Source: https://www.ecode360.com/16214866
Timestamp: 2019-11-15 15:55:03
Document Index: 690791962

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 291', '§ 291', '§ 291', '§ 291', '§ 291', '§ 291', '§ 291', '§ 291', '§ 291', '§ 291', '§ 291', '§ 291', '§ 291', '§ 291', '§ 291', '§ 291', '§ 291', '§ 291', '§ 291', '§ 291']

Borough of Lindenwold, NJ Stream Buffer Conservation Zones
§ 291-1 Intent, purpose and definitions.
§ 291-2 Establishment of Stream Buffer Conservation Zone.
§ 291-3 Permitted uses.
§ 291-4 Prohibited uses.
§ 291-5 Nonconforming structures and uses.
§ 291-6 Boundary interpretation and appeals procedure.
§ 291-7 Inspections.
§ 291-8 Stream buffer management plan.
§ 291-9 Vegetation selection.
Chapter 291 Stream Buffer Conservation Zones
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Lindenwold 10-12-2005 by Ord. No. 1174. Amendments noted where applicable.]
In recognition of the fact that natural features contribute to the welfare of residents, the following regulations have been enacted to provide reasonable controls governing the restoration, conservation, disturbance and management of existing stream buffers for all perennial and intermittent streams and all lakes and ponds in the municipality by establishing designated Stream Buffer Conservation Zones.
In addition, the specific purposes and intent of this article are to:
Reduce the amount of nutrients, sediment, organic matter, pesticides and other harmful substances that reach watercourses, wetlands, subsurface and surface water bodies by using scientifically proven processes, including filtration, deposition, absorption, adsorption, plant uptake, biodegradation, denitrification, and by improving infiltration, encouraging sheet flow, and stabilizing concentrated flows.
Improve and maintain the safety, reliability and adequacy of the water supply for domestic, agricultural, commercial, industrial and recreational uses, along with sustaining diverse populations of aquatic flora and fauna.
Regulate the land use, siting and engineering of all development to be consistent with the intent and objectives of this chapter, accepted conservation practices, and to work within the carrying capacity of existing natural resources.
Conserve the natural features important to land and water resources (e.g., headwater areas, groundwater recharge zones, floodway, floodplain, springs, streams, wetlands, woodlands, prime wildlife habitats) and other features constituting high recreational value or containing amenities that exist on developed and undeveloped land.
Work with floodplain, steep slope, and other ordinances that regulate environmentally sensitive areas to minimize hazards to life, property and stream features.
Definition. The Stream Buffer Conservation Zone is defined as areas surrounding municipally designated surface water bodies, including creeks, lakes and intermittent watercourses, that intercept surface water runoff, wastewater, subsurface flow, and/or deep groundwater flows from upland sources and function to remove or buffer the effects of associated nutrients, sediment, organic matter, pesticides or other pollutants prior to entry into surface waters. This area may also provide wildlife habitat, control water temperature, attenuate flood flow, and provide opportunities for passive recreation. This buffer area may or may not contain trees and other native vegetation at the time of ordinance enactment.
The establishment of the Stream Buffer Conservation Zone applies to the following areas, which are identified on the Municipal Stream Buffer Map:
The measurement of the Stream Buffer Conservation Zone shall extend a minimum of 75 feet from each defined edge of an identified watercourse or surface water body at bankfull flow or level or shall equal the extent of the one-hundred-year floodplain, whichever is greater. The zone will consist of two distinct zones designated as:[1]
This zone will begin at each edge of an identified waterway (which can include wetlands and intermittent watercourses) and occupy a margin of land with a minimum width of 25 feet measured horizontally on a line perpendicular to the edge of water at bankfull flow.
Where steep slopes (in excess of 25%) are located within 25 feet of a municipally designated watercourse, Zone One shall extend the entire distance of this sloped area. If the distance of this sloped area is greater than 75 feet, there will be no requirement for the establishment of Zone Two. If the distance is less than 75 feet, the width of Zone Two will be adjusted so that the total buffer width (Zone One and Zone Two) will be 75 feet maximum.
Width determination. The developer, applicant or designated representative shall be responsible for the initial width determination of the stream buffer and identifying this area on any plan that is submitted to the municipality for subdivision, land development, or other improvements that require plan submissions or permits. This initial determination shall be subject to review and approval by the Municipal Engineer, governing body, or its appointed representative.
The following uses are permitted, either by right or after review and approval by the municipality, in the Stream Buffer Conservation Zone. However, within any buffer, no construction, development, use, activity or encroachment shall be permitted unless the activity is described in the stream buffer management plan, as outlined in § 291-8.
Uses permitted by right. Open space uses that are primarily passive in character shall be permitted to extend into the area defined as Zone One, including:
Wildlife sanctuaries, nature preserves, forest preserves, fishing areas, passive areas of public and private parklands, and reforestation in compliance with the guidelines of the stream buffer management plan.
Stream bank stabilization in compliance with the guidelines of the stream buffer management plan.
Uses requiring municipal review and approval. Buffer crossings by farm vehicles and livestock, recreational trails, roads, railroads, centralized sewer and/or water lines, and public utility transmission lines, provided that any disturbance is offset by buffer improvements identified in the stream buffer management plan.
Uses permitted by right. The following uses, which are primarily passive in character, shall be permitted by right to extend into the area defined as Zone Two:
Open space uses, including wildlife sanctuaries, nature preserves, forest preserves, passive areas of public and private parklands, and recreational trails.
Reforestation in compliance with the guidelines of the stream buffer management plan.
Agricultural uses existing at the time of adoption of this chapter.
