removed in the decommissioning plan.

 

E.     Any trees removed pursuant to a New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved environmental clean-up, or NJDEP approved habitat enhancement plan;

 

F.      Approved game management practices, as recommended by the State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife;

 

G.    Hazard trees may be removed with no fee or replacement requirement.

 

§22-11.5 Enforcement:

This ordinance shall be enforced by the Borough Code Enforcement Officer during the course of ordinary enforcement duties.

 

§22-11.6 Violations and Penalties:

 

Any person(s) who is found to be in violation of the provisions of this ordinance shall be subject to a fine of Five Hundred ($500.00) Dollars.

 

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Bogota as follows:

 

Severability:

 

Each section, subsection, sentence, clause, and phrase of this Ordinance is declared to be an independent section, subsection, sentence, clause, and phrase, and finding or holding of any such portion of this Ordinance to be unconstitutional, void, or ineffective for any cause or reason shall not affect any other portion of this Ordinance.

 

Effective Date:

 

This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption and any publication as may be required by law.

 

Adoption Date: _________________________________________________________

 

 

Approved By: __________________________________________________________


 

Appendix A

Approved list of Replacement tree Species and Planting Standards for the Borough of Bogota

 

Tree Species

Cultivars

Planting Season

Planting Procedure

Acer Rubrum

Red Maple

 

Spring / Fall

Full Sun to Part Shade, Soil Moisture - average to wet, Soil Type wide range (clay to sandy loam)

Acer Saccharum

Sugar Maple

 

Fall / early winter

Full Sun to Part Shade, Soil Moisture - average to dry, Soil Type wide range (clay to sandy loam)

Acaer x Freemanii

Freeman Maple

Armstrong, Fairfall, Marmo, scarlet Sentinel

Spring / Fall

Full Sun, Soil Moisture - average to dry, Soil Type wide range (clay to sandy loam)

Amelanchier laevis

Shadblow Serviceberry

 

Spring / Fall

Full Sun to Part Shade, Soil Moisture - average to wet, Soil Type wide range (prefers well-drained loams)

Betula Nigra

River Birch

 

Spring / Fall

Full Sun, Soil Moisture - average to wet, Soil Type- Prefers moist, acidic, fertile soils

Carpinus Caroliniana

American Hornbeam

Native Flame

 

Spring

Part Shade, Soil Moisture - average to wet, Soil Type - Prefers moist, organically rich soils.

Celtis Occidentalis

Hackberry

 

Spring

Full Sun to Part Shade, Soil Moisture - average to dry, Soil Type wide range (clay to sandy loam)

Cercis Canadensis

Eastern Red Bud

 

Fall

Full Sun to Part Shade, Soil Moisture - average to wet, Soil Type - Performs best in moderately fertile soils

Cercis Chinensis

Chinese Redbud

 

 

Late Spring / Early Summer

Full Sun to Part Shade, Soil Moisture - average to wet, Soil Type - Performs best in moderately fertile soils

Cladrastis Kentukea

Yellowwood

 

Sweetshade, Perkins Pink

 

Spring

Full Sun, Soil Moisture - average, Soil Type - Prefers moist well drained, organically rich soils.

Crataegus Crus-galli

Cockspurn Hawthorn

Thornless varieties only

Spring / Fall

Full Sun, Soil Moisture - average to medium moisture, Soil Type wide range (clay to sandy loam)

Ginkgo Bilobra

Ginkgo, Maidenhair Tree

 

 

Spring / Fall

Full Sun, Soil Moisture - average to medium moisture, Soil Type wide range (clay to sandy loam)

Gladitsia Triacanthos

Honey Locust

 

Moraine, Shademaster, Sunburst, Imperial

Spring / Fall

Full Sun, Thornless, Soil Moisture - average to medium moisture, Soil Type wide range (clay to sandy loam)

Gymnocladus Dioicus

Kentucky Coffeetree

 

Early Winter / Early Spring

Full Sun, Soil Moisture - Medium moisture, Soil Type organically rich, well-drained soils

Halesia Carolina

Carolina Silverbell

 

Spring / Fall

Full Sun, Soil Moisture - average to medium moisture, Soil Type wide range (clay to sandy loam)

Liquidambar Styraciflua

American Sweetgum

Cherokee, Rotundiloba, Slender Silouette, Worplesdon

Early Winter / Early Spring

Full Sun to Part Shade, Soil Moisture - average to wet, Soil Type wide range (clay to sandy loam)

Liriodendron Tulipifera

Tulip Tree

Ardis, Arnold,  Emerald City, Fastigiatum

Spring / Fall

Full Sun, Soil Moisture - average, Soil Type - organically rich, well-drained loams

Magnolia Virginiana

Sweet Bay Magnolia

 

Spring / Fall

Full Sun to Part Shade, Soil Moisture – average to wet, Soil Type – clay to loam, prefers acidic soils

Metasequoia Glyptostroboides

Dawn Redwood

 

Fall

Full Sun to Part Shade, Soil Moisture - average to wet, Soil Type - well-drained loam

Nyssa Sylvatica

Black Gum

 

Spring / Fall

Full Sun, Soil Moisture - average to wet, Soil Type sandy loam.

