Definitions. The following words and phrases shall
have the meanings hereinafter indicated unless the text clearly states
an alternative or different meaning.
AASHTO
The American Association of Transportation Officials.
ACCESS POINT
One combined ingress/egress point or one clearly defined
ingress point and one clearly defined egress point separated by an
appropriate distance.
ADT
Average daily trips. The phrase "average daily trips" shall
refer to the number of vehicles per day that pass by a given point.
ALLEY
A public or private thoroughfare, with a right-of-way of
24 feet or less, which affords only a secondary means of access to
abutting property and not intended for general traffic circulation.
ALLUVIAL SOILS
Water deposited soils including, but not limited to:
(2)
Atkins Silt Loam, Local Alluvial (AkA).
(3)
Huntington Silt Loam (Hn).
(6)
Melvin Silt Loam, Local Alluvial (MkA).
APPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT
Every application required to be filed and approved prior
to start of construction or development including, but not limited
to, an application for a building permit or for the approval of a
land development or subdivision.
ARTERIAL STREET OR HIGHWAY
A major regional highway designed to carry heavy vehicular
traffic into, out of or through a regional area.
BERM
A natural or man-made mound of soil.
BLOCK
A tract of land or a lot or groups of lots, bounded by streets,
public parks, or parkways, railroad rights-of-way, watercourses, or
body of water, unsubdivided land or a boundary line or lines of the
Township.
BUFFER
An area within a property or site, generally adjacent to
and parallel with a property line, either consisting of natural existing
vegetation or created by the use of trees, shrubs, fences and/or berms,
designed to limit continuously the view of and/or sound from the site
to adjacent sites or properties.
BUFFER YARD
A continuous strip of land, either landscaped or green space,
clear of all buildings, structures, parking areas, outdoor storage
areas and detention ponds. A buffer yard may include a street or driveway
connecting an access point with the interior side or parts thereof
of a buffer yard by the most direct route but shall not include any
recreation area or a private street or an existing or future public
street right-of-way.
BUILDING, FRONT LINE OF
A line drawn parallel to the front line of a lot at that
portion of the building or structure including sun parlors, covered
porches (but not steps) closest to the front lot line.
BUILDING RESTRICTION LINE
A line which designates the minimum distance between any
building and the adjacent street right-of-way or property line. This
line shall be measured from a point or points formed by the intersection
of a vertical building wall with the ground (or in the case of a cantilevered
building, at the vertical plane which coincides with the most projected
surface), to the street right-of-way or property line.
BUILDING SETBACK LINE, FRONT YARD
The line parallel to the public right-of-way line at a distance equal to the minimum depth of the front yard designated for each district in Chapter
27, Zoning, as amended from time to time. All yards adjacent to a public street right-of-way shall be considered front yards.
BUILDING SETBACK LINE, REAR YARD
The line parallel to the rear lot line and equal to the minimum depth of the rear yard designated for each district in Chapter
27, Zoning, as amended from time to time.
BUILDING SETBACK LINE, SIDE YARD
The line parallel to the side lot line and equal to the minimum depth of the side yard designated for each district in Chapter
27, Zoning, as amended from time to time.
CALIPER
The diameter of a tree trunk measured in inches. The caliper
of a tree trunk shall be measured two feet above the base of the tree.
CAPPED SYSTEM
A completed water supply and/or sewage system put in place
for future use (contingent upon expansion), rather than to meet immediate
development needs.
CARTWAY
That portion of a street, alley or highway used for vehicular
traffic.
CLEAR SIGHT TRIANGLE
An area of unobstructed vision at street intersections defined by the center lines of the streets and by a line of sight between points on such street's center lines at a predetermined distance form the intersection of the center lines. For the purposes of this chapter, the clear sight triangle shall be calculated pursuant to the provision of §
27-91 of Chapter
27, Zoning, as amended from time to time. A clear sight triangle is not a clear sight distance.
CLOSED DEPRESSION
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.
COLLECTOR STREET
A street designed to carry a moderate volume of traffic to
intercept local streets, to provide routes to arterial roads and to
community facilities and to provide a limited amount of access to
the abutting properties.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The official Comprehensive Plan of the Township of Whitehall,
Lehigh County, Pennsylvania of 1972, as amended from time to time.
CONDITIONAL USE
A use permitted in a particular zoning district pursuant to the provisions of §
27-59 of Chapter
27, Zoning, as amended from time to time.
CONSTRUCTION SECURITY
That security posted by a developer to secure the construction
of improvements proposed to be constructed pursuant to an approved
land development plan.
