Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following
terms shall, for the purpose of these regulations, have the meaning
indicated:
A.Â
Words in the singular include the plural and those
in the plural include the singular.
B.Â
Words in the present tense include the future tense.
C.Â
The words "person", "developer", "subdivider", and
"owner" include a corporation, unincorporated association, a partnership,
or other legal entity, as well as an individual.
D.Â
The word "building" includes structure and shall be
construed as if followed by the phrase "or part thereof".
E.Â
The words "should" and "may" are permissive; the words
"shall" and "will" are mandatory and directive.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
A landowner or developer, as hereinafter defined, who has
filed an application for development including his heirs, successors
and assigns.
Property bounded on one side by a street, and the other three
sides by a street, railroad right-of-way, waterway, unsubdivided area,
or other definite barrier.
A detached subordinate building, the use of which is customarily
incidental and subordinate to that of the principal building, and
which is located on the same lot as that occupied by the principal
building.
A structure enclosed within exterior walls or fire walls;
built, erected, and framed of component structural parts; designed
for the housing, shelter, enclosure, and support of individuals, animals,
or property of any kind; main structure on a given lot.
The line parallel to the street line at a distance therefrom
equal to the depth of any yard setbacks required for the district
in which the lot is located.
An underground reservoir or tank for storing rainwater.
An area of unobstructed vision at street intersections defined
by lines of sight between points at a given distance from the intersection
of the street center lines.
In a Karst area, a distinctive bowl-shaped depression in
the land surface. It is characterized by internal drainage, varying
magnitude, and an unbroken ground surface.
A parcel or parcels of land, an area of water, or a combination
of land and water within a development site designed and intended
for the use of residents of the development, not including streets,
off-street parking area, private yard space, and areas set aside for
nonresidential and public facilities. Common open space shall be substantially
free of structures, but may contain such improvements as are appropriate
for recreational use by the residents.
The maps, charts, and textual material adopted by the municipality
in accordance with the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code and
designated, as a whole and in its several parts, as a comprehensive
plan for the continuing development of the municipality.
A pipe, conduit or similar structure including appurtenant
works which carries surface water.
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.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (formerly
the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources).
The magnitude of precipitation from a storm event measured
in probability of occurrence (e.g., fifty-year storm) and duration
(e.g., twenty-four-hour), and used in computing stormwater management
control systems.
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.
A lot extending between and having frontage on two generally
parallel streets with vehicular access from only one street.
A right granted by a landowner to a grantee allowing the
use of private land for stormwater management purposes.
The documentation of the proposed stormwater management controls,
if any, to be used for a given development site.
Any room or group of rooms located within a building and
forming a single habitable unit, with facilities which are used or
intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking and eating by one
family.
A right-of-way granted, but not dedicated, for limited use
of private land and for a public or quasi-public purpose, and within
which the owner of the property shall not erect any permanent structures,
but shall have the right to make any other use of the land which is
not inconsistent with the rights of the grantee.
A professional engineer licensed as such in the commonwealth
of Pennsylvania.
The removal of surface materials by the action of natural
elements.
A plan designed to prevent on-site accelerated erosion and
off-site sedimentation through the use of vegetative or mechanical
controls. Control measures must be designed to fit the topography,
soils, rainfall and land use of the area they are to protect. The
plan includes as a minimum: a) a map or maps describing the topography
of the area, the proposed alteration to the area and the specific
erosion and sedimentation control measures and facilities; and b)
a narrative report describing the project and giving the purpose and
the engineering assumptions and calculations for control measures
and facilities.
A lot with direct frontage on a public road which does not
meet the required lot width at the minimum required front yard setback
line, which consists of an access lane with a minimum width of 25
feet and a rectangular area, the dimensions of which exceed the minimum
lot width requirement as established in the municipal zoning ordinance,
if any.
That portion of the floodplain outside the floodway.
The flood having a one-percent chance of being equaled or
exceeded in any given year.
The area of normally dry land along a natural watercourse
which is periodically inundated by water therefrom.
