The purpose of this chapter is to assure sites
suitable for building purposes and human habitation and to provide
for:
A.Â
The harmonious development of the Township of Springfield;
B.Â
The coordination of existing streets, roads and alleys
with proposed streets, roads, alleys, parks, sewers or other features
of the Township's official plans of streets, roads and alleys;
C.Â
Adequate open spaces for traffic, recreation, light
and air;
D.Â
Proper distribution of population;
E.Â
The establishment of minimum landscaping requirements
applicable to various land uses in Springfield Township, which requirements
are designed to preserve and enhance the natural amenities of the
Township; to avoid danger and congestion and to promote safety in
vehicular traffic and parking areas; to provide buffer strips around
parking areas and between noncomplementary commercial, industrial
and residential areas; to retard erosion, glare and heat; to stimulate
groundwater recharge, air purification and oxygen regeneration; to
aid in noise abatement; and to provide that the effect of future development
in the Township shall not unreasonably interfere with the enjoyment
of neighboring properties or with the natural environmental setting
that is one of the Township's chief assets; thereby creating conditions
favorable to the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the
citizens of the Township.
[Added 10-8-1975 by Ord. No. 645]
[Amended 2-13-1974 by Ord. No. 633]
This chapter shall be known and may be cited
as the "Springfield Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance
of 1950, as amended."
For the purpose of this chapter, the terms used
herein are defined as follows:
A right-of-way serving the entrance of more than two properties
and on which no dwellings or stores shall front.
The Board of Township Commissioners of Springfield Township.
A measurement of the size of the tree equal to the diameter
of its trunk measured six inches above grade.
[Added 7-8-1992 by Ord. No. 786]
That portion of a street or road between curblines which
is designed to be used by moving and parked vehicles.
A minimum right-of-way of 50 feet with a minimum paved cartway
of 30 feet between curbs with concrete curbs and concrete sidewalk
paving.
Grass or nondeciduous low-growing plants installed or planted
in such a manner as to form a continuous cover over the ground.
[Added 10-8-1975 by Ord. No. 645]
The whole or any part of any public street or avenue, public
road, bridge or culvert, and shall include the cartway, gutter, curb,
sidewalk and the whole legal width of the right-of-way.
[Added 2-13-1974 by Ord. No.
633; amended 6-13-2001 by Ord. No. 848]
Any of the following activities:
The improvement of one lot 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 proposed 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.
Any vegetation existing on a tract of land or planted or
installed during land development.
[Added 7-8-1992 by Ord. No. 786]
A paved area used by vehicles to transfer materials to or
from structures or storage areas.
[Added 7-8-1992 by Ord. No. 786]
A main traffic artery connecting two or more municipalities
or other communities.
A three-inch layer of shredded bark, licorice root or other
organic material spread on the ground around plants to prevent erosion
and to conserve moisture.
[Added 7-8-1992 by Ord. No. 786]
Any nonindigenous introduced species which has adapted successfully
and noninvasively and has established a self-sustaining population.
[Added 7-8-1992 by Ord. No. 786]
A person who is the registered owner of real estate to be
subdivided and/or developed as provided in this chapter.
An individual or individuals, partnership or corporation.
Any area designed for landscaping having a minimum area of
50 square feet.
[Added 10-8-1975 by Ord. No. 645]
Any trees, shrubs or other vegetation required for use in buffers along property boundaries or streets as street trees or in and around parking areas as specified in § 95-11I of this chapter.
[Added 7-8-1992 by Ord. No. 786]
A public right-of-way for travel.
A woody perennial plant having persistent woody stems, branching
from the base.
[Added 10-8-1975 by Ord. No. 645]
The area of a triangle whose legs are the sides of the cartway
and an accessway which intersects with it, each being not less than
10 feet long from the point of intersection, and whose hypotenuse
connects two legs.
[Added 10-8-1975 by Ord. No. 645]
Any tree with a caliper that is 75% or more of the record
tree of the same species in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
[Added 7-8-1992 by Ord. No. 786]
A public right-of-way in a subdivision or a built-up community.
Anything constructed, installed or portable, the use of which
requires a location on a parcel of land. It includes a moveable building
which can be used for housing, business, commercial, agricultural,
industrial or office purposes, either temporarily or permanently.
"Structure" also includes fences, swimming pools, tennis courts, poles,
pipelines, transmission lines and cables, tracks, signs, sheds and
other accessory construction.
The division of a single lot, tract or parcel of land, or
a part thereof, into two or more lots, tracts or parcels of land,
including changes in street lines or lot lines for the purpose, whether
immediate or future, of transfer of ownership or of building development;
provided, however, that divisions of land for agricultural purposes
in parcels of more than 10 acres, not involving any new street or
easement of access, shall be exempted.
A minimum right-of-way of 50 feet with a minimum paved cartway
of 30 feet between curbs with concrete curbs and concrete sidewalk
paving.
A friable loam, typical for the locality, capable of sustaining
vigorous plant growth. Topsoil shall be taken from a well-drained
site and shall be of uniform quality, free of subsoil, clay or impurities,
plants, weeds and roots or other undesirable material. It shall contain
at least 5% organic matter, and shall have an acidity range of 5.0
pH to 7.0 pH.
[Added 7-8-1992 by Ord. No. 786]
Any woody plant that has a single well-defined stem of at
least three inches in caliper at maturity.
[Added 10-8-1975 by Ord. No. 645; amended 7-8-1992 by Ord. No.
786]
Any tree that, when mature, forms the uppermost leaves or
needles in a wooded area.
[Added 7-8-1992 by Ord. No. 786]
Any tree that is not a canopy tree.
[Added 7-8-1992 by Ord. No. 786]
Trees, shrubs, vines, ground covers, grass, plants, bulbs
and other growing flora.
[Added 7-8-1992 by Ord. No. 786]
[Added 10-8-1975 by Ord. No.
645; repealed 7-8-1992 by Ord. No. 786]
Any nonindigenous introduced species which has adapted successfully
and noninvasively.
[Added 7-8-1992 by Ord. No. 786]