Ostrya Virginiana

Eastern Hop Hornbeam

 

Spring / Fall

Full Sun to Part Shade, Soil Moisture -  Medium moisture, Soil Type organically rich, well-drained soils

Platanus x Acerifolia

London Planetree

 

Spring / Fall

Full Sun to Part Shade, Soil Moisture - average to wet, Soil Type wide range (clay to sandy loam)

Prunus Cistena

Purple-leaf Sand Cherry

 

Early Spring

Full Sun, Soil Moisture - average, Soil Type - organically rich, well-drained loams

Prunus Sargentii

Sargent Cherry

 

Early Spring

Full Sun, Soil Moisture - Medium moisture, Soil Type organically rich, well-drained soils

Prunus Virginiana

Chokecherry

 

Spring / Early Summer

Full Sun to Part Shade, Soil Moisture - average to dry, Soil Type wide range (clay to sandy loam)

Quercus Bicolor

Swamp White Oak

 

Hightower

 

Spring

Full Sun, Soil Moisture - average to wet, Soil Type wide range (clay to sandy loam) Prefers acidic soil

Quercus Coccinea

Scarlet Oak

Kindred Spirit, Fastigiata, Skyrocket

Spring

Full Sun, Soil Moisture - average to dry, Soil Type wide range (clay to sandy loam)

Quercus Macrocarpa

Bur Oak

 

Spring

Full Sun, Soil Moisture - average to dry, Soil Type wide range (clay to sandy loam) Prefers moist well-drained loams

Quercus Muehlenbergii

Chinkapin Oak

 

Spring

Full Sun, Soil Moisture - average to dry, Soil Type wide range (clay to sandy loam) Prefer moist fertile loams

Quercus Michauxii

Chestnut Oak

 

Spring

Full Sun, Soil Moisture - average to wet, Soil Type wide range (clay to sandy loam) Prefer moist fertile loams

Quercus Palustris

Pin Oak

 

Spring

Full Sun, Soil Moisture - average to wet, Soil Type wide range (clay to sandy loam) Prefer moist fertile loams

Quercus Phellos

Willow Oak

 

 

Spring

Full Sun, Soil Moisture - average to medium moisture, Soil Type wide range (clay to sandy loam) Prefer moist well-drained loams

Quercus Rubra

Northern Red Oak

 

Spring

Full Sun, Soil Moisture - average to medium moisture, Soil Type wide range (clay to sandy loam) Prefer moist well-drained loams

Quercus Velutina

Black Oak

 

Spring

Full Sun, Soil Moisture - average to medium moisture, Soil Type wide range (clay to sandy loam) Prefers acidic soil

Tilia Americana

American Linden

 

Spring / Fall

Full Sun to Part Shade, Soil Moisture - average to medium moisture, Soil Type wide range (clay to sandy loam) Prefers moist, fertile, well-drained loams

Tilia cordata

Little Leaf Linden

 

Spring / Fall

Full Sun to Part Shade, Soil Moisture - average to medium moisture, Soil Type wide range (clay to sandy loam) Prefers moist, fertile, well-drained loams

Ulmus Americana

American Elm

Accolade, Frontier

Spring / Fall

Full Sun to Part Shade, Soil Moisture - average to medium moisture, Soil Type - Prefers moist, fertile, well-drained loams

Zelkova Serrata

Zelkova

 

Spring

Full Sun, Soil Moisture - average to medium moisture, Soil Type - Prefers rich, moist loams

  

Evergreen Trees

 

Ilex Opaca

Opaca

 

Spring

Sun/ Part Shade, Soil Moisture - average to medium moisture, Soil Type – Well Drained, acidic soils

Juniperus Virginiana

Eastern Red Cedar

 

Spring

Full Sun, Soil Moisture - average to medium moisture, Soil Type - Prefers rich, moist loams

Pinus Rigida

Pitch Pine

 

Spring

Full Sun, Soil Moisture – Dry , Soil Type - Prefers sandy loam

Pinus Strobus

Eastern White Pine

 

Spring

Full Sun, Soil Moisture - average to medium moisture, Soil Type - Prefers rich, moist sandy loams

 

PUBLIC HEARING OPEN               

Councilperson

Motion

Second

Yes

Nonn   No

Absent

Abstain

Council President Carpenter

 

 

 

 

 

 

Councilwoman Kohles

 

 

 

 

 

 

Councilman McHale

 

 

 

 

 

 

Councilman Mitchell

 

 

 

 

 

 

Councilwoman Vergara

 

 

 

 

 

 

Councilman Robbins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMENTS:

 

PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED                     

Councilperson

Motion

Second

Yes

Nonn   No

Absent

Abstain

Council President Carpenter

 

 

 

 

 

 

Councilwoman Kohles

 

 

 

 

 

 

Councilman McHale

 

 

 

 

 

 

Councilman Mitchell

 

 

 

 

 

 

Councilwoman Vergara

 

 

 

 

 

 

Councilman Robbins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ATTEST:                                                                                 APPROVED:

 

 

________________________________                                      __________________________

Borough Clerk                                                                         Mayor

 

I, Yenlys Flores-Bolivard, Municipal Clerk of the Borough of Bogota, Bergen County, New Jersey, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a correct and true copy of an Ordinance Adopted by the Borough of Bogota at a meeting held on March 21, 2024.

 

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