Words in the singular include the plural, and words in the plural include the singular. The word "person" includes a corporation, unincorporated association, partnership and individual. The word "lot" includes "parcel" or "plot." The word "building" includes "structure" or part thereof. The word "street" includes "road," "highway" and "lane." The word "watercourse" includes "drain," "ditch" and "stream." The word "may" is permissive, but the word "shall" is directive.
For purposes of this chapter, certain words and terms used herein are defined as follows:
An area bounded by streets.
A bond similar in nature to a performance bond, which guarantees the satisfactory operation of installed improvements for a stated period.
A performance bond duly issued by a bonding or surety company approved by the Town Board with security acceptable to the Town Board or, alternatively, a performance bond acceptable to the Town Board duly issued by the developer-obligor accompanied by security in the form of cash, certified check or U.S. government bearer bonds deposited with the Town Board to guarantee complete installation of required improvements.
The Town of Somerset Code Enforcement Officer and his or her staff.
The approval of the Planning Board of a final plat subject to conditions set forth in a resolution. Such "conditional approval" does not qualify a final plat for recording, nor does it provide authorization for the issuance of a building permit prior to the signing of a plat by a duly authorized officer of the Planning Board and recording of the plat in the office of the County Clerk in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
A right-of-way, privately owned or owned by the municipality, which is at least 12 feet in width, which cuts across a block to furnish access for pedestrians to adjacent streets or properties.
Authorization by a property owner for the use of any designated part of his property by another person, Town, municipality or public utility district for a specified or public purpose.
A person licensed as a professional engineer by the State of New York.
A plat prepared in accordance with Article IV of this chapter, showing definitively a proposed subdivision of a tract of land and related improvements.
The land-water boundary of a natural drainage course, flowing at a frequency defined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
A map on which are indicated the boundaries of any freshwater wetlands which have been filed with the Somerset Town Clerk pursuant to Article 24, Freshwater Wetlands Act, of the New York State Environmental Conversation Law.
A plan showing all present and proposed grades for stormwater drainage.
Those physical additions and changes to the land that may be necessary to produce desirable lots, including but not limited to grading, paving, curbing, fire hydrants, water mains, sanitary sewers and drains, sidewalks, crosswalks and street shade trees.
A parcel or area of land, the dimensions and extent of which are determined by the latest official records or by the latest approved map of a subdivision of which the lot is a part, intended for transfer of ownership or building development, whether immediate or future.
Any subdivision not classified as a minor subdivision, including but not limited to subdivisions of five or more lots, or any size subdivision requiring a new street or extension of municipal facilities.
A Comprehensive Plan, prepared pursuant to § 272-a of the New York State Town Law.
Any subdivision containing not more than four total lots so subdivided, fronting on an existing street, not involving any new street, road or the extension of municipal facilities and which does not alter a natural drainage course, not adversely affect the development of the remainder of the parcel or adjoining property, and not in conflict with any provision of the Master Plan, Official Map or Zoning Law.[1]
Any naturally developed creek, ravine, or gully through which surface water continuously or periodically flows in its natural course.
The map approved by the Town Board pursuant to § 270 of the Town Law which shows existing and proposed streets and highways.
The owner of the land proposed to be subdivided.
Land identified by a legal description and Tax Map number, which is filed or proposed to be filed in the County Clerk's office.
The Planning Board of the Town of Somerset.
A drawing or drawings clearly marked "preliminary plat" showing the layout of a proposed subdivision as specified in § 171-22 of this chapter, submitted to the Planning Board for approval prior to submission of the proposed final plat with respect to major subdivisions. Preliminary plats of minor subdivisions will not require final plat review but require a negative EIS prior to being approved. The preliminary plat must provide sufficient detail to apprise the Planning Board of the layout of the proposed subdivision.
A strip of land between property lines opened for use as a street, crosswalk or another public purpose.
A general term used to describe a right-of-way which, if privately owned or owned by the municipality, serves as a means for vehicular and pedestrian travel, furnishing space for sewers, public utilities and shade trees. The "streets" are classified by function as follows:
ARTERIAL STREETSStreets which are used or designed primarily for through or heavy traffic.
COLLECTOR STREETSStreets which carry traffic from minor streets to arterial streets, including the principal entrance streets of a residential development and streets for circulation within such a development.
MINOR OR LOCAL STREETSStreets which are used primarily for access to the abutting properties.
MARGINAL ACCESS STREETSMinor streets which are parallel to and adjacent to arterial streets, which provide access to abutting properties and protection from through traffic.
DEAD-END STREETA street or a portion of a street with only one vehicular outlet.
A sketch of a proposed subdivision showing the information specified in § 171-21 of this chapter.
The wearing or exposed surface of the roadway used by vehicular traffic.
The width of a right-of-way, measured at right angles to the center line of the street.
Any person, firm, corporation, partnership or association, which shall lay out any subdivision or part thereof as defined herein, either as owner of the land or agent for the owner.
The division of any single lot, tract or parcel of land, or a part thereof, into two or more lots, sites, tracts or parcels of land, with or without streets or highways, for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of sale, transfers of ownership or building or development.
Parcels of land into six acres or more which are used for one or more agricultural purposes, as recognized by § 301(4)(a) to (k) of the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law and which does not involve a new street shall not be deemed a subdivision. The sale or exchange of parcels of land between adjacent or adjoining property owners which does not create additional lots shall not be considered a subdivision of land.
A drawing, in final form, showing a proposed subdivision containing all information or detail required by law and by this chapter to be presented to the Planning Board for approval and which, if approved, may be duly filed or recorded by the applicant in the Office of the County Clerk.
A person licensed as a land surveyor by the State of New York.
The Town Board of the Town of Somerset.
An engineer retained by the Town on a consulting or full-time basis.
Chapter 205, Zoning, of the Code of the Town of Somerset.