Definitions. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the
following words shall, for the purposes of this chapter, have the
meanings herein stated:
CUT
An excavation; the difference between a point on the original
ground and a designated point of lower elevation on the final grade;
also, the material removed in excavation.
DISCHARGE
The outflow of water, silt or other mobile substances passing
along a conduit, watercourse or channel or released from any type
of detention or stormwater management feature.
EARTH-DISTURBANCE ACTIVITY
Certain paving, filling, stripping, grading, regrading, cutting,
removal of vegetation or natural ground covers, excavation, digging
or earth moving undertaken by an individual on private or public property
as hereinafter set forth.
EROSION
The processes by which soil particles are detached and transported
by action of natural forces.
FILL
(1)
The act by which earth, sand, gravel, rock or
any other material is deposited in a new location above the natural
surface of the ground or on top of the stripped surface, and shall
include the conditions resulting therefrom.
(2)
The difference in elevation between a point
on the original ground and a designated point of higher elevation
in the final grade.
(3)
The material used to make a fill.
LAND DEVELOPMENT
(1)
The improvement of one or more lots, tracts
or parcels of land for any purpose involving a group of two or more
buildings or other improvements; or the division or allocation of
land by means of or for the purpose of streets, common areas, leaseholds,
building groups or other features.
(2)
A division of land into lots for the purpose
of conveying such lots, singly or in groups, to any person, partnership
or corporation for the purpose of erection of buildings or other improvements
by such persons, partnership or corporation.
RUNOFF
That portion of the precipitation on a drainage area that
is discharged from the area. Types include surface runoff, surface
groundwater runoff and seepage.
SEDIMENTATION
The processes by which solid particles are deposited by the
action of natural forces.
SLOPE
The degree of deviation of a surface from the horizontal,
usually expressed in percentage or degrees. A steep slope shall be
considered any slope with a deviation of 15% or more.
SOIL STABILIZATION
Chemical, physical or structural treatment of a mass of soil
to increase or maintain its stability or otherwise improve its engineering
properties.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT FEATURE (FACILITY)
Any element in a stormwater management system which is made
or improved by man. Two special facilities of this nature are:
(1)
DETENTION PONDSBasins designed for storage of stormwater to reduce peak discharges. They are characterized by shorter detention periods, and are normally dry except for short periods following the storm event.
(2)
RETENTION PONDSBasins designed for impoundment of stormwater to reduce peak discharges. They are usually wet all of the time but are designed to store excess stormwater above the normal pool elevation. Release rates are usually more gradual over an extended period of time.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
The facilities used for conducting stormwater to, through
or from a drainage area to the point of final outlet, including but
not limited to any of the following: conduits and appurtenant features,
canals, channels, swales, ditches, streams, culverts, streets, pumping
stations, ponds and basins.
SUBDIVISION
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, transfer of ownership of building
or lot. There are two categories of subdivision:
(1)
MINOR SUBDIVISIONA division or development of land involving no new streets or easements. These would include the division of one lot, parcel or tract into no more than four lots, or the readjustment of lot line on previously subdivided property.
(2)
MAJOR SUBDIVISIONAll other subdivisions that are not covered under the definition of a minor subdivision.