The channel of a watercourse and the adjacent land areas
that must be reserved in order to discharge the one-hundred-year flood.
The regulatory floodway is designated on the flood boundary and floodway
map of the municipality's flood insurance study prepared by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency.
The incremental depth in a stormwater management structure
provided as a safety factor of design above that required to convey
the design runoff event.
Replenishment of existing natural underground water supplies.
Surfaces which do not absorb water, moisture or rain and
the term includes but is not limited to, roofs, buildings, parking
areas, driveways, streets, roads, and any areas covered by concrete
or asphalt and stormwater detention and retention ponds.
Those physical additions and changes to the land that may
be necessary to produce usable and desirable lots.
A structure designed to direct runoff into the ground, e.g.,
french drain, seepage pit or seepage trench.
Any of the following activities: (1) 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 the purpose of streets, common
areas, leaseholds, condominiums, building groups or other features;
2) a subdivision of land.
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 having a
remaining term of not less than 40 years, or other person having a
proprietary interest in land, shall be deemed to be a landowner for
the purpose of this chapter.
Any natural channel or man-made conveyance system which has
the purpose of transporting runoff from the site to the mainstem.
A designated parcel, tract or area of land established by
a plat or otherwise as permitted by law and to be used, developed
or built upon as a unit.
The area contained within the property line of a lot (as
shown on the plan), excluding space within all streets and within
all permanent drainage easements, but including the areas of all other
easements.
The lowest floor of the lowest enclosed area (including basement).
An unfinished or flood-resistant enclosure, usable solely for parking
of vehicles, building access or storage, in an area other than a basement
area, is not considered a building's lowest floor, provided that such
enclosure is not built so as to render the structure in violation
of the applicable nonelevation design requirements of this chapter.
Any stream segment or other conveyance used as a reach in
the hydrologic model.
Security in a form in accord with the provisions set forth
in the Municipalities Planning Code, as amended, which insures the
structural integrity of the improvements as well as the functioning
of said improvements in accordance with the design and specifications
as depicted on the final plat for a period not to exceed 18 months
after the acceptance of said improvements by the Borough of Coopersburg.
A method for calculation of velocity of flow (e.g., feet
per second) and flow rate (e.g., cubic feet per second) in open channels
based upon channel shape, roughness, depth of flow and slope. Open
channels may include closed conduits so long as the flow is not under
pressure.
A metal pipe No. 4 (1/2 inch) or No. 5 (5/8 inch) rebar at
least 30 inches in length.
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.
That part of an individual lot which has been reserved for
the placement of the mobile home, appurtant structures or additions.
A tapered concrete marker at least four inches by four inches
square or four inches in diameter and at least 30 inches in length
and marked with a round metal cap, rebar or drilled hole.
The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act 1988-170,
as amended.
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Regulations.
Natural Resource Conservation Service, U.S. Department of
Agriculture. (Formerly, the Soil Conservation Service.)
A highway that has been assigned an interstate, United States,
or Pennsylvania route number to aid motorists in their travels.
The municipal map adopted by ordinance showing exact locations
of existing and proposed lines for public streets, watercourses and
public grounds, including widenings, narrowings, extensions, diminutions,
opening or closing of same for the entire municipality.
A comprehensive plan for the provision of adequate sewage
systems adopted by a municipality or municipalities possessing authority
or jurisdiction over the provision of such systems and submitted to
and approved by the State Department of Environmental Protection,
as provided by the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act, and Chapter
71, Rules and Regulations promulgated thereunder.
The portion of a street right-of-way, generally paved, intended
for vehicular use.
The maximum rate of flow of stream runoff at a given location
and time resulting from a specified storm event.
The computer-based hydrologic modeling technique used in
early Act 167 Plans. PSRM was also updated to include water quality
modeling capabilities and renamed PSRM-QUAL. The PSRM and PSRM-QUAL
calculation methodologies were used as the basis for writing the watershed
model.
