Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words shall, for the purpose of this chapter, have the meaning herein indicated. The present tense shall include the future; the singular number shall include the plural; words used in the masculine gender shall include the feminine and the neuter; the word “shall” is always mandatory; the word “may” is always permissive.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
Agricultural soils shall be as recognized and classified in the Soil Survey of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Resources Conservation Service, May 2004 Update, or as amended:
[Amended 5-23-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-1]
Manuscript Symbol | Soil Name |
|---|---|
AIA | Alton gravelly loam, 0 to 3% slopes |
ALB | Alton gravelly loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
ArB | Arendtsville gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
BeA | Bedington channery silt loam, 0 to 3% slopes |
BeB | Bedington channery silt loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
BrB | Brecknock channery silt loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
BsA | Brownsburg silt loam, 0 to 3% slopes |
BsB | Brownsburg silt loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
CdA | Chester silt loam, 0 to 3% slopes |
CdB | Chester silt loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
CmB | Clarksburg silt loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
DaA | Delaware loam, 0 to 3% slopes |
DaB | Delaware loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
DfB | Duffield silt loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
DuA | Duncannon silt loam, 0 to 3% slopes |
DuB | Duncannon silt loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
EcB | Edgemont channery loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
FoA | Fountainville silt loam, 0 to 3% slopes |
FoB | Fountainville silt loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
GIB | Gladstone gravelly silt loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
GrA | Glenville silt loam, 0 to 3% slopes |
GrB | Glenville silt loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
LgA | Lansdale loam, 0 to 3% slopes |
LgB | Lansdale loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
LkA | Lawrenceville silt loam, 0 to 3% slopes |
LmA | Lehigh channery silt loam, 0 to 3% slopes |
LmB | Lehigh channery silt loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
Lt | Linden loam |
MaB | Manor loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
McA | Matapeake silt loam, 0 to 3% slopes |
McB | Matapeake silt loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
MdA | Mattapex silt loam, 0 to 3% slopes |
MIA | Mount Lucas silt loam, 0 to 3% slopes |
MIB | Mount Lucas silt loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
NbB | Neshaminy silt loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
PeA | Penn channery silt loam, 0 to 3% slopes |
PeB | Penn channery silt loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
PnB | Penn-Lansdale complex, 3 to 8% slopes |
RaA | Raritan silt loam, 0 to 3% slopes |
RaB | Raritan silt loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
ReA | Readington silt loam, 0 to 3% slopes |
Ro | Rowland silt loam |
WaB | Washington silt loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
AGRICULTURAL SOILS OF STATEWIDE IMPORTANCE- The following soil types shall be recognized and classified as agricultural soils of statewide importance:
Manuscript Symbol | Soil Name |
|---|---|
AbA | Abbottstown silt loam, 0 to 3% slopes |
AbB | Abbottstown silt loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
AbC | Abbottstown silt loam, 8 to 15% slopes |
AmA | Amell silt loam, 0 to 3% slopes |
AmB | Amell silt loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
ArC | Arendtsville gravelly silt loam, 8 to 15% slopes |
BeC | Bedington channery silt loam, 8 to 15% slopes |
BrC | Brecknock channery silt loam, 8 to 15% slopes |
BsC | Brownsburg silt loam, 8 to 15% slopes |
BwB | Buckingham silt loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
CbA | Chalfont silt loam, 0 to 3% slopes |
CbB | Chalfont silt loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
CdC | Chester silt loam, 8 to 15% slopes |
CyB | Culleoka-Weikert channery silt loam, 0 to 3% slopes |
CyC | Culleoka-Weikert channery silt loam, 8 to 15% slopes |
DgC | Duffield-Ryder silt loams, 8 to 15% slopes |
EcC | Edgmont channery loam, 8 to 15% slopes |
FoC | Fountainville silt loam, 8 to 15% slopes |
GIC | Gladstone gravelly silt loam, 8 to 15% slopes |
Ha | Hatboro silt loam (farmland of statewide importance) |
Ho | Holly silt loam |
KIB | Klinesville very channery silt loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
LgC | Lansdale loam, 8 to 15% slopes |
LgD | Lansdale loam, 15 to 25% slopes |
LkB | Lawrenceville silt loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
LmC | Lehigh channery silt loam, 8 to 15% slopes |
MaC | Manor loam, 8 to 15% slopes |
MIC | Mount Lucas silt loam, 8 to 15% slopes |
NbC | Neshaminy silt loam, 8 to 15% slopes |
NkA | Nockamixon silt loam, 0 to 3% slopes |