CROSSWALK OR WALKWAY
A right-of-way dedicated to public use to facilitate pedestrian
access through or into a development or subdivision of land or a land
development.
CUL-DE-SAC
A local street which intersects another street at only one
end.
CURB
A vertical or sloping edge along a paved surface.
CUT
(2)
The difference between a point on the original
ground and a designated point of lower elevation on the final grade.
(3)
The material removed during excavation.
DEDICATION
The conveyance of real or personal property from a person
or entity to another person or entity.
DENSITY, GROSS
The maximum number of dwelling units that may be constructed
upon a lot, parcel or tract which number shall be determined by dividing
the total number of dwelling units by the base site area (total amount
of land in the lot, parcel or tract to be developed minus all land
within the existing or proposed street rights-of-way, utility rights-of-way,
easements or land used for stormwater management detention basins).
Density requirements shall be determined in direct proportion to lot
size, i.e., maximum eight units per acre, four units per half acre,
two units per quarter acre.
DEP
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
DESIGN STORM
The magnitude of precipitation from a storm event measured
in probability of occurrence (e.g., 50-year storm) and duration (e.g.,
24-hour), and used in computing stormwater management control systems.
DEVELOPER
Any landowner, agent of such landowner or tenant with the
permission of such landowner, who submits a land development plan
to the Township for approval.
DEVELOPER'S AGENT
Any person or entity authorized, by written agreement of
the developer filed with the Township, to act for the developer.
DEVELOPER'S ESCROW
That cash escrow established by the developer with the Township
to reimburse the Township and Township consultants for the processing
of a land development plan.
DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
Those zoning, subdivision, site plan, official map, floodplain
or other governmental regulations of the Township or other governing
authority having jurisdiction over the development of a lot, parcel
or tract of land.
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
The Bureau Chief of Planning, Zoning and Development of Whitehall
Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.
DRAINAGE
That stormwater, surface water or groundwater removed from
land by a drainage system.
DRAINAGE SYSTEM
A system or a network of systems which remove drainage. For
the purposes of this chapter, the phrase "drainage system" shall include,
but shall not be limited to, watercourses, piping, bodies of water
and wetlands.
DRIVEWAY
A private designated vehicular access way from a road, street,
highway or alley to a home, occupation, building or structure.
DWELLING UNIT
A room or group of rooms located within a residential 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.
EASEMENT
A liberty, privilege or right which one has in the lands
of another for a precise and definite purpose.
EROSION
The removal of soil or other surface material by drainage
or other natural elements.
EXPRESSWAY
A major highway designed for large volumes and high speed
traffic with access limited to grade separated intersections.
FAMILY
One or more persons related by blood, marriage, adoption
or foster relationship, living together as a single housekeeping unit
or a group of not more than five unrelated persons who are living
together in a single, nonprofit dwelling unit and maintaining a common
household with a single cooking facility. The term "family" shall
not include the occupants of a clubhouse, hotel, motel, fraternity
house, dormitory, boarding or rooming house, group home or community
living arrangement.
FILL
(1)
Any act by which earth, sand, gravel, rock or
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 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
on the final grade.
(3)
The material used to make a fill.
FLOOD
A temporary inundation by surface water of land areas not
continually inundated.
FLOOD FRINGE
That portion of the floodplain outside of the floodway.
FLOODPLAIN
A relatively flat or low land area adjoining a river, stream
or watercourse which is subject to a partial or complete inundation
during a 100-year design frequency storm or an area subject to the
accumulation of runoff of surface waters from any source.
FLOODPRONE AREAS
Areas within the 500-year floodplain and areas containing
alluvial soils or any area subject to the unusual and rapid accumulation
of surface water from any source.
FLOODPROOFING
Any combination of structural and nonstructural additions,
changes or adjustments to buildings or structures which reduce or
eliminate flood damage to real estate or improved real estate, water,
sanitary and other utility facilities, structures and their contents.
FLOODWAY
The channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent
land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge flood waters
in a 100-year design frequency storm without cumulatively increasing
the water surface elevation more than one foot at any point.
FRONTAGE
The part of a lot abutting a street right-of-way, commonly
referred to in terms of "feet of frontage."
GLARE, DIRECT
Illumination beyond property lines caused by direct or reflected
rays from incandescent, fluorescent or arc lighting, or from such
high temperature processes as welding or petroleum or metallurgical
refining.
