As used in this chapter, terms not specifically defined in this section shall have the same meanings as words defined in the Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq., and in Chapter
450, Zoning, of this Code. The following terms shall have the meanings indicated in this section:
ACT 247
The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247 of
1968, as amended from time to time, 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
ADVERSE EFFECTS; ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Results contributing to a harmful or degraded condition and/or
producing environmental harm or degradation. Adverse effects/adverse
environmental impacts may include: a negative impact on surrounding
land uses; negative impacts which are contrary to the Comprehensive
Plan and the intent of this chapter and the Zoning Ordinance; negative
impacts which may create a threat to the public health, safety and
general welfare; and negative impacts on naturally occurring physical
and biological resources and systems.
AGENT
Any person other than the developer, who, acting for the
developer, submits to the Board of Supervisors subdivision or land
development plans for the purpose of obtaining approval thereof.
ALLEY
A minor right-of-way providing secondary vehicular access
to the side or rear of two or more properties.
ALTERNATIVES
Choices between or among two or more plans, layouts, approaches,
solutions and/or results.
ANSI
American National Standards Institute.
APPLICANT
A landowner or developer, including heirs, successors, assigns
and grantees, who has filed a complete application for subdivision
and/or land development or a complete application for a special exception,
variance or conditional use.
APPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT
Every application, whether preliminary or final, required
to be filed and approved prior to the start of construction or development,
including, but not limited to, an application for a building permit,
for the approval of a subdivision plat or plan, or for the approval
of a development plan.
AQUIFER
A water-bearing stratum of permeable rock, sand or gravel.
BENEFICIAL EFFECTS
Results contributing to an improvement in condition and/or
producing a favorable result, such as making a use more compatible
with the intent of this chapter and the Comprehensive Plan and promoting
the public health, safety and general welfare.
BERM
An earthen embankment that serves purposes such as retaining/detaining
the flow of surface water runoff, preventing soil erosion, or is used
to aid visual screening between land uses, most often by supporting
plant materials.
[Amended 6-12-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-04]
BIODIVERSITY
In general terms, it is the variety of plants and animals
in a given habitat or the variety of features found in a given population
of one type of plant or animal. More technically, it is the variety
of species, the genetic variation within them, and the spectrum of
ecological communities in which they occur. It is the sum total of
compositional, structural and functional diversity of genes, species
and ecological communities. It can be described on a continuum of
spatial and temporal scales, from local to global, from days to millennia.
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
Characteristics of the natural environment manifest in its
flora and fauna. The disposition of these characteristics is typically
expressed in vegetation and/or wildlife units, such as field and meadow;
tree, woodland or forest stands and related under-story and ground-cover
growth; and aquatic and terrestrial wildlife and/or their habitats.
BLOCK
An area of land surrounded by streets.
BOARD
See "Board of Supervisors."
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
The Board of Supervisors of West Bradford Township, County
of Chester, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
BUFFER
An open or landscaped space between adjacent properties where
no development has taken place.
[Amended 6-12-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-04]
BUFFER AREA
A strip of land adjacent to the lot line that separates uses
where a visible separation is to be established.
A.
STANDARD BUFFERA buffer area located adjacent to any existing residential use or zoning district that permits residential uses.
B.
SPECIAL PROTECTION BUFFERShould the Township determine that a more stringent or effective screening is necessary in the buffer area to mitigate an adverse visual impact resulting from the development of a specific use (i.e., junkyard, landfill, etc.).
CALIPER
The diameter of an unplanted or replacement tree measured
at six inches above the ground; or if the diameter measured at six
inches above the ground is greater than four inches, then the diameter
shall be measured at 12 inches above the ground.
[Amended 6-12-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-04]
CERTIFICATE OF USE AND OCCUPANCY
A certificate issued and enforced by the Code Enforcement
Officer upon completion of the construction of a new building or upon
a change or conversion of the structure or use of a building, which
certifies that all requirements and regulations, as provided herein,
and all other applicable requirements have been complied with.
CLEAR SIGHT TRIANGLE
An area of unobstructed vision at street intersections defined
as lines of sight between points at a given distance from the intersection
of the street rights-of-way, cartways or center lines. Please refer
to Figure 2-B below.
COMMUNITY FACILITIES
The services that provide for various community health, education,
safety, leisure and like needs and the locations at which these services
are provided. Typical community facilities include schools; parks
and recreation areas; libraries; hospitals and other health care facilities;
fire protection; police, ambulance and rescue services; and postal
services.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The document adopted as the West Bradford Township Comprehensive
Plan by the Board of Supervisors, as amended from time to time.
CONSTRUCTION
The erection, rebuilding, renovation, repair, extension,
expansion, alteration, demolition or relocation of a building or structure;
includes the placement of mobile homes.
CONVENTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Individual residential lots that encompass the entire development
tract or area without retaining open space associated with cluster
development. Please refer to Figure 2-C below.