NkB | Nockamixon silt loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
NkC | Nockamixon silt loam, 8 to 15% slopes |
PeC | Penn channery silt loam, 8 to 15% slopes |
PkB | Penn-Klinesville channery silt loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
PkC | Penn-Klinesville channery silt loam, 8 to 15% slopes |
PkD | Penn-Klinesville channery silt loam, 15 to 25% slopes |
PnC | Penn-Lansdale complex channery silt loam, 8 to 15% slopes |
RaC | Raritan silt loam, 8 to 15% slopes |
ReB | Readington silt loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
RIA | Reaville channery silt loam, 0 to 3% slopes |
RIB | Reaville channery silt loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
RIC | Reaville channery silt loam, 8 to 15% slopes |
StB | Steinsburg gravelly loam, 3 to 8% slopes |
StC | Steinsburg gravelly loam, 8 to 15% slopes |
WaC | Washington silt loam, 8 to 15% slopes |
A strip of land over which there is a public or private right-of-way which serves as the secondary means of vehicular access to the side or rear of two or more properties. Frontage on such a right-of-way shall not be construed as satisfying the requirements of Township ordinances relating to frontage on a street.[1]
A landowner, or developer, as hereinafter defined, who has filed an application for development, including his/her heirs, successors and assigns.
Every application, whether tentative, preliminary, or final, required to be filed and approved prior to start of construction or development, including, but not limited to, an application for a building permit, for the approval of a subdivision plat or plan or for the approval of a development plan.
A professional architect licensed as such by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
An earth mound which physically blocks views without using architectural elements.
A tract of land bounded by streets. Block length shall be measured along the center line of a street between center lines of intersecting streets.
Any structure having a roof supported by columns or walls and intended for shelter, housing, or enclosure of persons, animals or chattels, and including covered porches or bay windows and chimneys. Included shall be all manufactured homes and trailers to be used for human habitation.
The portion of a street right-of-way normally paved or stoned and designed or intended for vehicular use.
[Added 12-10-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-004]
Freestanding, concrete-pad-pedestal-mounted mailbox containing 8, 12, 13, or 16 individually locked mailboxes and parcel compartments.
An area of unobstructed vision at street intersection defined by lines of sight between points at a given distance from the intersection of the street right-of-way lines.
A parcel of land or an area of water, or a combination of land and water within a development site and designed and intended for the use or enjoyment of residents of a development, not including streets, off-street parking areas, and areas set aside for public facilities.
(An ownership arrangement and not a land use.) A method of ownership which, when applied to a multifamily dwelling, provides for separate ownership for each unit, title of which shall consist of ownership of the unit together with an undivided interest in the common element.
Bucks Conservation District.
The County of Bucks, Pennsylvania.
The Planning Commission of the County of Bucks.
A right-of-way or easement for pedestrian travel which crosses a cartway.
A street intersecting another street at one end and terminating at the other in a vehicular turnaround.
A pipe, conduit, or similar structure, including appurtenant works, which convey surface water.
The measure of the number of dwelling units per acre as determined by regulations of Chapter 160, Zoning.
Regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter establishing minimum or maximum standards and a layout by which a subdivision and land development is developed.
The magnitude of precipitation from a storm event measured in probability of occurrence (i.e., fifty-year storm) and duration (i.e., twenty-four-hour), and used in computing stormwater management control system.
A basin designed to retard stormwater runoff by temporarily storing the runoff and releasing it at a predetermined rate.
Any landowner, agent of such landowner, or tenant with the permission of such landowner, who makes or causes to be made a subdivision of land or a land development.
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate including, but not limited to, the construction or placement of buildings or other structures, mobile homes, streets and other paving, utilities, mining, dredging, filling, grading, excavation, or drilling operations, and the subdivision of land.
The provisions for development, including a planned residential development, a plat of subdivision, all covenants relating to use, location and bulk of buildings and other structures, intensity of use or density of development, streets, ways and parking facilities, common open space and public facilities. The phrase “provisions of development plan” when used in this chapter shall mean the written and graphic materials referred to in this definition.