Security in a form in accord with the provisions set forth
in the Municipalities Planning Code, as amended, to guarantee that
the proper construction of improvements be made by the developer as
a condition for the approval of the plan.
An initial submission, by the developer, of maps and other
materials analyzing the natural features of the site as they relate
to its development potential. The proposed concept for development
of the tract is included in the submission.
A complete and exact plan prepared for official recording
as required by this chapter to define property rights, streets and
other proposed improvements.
A tentative plan, in lesser detail than a final plan, showing
proposed streets and lot layout and such other information as required
by this chapter.
The copy of the final plan bearing the original endorsements
of the Borough of Coopersburg, which is intended to be recorded with
the County Recorder of Deeds.
A document to be prepared by the developer or subdivider,
accepted by the municipality, and submitted to the Pennsylvania Department
of Environmental Protection to provide proposed development data in
order to supplement or revise the municipality's official plan for
sewage facilities.
A method of peak runoff calculation using a standardized
runoff coefficient (rational "c"), acreage of tract and rainfall intensity
determined by return period and by the time necessary for the entire
tract to contribute runoff. The rational formula is stated as follows:
Q = ciA, where "Q" is the calculated peak flow rate in cubic feet
per second, "c" is the dimensionless runoff coefficient (see Attachment
C[1]), "i" is the rainfall intensity in inches per hour, and
"A" is the area of the tract in acres.
Any of the natural or man-made runoff conveyance channels
used for modeling purposes to connect the subareas and transport flows
downstream.
A licensed surveyor registered by the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The percentage of the predevelopment peak rate of runoff
for a development site to which the postdevelopment peak rate of runoff
must be controlled to avoid peak flow increases throughout the watershed.
Any replatting or resubdivision of land, limited to changes
in lot lines on approved final plans or recorded plans as specified
in this chapter. Other replattings shall be considered as constituting
a new subdivision of land. See also "subdivision."
The average interval in years over which an event of a given
magnitude can be expected to recur. For example, the twenty-five-year
return period rainfall or runoff event would be expected to recur
on the average once every twenty-five years.
The total width of any land reserved or dedicated as a street,
sidewalk, or for other public or quasi-public purposes.
That part of precipitation which flows over land.
A sanitary sewage collection system in which sewage is carried
from individual lots by a system of pipes to a central treatment and
disposal plant, commonly called a "package treatment plant," generally
serving a single land development, subdivision, or neighborhood, and
operated by a governmental agency, governmental authority, public
utility company, or a developer.
Any structure designed to treat sanitary sewage within the
boundaries of an individual lot.
A sanitary sewage collection system in which sewage is carried
from individual lots by a system of pipes to a central treatment and
disposal plant, generally serving a major portion of a municipality
or municipalities, and operated by a governmental agency, governmental
authority, or public utility company.
The process by which mineral or organic matter is accumulated
or deposited by moving wind, water, or gravity. Once this matter is
deposited (or remains suspended in water), it is usually referred
to as "sediment."
An area of excavated earth filled with loose stone or similar
material and into which surface water is directed for infiltration
into the ground.
The municipal official who issues and reviews permit applications
and conducts investigations and inspections as are necessary to implement
Act 537 and the rules and regulations thereunder.
The required length of roadway visible to the driver of a
motor vehicle at any given point on the roadway when the view is unobstructed
by traffic. Sight distance measurements shall be made from a point
3.75 feet above the center line of the road surface to a point 0.5
feet above the center line of the road surface.
The face of an embankment or 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 method of runoff computation developed by NRCS which is
based upon relating soil type and land use/cover to a runoff parameter
called a curve number.
A reservoir routing procedure based on solution of the continuity
equation (inflow minus outflow equals the change in storage for a
given time interval) and based on outflow being a unique function
of storage volume.
Areas which lack adequate stormwater collection and/or conveyance
facilities and which present a hazard to persons or property.
All facilities and features, such as pipes, culverts, open
channels, ditches, swales, and stormwater detention facilities, used
to transmit or temporarily store surface water runoff.
