As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
ALLEY
A public or private right-of-way primarily designed to serve
as a secondary access to the side or rear of those properties whose
principal access is on some other street.
APPLICANT
Any person submitting to the Commissioners and/or Commission
subdivision plans for the purpose of obtaining approval thereof.
BOUNDARY
The limits of the land being subdivided.
A.
Subdivision Boundary - The boundary of that
part of land intended for sale, transfer or lease.
BUILDING
Any structure having a roof supported by columns or walls,
used or intended to be used for the shelter or enclosure of persons,
animals or chattels, including a tent, cabin or trailer or mobile
home. When such structure is divided by one or more unpierced walls
extending from its ground up, it shall be so considered one building
for the purpose of applying the provisions of these regulations.
BUILDING LINE
A front, rear or side yard line as defined herein, used to
delineate that portion of a lot within which buildings and other structures
shall be confined.
CLUSTER SUBDIVISION
A type of subdivision in which lots are clustered together
on a portion or portions of a site with the remaining area to be retained
as open space through agreements that prohibit future development.
COMMUNITY
Two or more lots or parcels which may be either publicly
or privately owned.
DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS
The number of dwelling units permitted on a lot or parcel.
In certain zoning districts in Dorchester County, the number of development
rights is controlled by the gross acreage of the lot or parcel. When
appropriate, the Director or the Commission will require that a plat
include a statement of development rights available to the property.
DIRECTOR
The Director of the Dorchester County Planning and Zoning
Office.
DITCH
An artificial watercourse, channel or canal for drainage
or movement of water.
DORCHESTER COUNTY DESIGN MANUAL
A manual adopted by the Dorchester County Planning Commission
to guide property owners, land planners, engineers and reviewers in
site design.
DRY HYDRANT
A nonpressurized pipe system permanently installed in lakes,
ponds, rivers, streams and other waterways that provides a ready means
of suction supply of water for fire protection.
EASEMENT
A grant of the use of a parcel of land to the use of the
public or a corporation or a person for a specific purpose, without
including title to the land.
HABITATS OF THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES
Areas important for the protection of threatened and endangered
species listed in COMAR 08.03.08. Such areas shall be determined in
consultation with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
IMPROVEMENTS
Those physical additions, installations and changes, such
as streets, curbs, sidewalks, water mains, sewers, drainage facilities,
public utilities, fire hydrants and other appropriate items, required
to render land suitable for the use proposed.
INTERMITTENT STREAM
A stream in which surface water is absent during a part of
the year as shown on the most recent 7.5 minute topographical quadrangle
published by the United States Geological Survey or as confirmed by
field verification.
LOT
A parcel of land occupied or intended to be occupied by a
principal building or use or group of buildings and accessory buildings
and uses, including all open spaces and yards required by these regulations,
and having frontage on a road defined herein.
A.
CORNER LOTA lot abutting upon two or more roads at their intersection or upon two parts of the same road and, in either case, forming an interior angle of less than 135°.
MAJOR SUBDIVISION
All subdivisions not classified as minor subdivisions, including,
but not limited to, the division of a single lot, tract or parcel
into eight or more lots.
[Amended 11-21-2012 by Bill No. 2012-6]
MINOR SUBDIVISION
The division of a single lot, tract or parcel of land existing
as of April 1, 1995, into seven or fewer lots, tracts or parcels of
land, either all at one time or lot by lot.
[Amended 11-21-2012 by Bill No. 2012-6]
NONTIDAL WETLANDS
Nontidal wetlands included under state law pursuant to COMAR
08.05.04 or as amended.
OWNER
Always includes the lawfully authorized agent of the owner.
PERENNIAL STREAM
A stream containing surface water throughout an average rainfall
year, as shown on the most recent 7.5 minute topographical quadrangle
published by the United States Geological Survey, or as confirmed
by field verification.
PERSON
Includes a corporation, institution, partnership and association,
as well as the individual.
REGULATIONS
The Dorchester County Subdivision Regulations.
RESIDUE LAND
A designation of land on a subdivision plat that indicates
a specifically delineated area currently not included as part of the
subdivision. Residue land is not considered to be an approved subdivision
lot or parcel within the subdivision and may be used for future subdivision
or development at a later time, provided that all applicable ordinances
and regulations are complied with. Residue land shall contain a minimum
of three acres.
RIGHT-OF-WAY
A strip of land occupied or intended to be occupied by a
street, alley, crosswalk, sanitary or storm sewer, drainage ditch,
utility line or another special use. The usage of the term "right-of-way"
for land platting purposes shall mean that every right-of-way hereafter
established shall be shown on the final plat. All road and alley rights-of-way
are to be separate and distinct from lots or parcels adjoining such
rights-of-way and not included with the dimensions or areas of such
lots or parcels.
ROAD
A.
PUBLIC ROADPart of a state, county or municipal road system and an existing road or street that has been dedicated to one of the above systems by deed, easement or by long-term use and maintenance. Future roads will be offered for dedication by deed or easement, subject to the Dorchester County Commissioners approval, for acceptance into the county road system. The term shall include street, avenue, drive, circle, highway or a similar term.
B.
PRIVATE ROADA road or street not in any state, county or municipal road system owned by private interest, which may be used by one or more parties and must meet county standards for acceptance before becoming part of or changed over to the county road system. The term shall include street, avenue, drive, circle, highway or a similar term.
ROAD CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
A system that classifies county roads into one of four roadway
classifications based on the function of the road: limited access;
major collector; minor collector; and local roads, and, based on the
classification, controls the number of road access points per parcel
or lot to be permitted along a road. The road classifications are
shown conceptually in the Comprehensive Plan on Figure 5-2, Transportation
Improvements and Roadway Classification Plan, and are on a list amended
from time to time by the County Commissioners.
ROAD LINE
The existing or proposed right-of-way line of any road as
herein defined.
STEEP SLOPES
Slopes of 15% or greater incline sustained for eight vertical
feet.
SUBDIVISION
The division of a single lot, tract or parcel of land or
part thereof into two or more lots, tracts or parcels of land for
the purpose, whether immediate or future, of transfer of ownership
or of building development. Subdivision, when appropriate to the context,
shall relate to the process of subdividing or to the land subdivided.
SUBDIVISION IMPROVEMENT AGREEMENT
Any written agreement between the county and a developer
or property owner which contains a developer or property owner promise
to construct, maintain and warrant any required public or private
improvements associated with the subdivision of land.