Any ditch, gutter, swale, culvert, basin, storm sewer or other structure designed, intended or constructed for the purpose of conveying, diverting or controlling surface water or groundwater.
The lands required for the installation of stormwater sewers or drainage ditches, or required along a natural stream or watercourse for preserving the channel and providing for the flow of water therein to safeguard the public against flood damage and unnatural erosion.
A private vehicular passageway providing access between a street and a private parking area or private garage.
A private vehicular passage way providing access between a street and private parking area or garage serving four or less dwellings. Shared driveways may cross through lots provided access easements are established. Lot frontage on such easements shall not be utilized to meet minimum lot width requirements of Chapter 160, Zoning.
A building designed and occupied exclusively for residential purposes containing one or more dwelling units on a single parcel of land, excluding hotel, rooming house, tourist home, institutional home, guest house, residential club, motel, motor court, and the like.
Any room or group of rooms located within a residential building and forming a single, habitable unit with facilities used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking and eating, by one family.
A grant for the use of a parcel of land by the public, a corporation, or a person, for a specified purpose.
Any placement or obstruction in a delineated floodway, wetland, right-of-way, easement, required yard, setback, or adjacent land.
A professional engineer licensed as such in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The removal of soil particles by the action of water, wind, ice, or other geological agents.
Any act by which earth, sand, gravel, rock, or any other similar material is dug into, cut, quarried, uncovered, removed, displaced, relocated, or bulldozed; and shall include the conditions resulting therefrom.
Documentation prepared in accordance with § 140-23.1 of this chapter identifying existing features and conditions on a proposed Conservation Management Design subdivision site.
[Added 1-26-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-4]
Any act by which earth, sand, gravel, rock, or any other material is placed, pushed, dumped, pulled, transported or moved to a new location above the natural surface of the ground, or on top of a stripped surface; and shall include the conditions resulting therefrom.
The difference in elevation between a point on the original ground and a designated point of higher elevation on the final ground elevation.
The material used to fill.
Any approved security which may be in lieu of a requirement that certain improvements be made before the Board of Supervisors approves a final subdivision or land development plan, including performance bonds, escrow agreements, and other similar collateral or surety agreements.
A temporary inundation of normally dry land areas.
[Added 1-26-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-004]
Any areas of Hilltown Township, classified as special flood hazard areas (SFHAs) in the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and the accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) dated March 16, 2015 and issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or the most recent revision thereof, including all digital data developed as part of the Flood Insurance Study; and
For areas abutting streams and watercourses where the one-hundred-year floodplain (1% annual chance flood) has not been delineated by the Flood Insurance Study, the applicant shall submit a floodplain identification study. The study prepared by a registered professional engineer expert in the preparation of hydrologic and hydraulic studies shall be used to delineate the one-hundred-year floodplain. The floodplain study shall be subject to the review and approval of the Township. All areas inundated by the one-hundred-year flood shall be included in the Floodplain Area.[2]
Areas comprised of one or more acres of mature or largely mature trees in which the largest trees measure at least six inches dbh (diameter at breast height, or 4 1/2 feet above the ground). Forest shall be measured from the drip line of the outer trees. “Forest” is also 10 or more individual trees which measure at least 10 inches dbh and form a contiguous canopy.
Refer “lot width.”
The Board of Supervisors of Hilltown Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
The slope of a street, other public way, land area, drainage facility or pipe specified in percent.
A plan showing all existing ground features and proposed grading, including existing and proposed surface and subsurface drainage facilities, described by grades, contours, and topography.
Natural underground water supplies.
Soils that are categorized as poorly drained that can support hydrophytic plants, but may not do so in many cases. For the purpose of this chapter, hydric soils are general wetland indicator soils. (Refer “wetlands.”) The following soils, classified in the Soil Survey of Bucks and Philadelphia Counties, Pennsylvania, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, July 1975, are hydric soils:
Impervious surfaces are those surfaces which do not absorb precipitation and surface water. All buildings, parking areas, driveways, roads, sidewalks, swimming pools, and any areas in concrete, asphalt, packed stone, or other equivalent surfaces shall be considered impervious surfaces within this definition. In addition, other areas determined by the Township Engineer to be impervious within the meaning of this definition will be classified as impervious surfaces.