A system of pipes or other conduits which carries intercepted
surface runoff, street water and other wash waters, or drainage, but
excludes domestic sewage and industrial wastes.
Basins, ponds, ponding areas, depressions or other structures
or features used to temporarily store rainfall and release it at a
controlled rate.
The plan for managing stormwater runoff adopted by Coopersburg
Borough, for each watershed, as required by the Act of October 4,
1978, P.L. 864, (Act 167), as amended, and known as the Stormwater
Management Act.
A watercourse.
A strip of land, including the entire right-of-way (i.e.,
not limited to the cartway) intended for use as a means of vehicular
and pedestrian circulation to provide access to more than one lot.
The word "street" includes street, avenue, boulevard, road, highway,
freeway, parkway, alley, viaduct, and any other ways used or intended
to be used by vehicular traffic or pedestrians whether public or private.
Streets are further classified according to the functions they perform:
ARTERIAL STREET- A street serving a large volume of comparatively high-speed and long distance traffic, including all facilities classified as main and secondary highways by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
COLLECTOR STREET- A street which, in addition to providing access to abutting properties, intercepts local streets to provide a route giving access to community facilities and/or other collector and arterial streets (streets in industrial and commercial subdivisions shall generally be considered collector streets).
LOCAL STREET- A street used primarily to provide access to abutting properties.
CUL-DE-SAC STREET- A local street intersecting another street at one end, and terminating in a vehicular turn-around at the other.
HALF (PARTIAL) STREET- A street, generally parallel and adjacent to a property line, having a lesser right-of-way width than normally required for improvement and use of the street.
MARGINAL ACCESS STREET- A local street, parallel and adjacent to a major street (but separated from it by a reserve strip) which provides access to abutting properties and control of intersections with the major street.
ALLEY- A minor right-of-way providing secondary vehicular access to the side or rear of two or more properties. All streets with a right-of-way width of less than 30 feet are alleys.
Any man-made object having an ascertainable stationary location
on or in land or water, whether or not affixed to the land.
The smallest unit of watershed breakdown for hydrologic modeling
purposes for which the runoff control criteria have been established
in each stormwater management plan.
The division or redivision of a lot, tract or parcel of land
by any means into two or more lots, tracts, or 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 division of land for agricultural purposes
into parcels of more than 10 acres, not involving any new street,
easement of access, or residence, shall be exempted.
MINOR SUBDIVISION- A residential subdivision which does not and will not in the future involve more than a total of three lots, including the residue parcel, and does not involve the provision of any new street or easement for access. Such subdivision applications shall be processed in accordance with the provisions contained above.
Any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement
of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the market
value of the structure before the "start of construction" of the improvement.
A low-lying stretch of natural or man-made land which gathers
or carries surface water runoff.
Soil tests and percolation tests conducted by the Municipal
Sewage Enforcement Officer in compliance with Chapter 73 of Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection Regulations in order to determine
whether a permit may be issued for installation of on-lot sewage disposal
systems.
Surface soils and subsurface soils which presumably 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 channel or conveyance of surface water having defined
bed and banks, whether natural or artificial, with perennial or intermittent
flow.
The computer-based hydrologic modeling technique adapted
to the Little Lehigh Creek watershed for the Act 167 Plan update.
This model was written by Tarsi Software Laboratories and uses the
same algorithms found in the Penn State Runoff Quality Model (PSRM-QUAL).
The model has been calibrated to reflect actual flow values by adjusting
key model input parameters.
A system for supplying and distributing water from a common
source to two or more dwellings and/or other buildings, generally
serving a single land development, subdivision, or neighborhood, and
operated by a governmental agency, governmental authority, public
utility company or a developer.
A system for supplying and distributing water to a single
dwelling or other building from a source located on the same lot.
A system for supplying and distributing water from a common
source to dwellings and other buildings, generally serving a major
portion of a municipality or municipalities, and operated by a governmental
agency, governmental authority, or a public utility company.