GLARE, INDIRECT
Illumination beyond property lines caused by defuse reflection
from a surface such as a wall or roof of a structure or a billboard.
GRADE
The surface of the ground, lawns, walks or streets adjoining
the exterior walls of any building or structure.
GRADE, FINISHED
The completed surface of the ground, lawns, walks, or streets
adjoining the exterior walls of any building or structure.
GRADING
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.
GROUND COVER
Low growing vegetation including, but not limited to, plants
or sod, which covers an area which prevents erosion and the growth
of unwanted plants.
GUTTER
A shallow channel usually set along a curb or the pavement
edge of a street, alley or highway for purpose of diverting drainage
to a drainage system.
HOP
A highway occupancy permit as issued by the Pennsylvania
Department of Transportation.
HISTORIC SITE
A structure or place of historical significance as determined
by a local, state or federal government.
HYDRIC SOILS
Those poorly drained soils which may or may not be capable
of supporting hydrophytic plants.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
A surface which does not absorb moisture, water or rain and
includes, but is not limited to, roofs, buildings, parking areas,
driveways, streets, any areas covered by concrete or asphalt and stormwater
detention and retention basins.
IMPROVEMENTS
Those physical additions and changes to the land that may
be necessary to produce usable and desirable lots.
IMPROVEMENTS SECURITY
That financial security posted by a developer with the Township,
in the form of cash, letter of credit or approved bond, to guarantee
the construction of proposed improvements by the developer.
INSPECTION SECURITY
That financial security established by the developer with
the Township, in the form of cash, letter of credit or approved bond,
to guarantee the inspection of the improvements proposed to be constructed
by a developer.
ISLAND
With respect to street design or parking area, a raised area,
usually curbed, placed to guide traffic and separate lanes or used
for landscaping, signage or lighting.
KARST AREA
A type of geology that is formed over limestone, dolomite
or gypsum by bedrock solution and that is characterized by closed
depressions or sinkholes, caves and underground drainage.
LAND DEVELOPMENT
Any of the following activities:
(1)
The improvement of two or more contiguous lots,
tracts or parcels of land for any purpose involving:
(a)
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.
(b)
The division or allocation of land or space,
whether initially or cumulative, 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.
(3)
Development, including those types of land development
referenced in § 503(1.1) of the Municipalities Planning
Code, found at 53 P.S. § 10503(1.1).
LAND DEVELOPMENT PLAN
A plan depicting a land development submitted pursuant to
the provisions of this chapter.
LANDOWNER
The legal owner or owners of a lot, parcel or tract of land
including the holder of an option or contract to purchase, a lessee
if authorized under the lease or other written agreement with the
landowner to exercise the rights of the landowner or other person
having a proprietary interest in land.
LANDSCAPING
(1)
Decorative plants including, but not limited
to, trees, shrubs and flowering plants.
(2)
Improving the natural beauty of a tract of land
by grading, clearing or decorative planting.
LCCD
The Lehigh County Conservation District.
LVPC
The Joint Planning Commission of Lehigh and Northampton Counties,
Pennsylvania.
LOADING SPACE
An off-street area used for loading and unloading of goods
and having direct access to a public street or alley.
LOCAL STREET
A street designed to provide access to the abutting properties
and a route to collector streets.
LOOP STREET
A street which intersects only with itself, except for a
single connection with the surrounding road network.
LOT
A parcel or tract of land established by a plat or otherwise
as permitted by law and to be used, developed or built upon as a unit.
LOT AREA
An area of land which is determined by the limits of the
property lines bounding that area and expressed in terms of square
feet or acres. Any portion of a lot included in a street right-of-way
shall not be included in determining lot area.
LOT, CORNER
A lot fronting on two or more streets at such streets' intersection.
LOT COVERAGE
The percentage of a lot covered by all impervious surfaces.
LOT, INTERIOR
A lot fronting on a street and having the rear and all side
lot lines in common with adjacent lots.
LOT LINE
A line forming the front, rear or sides of lots, commonly
referred to as front, rear or side lot lines.
LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT
The alteration of an existing lot line or lines resulting
in the same number of lots in the aggregate. A lot line adjustment
is deemed to be a subdivision and subject to the requirements hereof.
LOT LINE, FRONT
The lot line along a public or private street. In the event
that a lot has more than one such lot line, all such lot lines shall
be deemed front lot lines.
LOT LINE, REAR
Any lot line which is parallel to or within 45° of being
parallel to the front lot line. In the event that a lot has no street
frontage or is a corner lot or a lot of an odd shape, the lot line
farthest from any street shall be considered the rear lot line.