Include but are not limited to traffic study, stormwater management study, floodplain study, wetland studies, erosion and sedimentation pollution control narrative, geological studies for water supply, sewage facilities alternatives study, etc. Studies requiring engineering calculations shall be prepared, signed, and sealed by a licensed professional engineer when deemed necessary by the Township.
Those physical additions, installations, and changes required to render land suitable for the use intended, including but not limited to grading, paving, curbing, street lights and signs, fire hydrants, water mains, electric service, gas service, sanitary sewers, storm drains, sidewalks, crosswalks, driveways, culverts, and street shade trees.
Any of the following activities:
The improvement of one or two or more contiguous lots, tracts or parcels of land for any purpose involving:
A group of two or more residential or nonresidential buildings, whether purposed initially or cumulatively, or a single nonresidential building on a lot or lots regardless of the number of occupants or tenure; or
The division or allocation of land or space, whether initially or cumulatively, between or among two or more existing or prospective occupants by means of, or for the purpose of streets, common areas, leaseholds, condominiums, building groups or other features.
A subdivision of land.
“Land development” does not include development which involves:
The conversion of an existing single-family detached dwelling or single-family semidetached dwelling into not more than three residential units, unless such units are intended to be a condominium;
The addition of a residential accessory building, including farm building, not greater than 600 square feet in area on a lot or lots subordinate to an existing principal building; or
The addition or conversion of buildings or rides within the confines of an enterprise which would be considered an amusement park. For the purposes of this subsection, an “amusement park” is defined as a tract or area used principally as a location for permanent amusement structures or rides. This exclusion shall not apply to newly acquired acreage by an amusement park until initial plans for the expanded area have been approved by the proper authorities.
The legal or beneficial owner or owners of land, including the holder of an option or contract to purchase (whether or not such option or contract is subject to any condition), a lessee, if he/she is authorized under the lease to exercise the rights of the landowner, or other person having a proprietary interest in land.
A parcel of land, used or set aside and available for use as the site of one or more buildings and any buildings accessory thereto, or for any other purpose, in one ownership and not divided by a street, nor including any land within the ultimate right-of-way of a public or private street upon which said lot abuts, even if the ownership to such right-of-way is the owner of the lot. In the case where an existing deeded parcel of land is divided into two or more tracts by public street; for the purposes of this chapter, each tract shall be considered a separate lot.
LOT, CORNER- A lot which has an interior angle of less than 135° at the intersection of two street lines. A lot abutting upon a curved street or streets shall be considered a corner lot if the tangent to the curve at the points beginning within the lot or at the points of intersection of the side lot lines with the street lines intersects at an angle of less than 135°.
LOT, DEPTH- The mean distance from the ultimate right-of-way line of the lot to its opposite rear line measured in a direction parallel to the side lines of the lot. Lot depth for triangular lots shall be the mean distance from the street line to the point of intersection of the side yards.
LOT, DOUBLE FRONTAGE- A lot (except for a corner lot) which fronts two interior proposed streets within a subdivision.
LOT, FLAG (LANE)- A lot which meets the criteria for an exception to the minimum lot width requirements under § 160-51 of Chapter 160, Zoning.
LOT, INTERIOR- A lot, the side lot lines of which do not abut on a street.
LOT, MINIMUM WIDTH- The minimum required lot width measured at the required building setback line.
LOT, NONCONFORMING- A lot, the area or dimension of, which was lawful prior to the adoption or amendment of the relevant Zoning Ordinance, but which fails to conform to the requirements of the zoning district under the current Zoning chapter.
LOT OF RECORD- A lot which has been recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds.
LOT, REVERSE FRONTAGE- A lot (excluding corner lots) which abuts upon two streets.
[Amended 5-23-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-1]
LOT, THROUGH- An interior lot having frontage on two parallel or approximately parallel streets.
LOT, TRIANGULAR- A lot having three lot lines, but which does not qualify as a corner lot.
LOT WIDTH (FRONTAGE)- The distance measured between the side lot lines, at the required minimum building setback line. In a case where there is only one side lot line, lot width shall be measured between such side lot line and the opposite rear lot line or street line.
A minor subdivision of land resulting in revised property boundaries between two or more existing lots, and not resulting in the creation of any additional lots.
