Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 3, September 1, 2024
Landscaping is an important aspect of the roadside.
Street trees can be added within the right-of-way of a subdivision street under
the following conditions:
A.
Additional right of way widths are provided for subdivision streets Types II
and III as shown on Figure 3.7-a.
B. Subdivision streets designed using
Integral PCC Curb and Gutter Type 3 shall provide a minimum offset of five feet
from the back of the curb and edge of sidewalk/path to the center of the tree
trunk. Approval from DelDOT is required for use of PCC Integral Curb and Gutter
Type 3 on Type II subdivision streets.
C. Subdivision streets designed using
Integral PCC Curb and Gutter Type 2 shall provide a minimum offset of eight
feet from the back of the curb and a minimum offset of five feet from edge of
sidewalk/path to the center of the tree trunk.
D. A note, (in accordance with DelDOT's
current notes which are available online at
http://devcoord.deldot.gov >
Quick Links > DelDOT Notes), is added on the record plan stating that DelDOT
will not maintain trees.
E. A
landscaping plan must be submitted for DelDOT review and approval, and the
following guidelines must be followed, noted and/or included on the landscape
plan:
1. The species of trees to be added
within the right-of-way of a subdivision street must be listed in detail and
must be confirmed as having been determined to be non-invasive and must not be
listed in the Delaware Department of Agriculture's Invasive Species List. Any
trees planted are to be installed in accordance with applicable current
standards that may be in place at the time of installation, such as:
International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) or American National Standards
Institute (ANSI).
2. Trees planted
within ten feet (10') of a sidewalk or other pedestrian facility must be grown
with a structured canopy limbed to a seven foot (7') minimum clearance at time
of installation. Annual street tree maintenance must include structural pruning
of the canopy until a maximum height clearance of ten feet (10') has been
acquired and maintained.
3. A
Certified Tree Inventory and a Maintenance Plan for any trees planted in the
right of way must be submitted to the Homeowners Association prior to
acceptance of the subdivision by the Department.
4. The Certified Tree Inventory should be
completed by an ISA-certified arborist, and must identify the community's
public trees (trees in open spaces, along streets, entranceways, greenways,
parks, etc.).
5. The Tree
Management Plan should be developed by an ISA-certified arborist and must
detail tree maintenance scheduling and timing; tree replacement schedule;
pruning and tree maintenance practices using best management practices and ANSI
standards.
6. The Maintenance
Organization or Home Owners' Association are responsible for maintenance of any
trees planted in the state right of way within a subdivision, to include
pruning, pest control and any necessary hazard remediation to include complete
removal as required for safety of the adjoining properties and users of the
subdivision streets.
7. Trees
planted in containers must receive consistent and frequent attention to
maintain a healthy vigor. Feeding, watering and winterization are of particular
importance.
F. Placement
of landscaping shall not impact sight distance or sidewalk stability.
Figure 3.7-a Street
Trees
Click
here to view
3.7.1
Landscaping - Median
Islands
Median islands within a subdivision may also be
landscaped, provided the following criteria are met:
A. If street trees are proposed, the islands
must have PCC Curb, Type 1-8. There is a minimum offset of five feet from the
back of the curb to the center of the trunk of the tree.
B. If no street trees are being proposed, PCC
Curb, Type 2 may be used.
C. A
note, (in accordance with DelDOT's current notes which are available online at
http://devcoord.deldot.gov >
Quick Links > DelDOT Notes), is added to the record plan stating that DelDOT
will not maintain landscaping or trees.
D. Placement of landscaping shall not impact
sight distance.
E. Maintenance
Agreement will be established for the landscaping in the
median.
3.7.2
Landscaping - Reforestation Regulations and Ordinances
The requirements established by these regulations,
including but not limited to the right-of-way dedication/reservation, permanent
easements, shared use paths, auxiliary lanes at the entrance, sight triangles,
and drainage features, shall be incorporated into the Record Plan prior to any
evaluation of tree impacts as required by the local land use agency and other
guidelines such as those found in Appendix A of DelDOT's Road Design
Manual.