LOT, WIDTH OF
The width of a lot measured at the front building line.
MAIN
In any system of continuous piping, the principal artery
of the system to which branches or laterals may be connected.
MAINTENANCE SECURITY
That financial security established by a developer with the
Township, in the form of cash, letter of credit or approved bond,
to guarantee the structural integrity of dedicated improvements as
well as the functioning of said improvements in accordance with the
design and specifications as depicted on the final plan, for a period
of 18 months.
MAJOR SUBDIVISION
A subdivision of land, lot line adjustment, consolidation,
or other altering of the legal boundaries of a tract of more than
four residentially zoned lots or any nonresidentially zoned land.
[Added 6-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2774]
MANHOLE
An inspection chamber of such size and diameter to allow
easy entry and exit and working room for a person inside.
MAYOR
The elected or appointed chief executive officer of the Township.
[Amended 6-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2776, approved 11-3-2009]
MINOR SUBDIVISION
A subdivision of land, lot line adjustment, consolidation,
or other altering of the legal boundaries of a tract of not more than
four residentially zoned lots.
[Added 6-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2774]
MOBILE HOME LOT
A parcel of land in a mobile home park, improved with the
necessary utility connections and other appurtenances necessary for
the erection thereon of a single mobile home.
MOBILE HOME PARK
A parcel or contiguous parcels of land which have been so
designated and improved that it contains two or more mobile home lots
for the placement thereon of mobile homes.
MONUMENT
A stone or concrete block at least four inches in diameter
or square designed and intended to establish the location of a property
line (See Detail Plate WT-M-02).
MULCH
A layer of wood chips, dry leaves, straw, hay, plastic or
other materials placed on the surface of the soil around plants to
retain moisture, prevent weeds form growing, hold the soil in place
or aid plant growth.
MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY
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."
MPC
The Municipalities Planning Code found at 53 P.S. § 10101
et seq., as amended from time to time.
OFF-STREET PARKING AREA, PRIVATE
An area on private property designated and used for the parking
or storage of one or more passenger vehicles. Private off-street parking
areas shall include private garages, carports, driveways and improved
accessory parking spaces.
OFF-STREET PARKING AREA, PUBLIC
An open space, other than a street or other public right-of-way,
designed, maintained and used by the general public for the parking
of vehicles.
OFFICIAL MAP
A map adopted by ordinance pursuant to Article
IV of the MPC.
OFFICIAL ZONING MAP
The zoning map as adopted by the Board of Commissioners which
designates the location and boundaries of all zoning districts situate
within the Township.
OPEN SPACE, COMMON
A parcel or parcels of land or an area of water or a combination
of land and water depicted within a land development plan and designed,
intended or used for the use or enjoyment of residents of a development,
not including streets, off-street parking areas and areas set aside
for public facilities.
PARKING SPACE
An area designed and used for the parking of a motor vehicle,
exclusive of passageways, driveways and access ways appurtenant thereto.
PENNDOT
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
PERCOLATION TEST
(1)
A test designed to determine the ability of
soil to absorb water.
(2)
A test designed to determine the suitability
of soil for drainage.
(3)
A test designed to determine the suitability
of soil for a septic system.
PERVIOUS SURFACE
A surface that permits full or partial absorption of stormwater.
PHASED DEVELOPMENT
A land development which is developed in stages over an agreed
to number of years.
PHASED DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
A written agreement between the Township and a developer
which permits the developer to construct an approved land development
in stages over an agreed to number of years.
PLAN, FINAL
A land development plan which has received preliminary plan approval from the Planning Commission and the Board of Commissioners pursuant to §
22-15E or §
22-15F hereof, respectively, and which purportedly complies with the drafting requirements of §
22-18A et seq., hereof.
PLAN, PRELIMINARY
A land development plan which purportedly complies with the drafting requirements of §
22-17A et seq., hereof.
PLAN, RECORD
(1)
Land development plan which has received final plan approval from the Planning Commission and the Board of Commissioners pursuant to §§
22-15E and
22-15F hereof, respectively.
(2)
Which complies with the drafting requirements of §
22-18A et seq. hereto.
(3)
Which applies with all other applicable provisions
hereof.
(4)
Which has been endorsed by the LVPC, the Planning
Commission, the Board of Commissioners and the Mayor.
[Amended 6-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2776, approved 11-3-2009]
(5)
Which is intended to be recorded in the Office
of the Lehigh County Recorder of Deeds.