Any security which may be accepted by the Township for the maintenance of any improvements required by this chapter.
Any subdivision not classified as a minor subdivision or lot line adjustment.
A dwelling unit erected on a foundation and made of one or more sections built in a factory. The completed unit shall meet all applicable building codes in effect.
Any division or redivision of a lot, tract or parcel of land by any means into two lots or less.
A transportable, single-family dwelling intended for permanent occupancy, contained in one unit, or in two or more units designed to be joined into one integral unit capable of again being separated for repeated towing, which arrives at a site complete and ready for occupancy except for minor and incidental unpacking and assembly operations, and constructed so that it may be used without a permanent foundation. For the purposes of this chapter, travel trailers are not considered as mobile homes.
A parcel of land in a mobile home park, improved with the necessary utility connections and other appurtenances necessary for the erections thereon of a single mobile home.
A parcel or contiguous parcels of land which has been so designated and improved that it contains two or more mobile home lots for the placement thereon of mobile homes.
[Amended 5-24-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-4]
A body politic and corporate created pursuant to the Act of May 2, 1945 (P.L. 382, No. 164), known as the “Municipality Authorities Act of 1945,” or created pursuant to the current provisions of the Municipality Authorities Act (53 Pa.C.S.A. § 5601 et seq.).
Act of Assembly of July 31, 1968, P.L. 805, as amended.[5]
A flood that, on the average, is likely to occur once every 100 years (i.e., that has one-percent chance of occurring each year, although the flood may occur in any year).
Any parcel or area of land or water essentially unimproved and set aside, dedicated or reserved for resource protection, public or private use and enjoyment, or for the use and enjoyment of owners and occupants of land adjoining or neighboring such open space. Open space shall not include land occupied by nonrecreational structures, roads, street rights-of-way, parking lots, land reserved for future parking, or any portion of required minimum lot areas as required by this chapter.
Land within or related to a development, not individually owned or dedicated for public use, which is designed and intended for the common use or enjoyment of the residents of the development and may include such complementary structures and improvements as may be required and/or appropriate.
An individual, partnership, public or private association or corporation, firm, trust, estate, municipality, governmental unit, public utility or any other legal entity whatsoever which is recognized by law as the subject of rights and duties.
[Amended 12-10-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-004]
A complete and exact plan, prepared by a licensed engineer or surveyor, prepared for official recording showing right-of-way lines, easements, lot dimensions with bearings, lot numbers, and any other relevant information pertaining to the street and lot subdivision or land development. The final plan shall include improvement construction documents prepared by a licensed engineer where applicable. Final plans must show typical cross section of streets and the horizontal and vertical details (plan profiles of all streets, drainage facilities, sanitary sewers, water mains, fire hydrants, streetlights, and all underground and aboveground utility conduits and poles).
The Hilltown Township Planning Commission.
A plan prepared by a licensed engineer and/or surveyor showing the existing features of a tract and its surroundings and proposed street and lot layout within and adjacent to the subdivision or land development, as a basis for consideration prior to preparation of a final plan. Preliminary plan shall include improvement construction documents prepared by a licensed engineer (where applicable). Preliminary plan must show typical cross section of the streets and the horizontal and vertical details (plan-profiles of all streets, drainage facilities, sanitary sewers, water mains, fire hydrants, street lights, and all underground and above ground utility conduits and poles).
An informal plan indicating salient existing features of a tract and it surroundings and a general layout of the proposed subdivision or land development, to be used as the basis of informal discussions between representatives of the Township and the subdivider or land developer.
A plan approved by the Bucks Conservation District for controlling erosion and sediment during construction which shall provide all steps, including scheduling, to assure erosion and sediment control during all phases of construction, including final stabilization.
A map or plan of subdivision or land development whether sketch, preliminary or final.
Any parks, playgrounds, trails, paths or other recreational areas; any water or sewer collection, transportation or treatment facilities; all street, sidewalk, curb or other roadway facilities to be dedicated; and any drainage or utility easement areas to be dedicated to the Township. Any public improvements required by ordinance or otherwise to be constructed and dedicated to the Township.
A formal meeting held pursuant to public notice by the Board of Supervisors or Planning Commission of the Township, intended to inform and obtain public comment, prior to taking action in accordance with this chapter.