Buffer crossings by farm vehicles and livestock, roads, railroads, centralized sewer and/or water lines, and public utility transmission lines, provided that any disturbance is, at a minimum, offset by buffer improvements identified in the stream buffer management plan.
Centralized sewer and/or water lines and public utility transmission lines running along the buffer, provided that any disturbance is, at a minimum, offset by buffer improvements identified in the stream buffer management plan. These lines shall be located as far from Zone One as practical.
Selective cutting of trees when removal is consistent with approved standards in the stream buffer management plan.
Areas such as camps, campgrounds, picnic areas and golf courses.
Active recreation areas such as ball fields, playgrounds and courts, provided these uses are designed in a manner that will not permit concentrated flow.
Naturalized stormwater basins in compliance with the guidelines in the stream buffer management plan. The entire basin shall be located a minimum of 50 feet from the defined edge of identified watercourses.
Any use or activity not authorized within § 291-3 shall be prohibited within the Stream Buffer Conservation Zone. By way of example, the following activities and facilities are specifically prohibited:
Selective cutting of trees and/or the clearing of other vegetation within Zone One, except where such clearing is necessary to prepare land for a use permitted under § 291-3A and where the effects of these actions are mitigated by revegetation, as specified under § 291-9.
Selective cutting of trees and/or the clearing of other vegetation within Zone Two, except where such clearing is necessary to prepare land for a use permitted by § 291-3B and where the effects of these actions are mitigated by revegetation, as specified under § 291-9.
Removal of trees in excess of selective cutting, except where such removal is necessary as a means to eliminate dead, diseased or hazardous tree stands that jeopardize public safety or as part of a reforestation project, provided that the removal is in compliance with a stream buffer management plan approved by the Municipal Engineer, governing body, or its appointed representative.
Removal or disturbance of vegetation in a manner that is inconsistent with erosion control and buffer protection.
Use of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and/or other chemicals in excess of prescribed industry standards or the recommendations of the Camden County Conservation District.
Roads or driveways, except where permitted as buffer crossings in compliance with § 291-3A(2) or B(2)(b).
Any type of permanent structure, including fences, except structures needed for a use permitted in § 291-3.
Nonconforming structures and uses of land within the Stream Buffer Conservation Zone shall be regulated under the provisions of Chapter 365, Zoning (existing nonconformance regulations). The following additional regulations also shall apply:
Existing nonconforming structures or uses within Zone One or Two that are not permitted under § 291-3 may be continued but shall not have the existing building footprint or uses expanded or enlarged.
Discontinued nonconforming uses may be resumed any time within one year from such discontinuance but not thereafter when showing clear indications of abandonment. No change or resumption shall be permitted that is more detrimental to the Stream Buffer Conservation Zone, as measured against the intent and objectives under § 291-1, than the existing or former nonconforming use.
This one-year time frame shall not apply to agricultural uses which are following prescribed best management practices for crop rotation.
When a landowner or applicant disputes the zone (One or Two) boundaries of the stream buffer or the defined edge of a watercourse or surface water body, the landowner or applicant shall submit evidence to the municipality that describes the boundary, presents the landowner's or applicant's proposed boundary, and presents all justification for the proposed boundary change.
The Municipal Engineer, governing body or appointed representative shall evaluate all material submitted and shall make a written determination within 45 days, a copy of which shall be submitted to the Joint Land Use Board and landowner or applicant.
Any party aggrieved by any such determination or other decision or determination under this section may appeal to the Borough under the provisions of this chapter. The party contesting the location of the zone boundary shall have the burden of proof in case of any such appeal.[1]
Lands within or adjacent to an identified Stream Buffer Conservation Zone will be inspected by the municipal representative when:
The zone may also be inspected periodically by the municipal representative for compliance with an approved restoration plan, excessive or potentially problematic erosion, or at any time when the presence of an unauthorized activity or structure is brought to the attention of municipal officials.[1]
§ 291-8 Stream buffer management plan. [1]
Within any municipally identified buffer area, no construction, development, use, activity or encroachment shall be permitted unless the effects of such development are accompanied by implementation of an approved stream buffer management plan. The landowner or developer shall submit to the Municipal Engineer, governing body, or its appointed representative a stream buffer management plan prepared by a landscape architect, professional engineer or other qualified professional which fully evaluates the effects of any proposed uses on the Stream Buffer Conservation Zone. The stream buffer management plan shall identify the existing conditions (vegetation, one-hundred-year floodplain, soils, slopes, etc.), all proposed activities, and all proposed management techniques, including any measures necessary to offset disturbances to the Stream Buffer Conservation Zone. The plan shall be approved by the Municipal Engineer, governing body, or appointed representative as part of the subdivision and land development process.
To function properly, dominant vegetation in the stream buffer management plan shall be selected from a list of plants most suited to the stream buffer. Plants not included on the list may be permitted by the Municipal Engineer, governing body, or its appointed representative when evidence is provided from qualified sources certifying their suitability. The municipality may require species suitability to be verified by qualified experts in the Camden County Conservation District, Natural Resources Conservation Service, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or state and federal forest agencies.
In Zone One, dominant vegetation shall be composed of a variety of native water-tolerant trees, shrub species, tall grasses and appropriate plantings necessary for stream bank stabilization.[1]
In Zone Two, dominant vegetation shall be composed of water-tolerant trees and shrubs, with an emphasis on native species and appropriate plantings necessary to stabilize the soil.[2]
Disturbed areas shall be revegetated with stream buffer plants, in compliance with an approved stream buffer management plan.
Areas that cannot be revegetated shall be restored in compliance with an approved stream buffer management plan.