PLAN, SKETCH
A land development plan which purportedly complies with the drafting requirements of §
22-16A et seq., hereof.
PLAT
A map or plan of a subdivision or land development, whether
preliminary or final.
PUBLIC GROUNDS
Those publicly owned or occupied areas which include, but
shall not be limited to:
(1)
Parks, playgrounds, trails, paths and other
recreational areas and other public areas.
(2)
Sites for schools, sewage treatment, refuse
disposal and other publicly owned or operated facilities.
(3)
Publicly owned or operated scenic and historic
sites.
PUBLIC NOTICE
A notice published once each week for two successive weeks
in a newspaper of general circulation in the 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.
PUBLIC STREET
A street which has been dedicated to and accepted by the
Township for public use.
PUBLIC THOROUGHFARE
An access way which is used by the public but which has not
been dedicated to or accepted by the Township.
RECREATION LAND
Land dedicated to the Township or other entity approved by
the Township for the use of the Township's residents which is suitable
for active uses such as playing fields. The term "recreation land"
shall not include areas within the 500-year floodplain, power line
or pipeline rights-of-way, quarries, road rights-of-way, buffer zones,
stormwater management facilities, areas characterized by wetlands,
hydric soils, slopes in excess of 5% or woodlands.
REPORT
Any letter, review, memorandum compilation or similar writing
made by any body, board, officer or consultant other than a solicitor
to any other body, board, officer or consultant for the purpose of
assisting the recipient of such report in the rendering of any decision
or determination. All reports shall be deemed recommendatory and advisory
only and shall not be binding upon the recipient, board, officer,
body or agency, nor shall any appeal lie therefrom. Any report used,
received or considered by the body, board, officer or agency for inspection
to the developer and all other parties to any proceeding upon request
and copies thereof shall be provided at cost of reproduction.
RIGHT-OF-WAY
Land condemned by or dedicated to the Township or Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania for street purposes and for the installation of public
utilities. The phrase "right-of-way" shall include the ultimate or
future right-of-way.
RIGHT-OF-WAY, ULTIMATE
The line separating a lot from the area designated for the
ultimate proposed or future right-of-way.
SALDO
The Whitehall Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance
(this chapter).
SANITARY SEWER
A public or private utility system designed to collect sewage
from customers in compliance with DEP regulations or regulations of
the Township, whichever is more stringent.
SCREENING
The formation of a visual or acoustical barrier using such
materials as dense evergreen shrubbery or solid fencing of durable
wood or masonry construction.
SCS
The Federal Soil Conservation Service.
SEDIMENT
Deposits of soil and other organic or inorganic material
caused by erosion.
SEPTIC SYSTEM
An underground drainage system with a septic tank, absorption
area and appurtenances used for the decomposition of domestic wastes.
SEPTIC TANK
A watertight receptacle that receives the discharge of sewage.
SETBACK
The distance between a use, building or structure and a lot
or right-of-way line (including the ultimate right-of-way), whichever
is less.
SETBACK LINE
A line designating the minimum setback from a particular
lot line.
SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM, CENTRALIZED
A public or private utility system designed to collect, centrally
treat and dispose of sewage from more than one customer in compliance
with DEP regulations or regulations of the Township, whichever is
more stringent.
SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM, PRIVATE
An onlot septic tank disposal system generally providing
for the disposal of effluent for only one building or a group of buildings
on a single lot and provided in compliance with DEP regulations or
regulations of the Township, whichever is more stringent.
SHADE (STREET) TREE
A tree in a public place, street, special easement or public
right-of-way adjoining a street.
SIGHT DISTANCE
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.
SINGLE-FAMILY ATTACHED DWELLING
A building or structure having only one dwelling unit from
ground to roof, two points of independent outside access, at least
two other dwelling units built in conjunction therewith and attached
thereto by way of one or two unpierced party walls adjoining the adjacent
dwelling. The term "single-family attached dwelling" shall include
row homes and townhouses.
SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED DWELLING
A dwelling unit on a permanent foundation occupied as a residence
for only family, which does not have a vertical wall in common with
another building.
SINKHOLE
A localized sinking of the land surface to a variable depth,
generally characterized by a roughly circular outline and a downward
movement of soil into bedrock voids.
SITE PLAN
An accurately scaled land development plan that depicts the
existing conditions on a lot or lots as well as depicting details
of a proposed development.
SLOPE
(1)
The face of any embankment or cut section.