[Amended 5-24-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-4]
A forum held pursuant to notice under the Act of October 15, 1998 (P.L. 729, No. 93), known as the “Sunshine Act” (65 Pa.C.S.A. § 701 et seq.).
Notice published once each week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in Hilltown Township. Such notice shall state the time and place of the hearing and the particular nature of the matter to be considered at the hearing. The first publication shall not be more than 30 days and the second publication shall not be less than seven days from the date of the hearing.
The following definitions apply to the recreation facilities required by § 140-47 of this chapter:
TOT LOT- A confined, developed, neighborhood play area primarily for use by preschool children under the supervision of parents or guardian.
PLAYFIELD- A common area within a subdivision or land development for neighborhood residents to use for informal, active recreation purposes such a ball games and other activities requiring a large lawn area, away from homes or other buildings for their proper conduct.
BASKETBALL COURT- A complete basketball facility including paved, standard-sized court area, with posts, backboards, and baskets at both ends of the court.
TENNIS COURT- A complete tennis facility, including paved, standard-sized court area, posts, net and fencing around its perimeter.
SWIMMING POOL- A complete swimming facility including the pool, surrounding paved deck, lawn area, lifeguard and bathroom facilities, and appropriate mechanical equipment.
A narrow parcel of ground having inadequate area for building purposes separating a street or a proposed street from other adjacent properties.
Any subdivision or transfer of land, laid out on a plan which has been approved by the Board of Supervisors which changes or proposes to change property lines and/or public rights-of-way not in strict accordance with the approved plan.
A basin designed to retain stormwater runoff so that a permanent pool is established.
A strip of land occupied or intended to be occupied by a street, sidewalk, alley, utilities or other similar use.
The surface water discharge or rate of discharge of a given watershed after a fall of rain or snow that does not enter the soil but runs off the surface of the land; that part of precipitation which flows over the land.
Solid material, both mineral and organic, that is in suspension, has been transported, or has been moved from its site of origin by water.
The process by which mineral or organic material is accumulated or deposited by the movement of wind and water, or by gravity. Once this matter is deposited, or remains suspended in water, it is usually referred to as “sediment.”
Crushed stone backfill graded in accordance with PennDOT Form 408.
Earth backfill material free of organics and other objectionable material being a well graded mixture of rock and soil with no particle size greater than eight inches.
The minimum distance that a building must be held back from an adjacent lot line, depending on the applicable zoning district, or the minimum distance from the ultimate right-of-way, depending on the applicable street, road or highway.
A system, whether publicly or privately owned, for the collection of sewage or nonhazardous industrial wastes of a liquid nature from two or more lots, and for the treatment or disposal of the sewage or industrial waste on one or more of the lots or at any other site.
A system of piping, tanks or other facilities serving a single lot and collecting and disposing of sewage in whole or in part into the soil or into waters of the commonwealth or by means of conveyance to another site for final disposal.
Includes “safe sight distance,” “safe stopping site distance,” “passing sight distance,” and “decision site distance” as defined and regulated by Pennsylvania Code Title 67, Chapter 441, and PennDOT Design Manual, Part 2, Publication 13. Sight distance for intersection of streets, alleys, and driveways shall be measured (unobstructed) from a point 10 feet back from edge of pavement at a height of 3.5 feet above the pavement surface to another point six inches above the pavement surface.
A parcel or parcels of land intended to have one or more buildings or intended to be subdivided into one or more lots.
The face of an embankment of cut section; any ground whose surface makes an angle with the plane of the horizon. Slopes are usually expressed in a percentage based upon vertical difference in feet per 100 feet of horizontal distance.
A field test conducted to determine the absorption capacity of soil to a specified depth in a given location for the purpose of determining suitability of soil for on-site sewage disposal.
Areas subject to periodic flooding listed in the Official Soil Survey provided by the United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Web Soil Survey (http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/), as soils having a flood frequency other than none.
[Added 1-26-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-004]
[Amended 12-10-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-004]
Includes street, avenue, boulevard, road, highway, freeway, parkway, lane, viaduct, alley, or any other ways used or intended to be used by vehicular traffic or pedestrians whether public or private which are identified on the legally adopted Township street or highway plan or the Official Map together with all necessary appurtenances, including bridges, rights-of-way and traffic control improvements. The term shall not include the interstate highway system.