(2)
Any ground surface which makes an angle with
the plane of the horizon.
SOIL STABILIZATION
Chemical or structural treatment of a mass of soil to increase
or maintain its stability or otherwise improve its engineering properties.
SPECIAL EXCEPTION
A use permitted in a particular zoning district pursuant to the provisions of §
27-64 of Chapter
27, Zoning.
STORM SEWER
A system of pipes or other conduits which carries intercepted
surface runoff, street water or drainage, but excludes domestic sewage
and industrial wastes.
STORMWATER DETENTION BASIN
A pond, pool or impoundment designed, intended or used to
delay stormwater runoff by temporarily storing the runoff in the pond,
pool or impoundment and releasing it at a predetermined rate.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ACT
The Pennsylvania Act of October 4, 1978, P.L. 864 (Act 167),
as amended; and including all provisions of the Jordan Creek Stormwater
Management Plan, the Coplay and Spring Creek Stormwater Management
Plans and the Catasauqua Creek/Lehigh River Sub-basin Plan.
STORMWATER RETENTION
A pond, pool or impoundment for the storage (without release)
of Stormwater runoff.
STREET
A strip of land, including the entire existing and ultimate
right-of-way, intended for use as a means of vehicular and pedestrian
traffic and shown on the official map or on a filed plat, whether
public or private. The word "street" shall include avenue, boulevard,
road or highway. The words "street" "highway" and "road" have the
same meaning and are used interchangeably. (See also: Arterial street
or highway, collector street, cul-de-sac, expressway, local street,
loop street and stub street.)
STRUCTURE
Any man-made object having an ascertainable stationary location
on or in land or water, whether or not affixed to the land.
STUB STREET
A street or road within a subdivision terminating at the
subdivision boundary with no permanent vehicular turnaround. Stub
streets are provided to permit adjacent undeveloped parcels of land
to be developed later with an adequate connecting street system.
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, partition by the court for
distribution to heirs or devisees, transfer of ownership or building
or lot development.
SUBGRADE
The soil lying beneath a street.
SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETED
When, 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 § 509 of the MPC) 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 purpose.
SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE
A building, structure or part thereof or a lot, parcel or
tract of land used for local government services and services provided
by Public Utility Commission regulated entities. The phrase "support
infrastructure" includes, but is not limited to sewer lines, water
lines, bus stops, train stops, stormwater sewer facilities, etc.
SURVEYOR
A professional land surveyor licensed by the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania.
SWALE
A low lying stretch of land which gathers or carries surface
water runoff.
TOPSOIL
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.
TOWNSHIP
The Township of Whitehall, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.
TOWNSHIP CONSULTANTS
Those professional consultants including, but not limited
to, the following: attorneys, chemists, engineers, geologists and
hydrogeologists.
TOWNSHIP ENGINEER
A professional engineer licensed as such in the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, duly appointed as the Engineer for the Township.
TOWNSHIP SOLICITOR
That attorney or law firm appointed by the Mayor and approved
by the Board of Commissioners to act as the attorney for the Township,
the Planning Commission and the Board of Commissioners.
[Amended 6-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2776, approved 11-3-2009]
TRIP END
A single or one direction vehicle movement with either the
original or the destination (exiting or entering) inside a study side.
WAIVER
Relief from a specific subdivision or land development regulation
granted by the Board of Commissioners as provided for herein.
WATERCOURSE
Any channel of conveyance of surface water having defined
beds and banks, whether natural or artificial, with perennial or intermittent
flow.
WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM, CENTRAL
A public or private utility system designed to transmit potable
water from a common source to customers in compliance with DEP regulations
or the Township regulations, whichever is more stringent.
WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM, PRIVATE
An on lot water supply system generally providing for an
adequate supply of potable water on one building or a group of buildings
on a single lot and in compliance with DEP regulations or the Township
regulations, whichever is more stringent. (A cistern shall not be
deemed to be an acceptable private water supply system.)
WETLANDS
Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or
groundwater 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.
WOODLANDS
The areas comprised of:
(1)
One or more acres of woodland where the largest
tree measures at least six inches in diameter (measured at 4 1/2
feet from the ground.
(2)
A grove of trees forming one canopy where 10
or more trees measure at least 10 inches) in diameter (measured at
4 1/2 feet from the ground.)
(3)
A tract of land covered by trees which also
contains woody shrubs, grasses and other vegetation.
ZONING ORDINANCE
The Whitehall Township Zoning Ordinance of 1989, as amended from time to time (see Chapter
27).