EXPRESSWAY- Highways designed for large volumes of high-speed traffic with access limited to grade-separated intersections.
ARTERIAL- Those serving large volumes of comparatively high-speed and long-distance traffic, and includes facilities classified as main and secondary highways by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
COLLECTOR- Streets which give minimal emphasis to travel mobility; are characterized by low travel speeds, full land access, neighborhood penetration; and serve minor traffic generators such as local elementary schools, small individual industrial plants, offices, commercial facilities and warehouses not served by arterials. Collector streets arc further classified as minor or major.
LOCAL ACCESS- Those used primarily to provide access to abutting properties.
MARGINAL ACCESS- Minor streets, parallel and adjacent to arterial streets providing access to abutting properties and control of intersections with the arterial street.
CUL-DE-SAC- A minor street intersecting another street at one end terminated at the other by a vehicular turnaround.
Any man-made object having an ascertainable stationary location on or in land or water, whether or not affixed to the land.
The division or redivision of a lot, tract or parcel of land by any means into two or more lots, tracts, parcels or other divisions of land, including changes in existing lot lines for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of lease, partition by the court for distribution to heirs or devisees, transfer of ownership or building or lot development; provided, however, that the subdivision by lease of land for agricultural purposes into parcels of more than 10 acres, not involving any new street or easement, access, or any residential dwelling, shall be exempted.
Where, in the judgment of the Township Engineer, at least 90% (based on the cost of the required improvements for which financial security was posted pursuant to the requirements of this chapter) of those improvements required as a condition for final approval have been completed in accordance with the approved plan, so that the project will be able to be used, occupied or operated for its intended use.
A licensed surveyor registered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
A low-lying stretch of land characterized as a depression used to carry surface water runoff.
Surface soils and subsurface soils which normally are fertile soils and soil material, ordinarily rich in organic matter or humus debris. Topsoil is usually found in the uppermost soil layer called the A Horizon.
Any lot, tract or parcel of land which has not been graded or in any other manner improved.
A part of the property, structure or building designed or intended for any type of independent use, which has direct exit to a public street or way, or to an easement or right-of-way leading to a public street or way, and includes a proportionate undivided interest in the common elements, which is assigned to the property, structure or building.
An intermittent or perennial stream of water, river, brook, creek, or swale identified on USGS mapping or SCS mapping; and/or delineated waters of the commonwealth.
[Amended 5-22-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-6]
Any water works, water supply works, water distribution system or part thereof, designed, intended or constructed to provide or distribute potable water.
An inventory of the source, quantity, yield and use of groundwater and surface water resources within Hilltown Township.
Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions, including swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas. The term also includes but is not limited to wetland areas listed in the State Water Plan, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Wetlands Inventory of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Coastal Zone Management Plan and a wetland area designated by a river basin commission.
The process by which wetland limits are determined. Wetlands must be delineated by a qualified specialist according to the 1989 Federal Manuals (as amended) for the Delineation of Jurisdictional Wetlands (whichever is greater) or according to any subsequent federal or state regulation. “Qualified specialist” shall include those persons being certified professional soil scientists as registered with Registry of Certified Professionals in Agronomy Crops and Soils (ARCPACS); or as contained on consultant’s list of Pennsylvania Association of Professional Soil Scientists (PAPSS); or as registered with National Society of Consulting Soil Scientists (NSCSS), or as certified by state and/or federal certification programs; or by a qualified biologist/ecologist.
Areas, groves, or stands of mature or largely mature trees the majority of which are greater than six inches caliper measured four feet above grade covering an area greater than 1/4 acre; or groves of mature trees without regard to minimum area consisting of more than 10 individual specimens which are greater than 12 inches caliper measured four feet above grade.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former definition of "Alluvial Soils (Floodplain Soils)," which immediately followed this definition, was repealed 1-26-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-004.
[2]
Editor's Note: Former definitions of "Floodplain (General Floodplain)," "Floodplain Soils," "Floodproofing," "Floodway" and "Floodway Fringe," which immediately followed this definition were repealed 1-26-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-004.
[3]
Editor's Note: Former definition of "Identified Floodplain Area," which immediately followed this definition, was repealed 1-26-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-004.
[4]
Editor’s Note: See 53 P.S. § 65101 et seq.
[5]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.