CONVERSION, RESIDENTIAL
The division of a single-family detached dwelling into two
or more dwelling units; for example, the conversion of a single-family
home to two or more apartments.
COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
A land use and growth management plan adopted by the County
Commissioners which establishes broad goals and criteria for municipalities
to use in preparation of their comprehensive plans and land use regulations.
CROSSWALK
A right-of-way, municipality or privately owned, intended
to furnish access for pedestrians.
CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT
The manifestation of man's influence on land and/or water
through the use, organization, adornment and maintenance of property
and structures.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
The Department of Health of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
or of Chester County or their respective representative having jurisdiction
in the Township.
DEVELOPER
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.
DEVELOPMENT PLAN
The provisions for development, including a planned residential
development, a plat of subdivision, all covenants relating to use,
location and bulk of buildings and other structures, intensity of
use or density of development, streets, ways and parking facilities,
common open space and public facilities.
DIAMETER AT BREAST HEIGHT (DBH)
The diameter of an existing, mature tree trunk, measured
at 4.5 feet above the ground.
[Amended 6-12-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-04]
DISTRICT
A geographically definable area possessing a significant
concentration, linkage, continuity of sites, buildings, structures
or objects for the purpose of establishing zoning regulations.
DRAINAGE
The movement of water from an area or property by stream
or sheet flow, and removal of excess water from soil by downward flow.
DRAINAGE AREA
The upstream watershed area of a drainage basin measured
from a point of discharge in the watercourse.
DRAINAGE FACILITY
Any ditch, gutter, pipe, culvert, storm sewer or other structure
designed, intended or constructed for the purpose of diverting surface
waters from or carrying surface water off streets, public rights-of-way,
parks, recreational areas or any part of any subdivision, land development
or contiguous land areas.
DRIPLINE
An area defined by the outermost circumference of a tree
canopy where water drips from and onto the ground.
[Added 6-12-2018 by Ord.
No. 2018-04]
DRIVEWAY
A private means of vehicular access between a public or private
street to a single lot.
DWELLING
A building designed or used as the living quarters for one
or more families.
EARTHMOVING ACTIVITY
Activity resulting in the movement of the surface of the
land or stripping of vegetative cover from the land.
EASEMENT
A right-of-way granted for limited use of land for public,
quasi-public, or private purpose.
ECONOMIC AND FISCAL CHARACTERISTICS
Characteristics related to the expenditures and revenues
in conjunction with the management of income of a household, private
business, community, association and/or government.
ENGINEER
An individual licensed and registered under the laws of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to engage in the practice of engineering
and having training and experience in the specific field in which
he or she is practicing.
ENGINEER, TOWNSHIP
A professional engineer licensed as such in the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, duly appointed as the Engineer for the Township.
ENVIRONMENT
The conditions, resources and/or characteristics which exist
within and surround the area to be affected by a project, including,
but not limited to, natural elements such as land, water, air, minerals,
natural flora and natural fauna; and man-made components such as objects
of historic or aesthetic significance, infrastructure, and man-related
attributes of a social and economic nature.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) REPORT
An assessment which objectively describes, analyzes and documents
both the beneficial and adverse environmental and cultural effects
of a proposed project and the measures to be undertaken to mitigate
adverse effects in accordance with the provisions set forth in this
chapter. See Appendix A.
EROSION
The wearing away of land surface by water or wind which occurs
naturally from weather or runoff but is often intensified by human
activities.
EXCAVATION
Any activity that results in earth, sand, gravel, rock or
other similar materials being dug, cut, quarried, uncovered, removed,
displaced, relocated or moved, including the condition resulting from
such activity.
FEMA
Federal Emergency Management Agency.
FILL
Material, exclusive of structures, placed or deposited to
form an embankment or to raise the surface elevation of the land.
Clean fill shall be defined by standards set forth by the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection.
FLAG (INTERIOR) LOT
An interior lot that has an access strip not less than 50
feet in width that connects to a street, said access strip shall be
within the title lines of the lot; the minimum lot area and other
dimensional requirements shall be those of the applicable zoning district
and shall be met on that portion of the lot exclusive of the access
strip. The use of an alternate means of access, other than the access
strip, shall not change the classification of the lot as a flag lot.
FLOOD
A general and temporary inundation of normally dry land areas.
FLOOD FRINGE
That portion of a floodplain outside the floodway. Please
refer to Figure 2-D below.
FLOOD, ONE-HUNDRED-YEAR
A flood that, on the average, is likely to occur once every
100 years (i.e., that has a one-percent chance of occurring each year,
although the flood may occur in any year).
FLOODPLAIN (FLOOD HAZARD AREA)
In accordance with Article
XI, Natural Resources Overlay Districts, Chapter
450, Zoning, "floodplain" is defined as:
A.
A relatively flat or low land area adjoining a river, stream
or watercourse which is subject to partial or complete inundation;
and/or
B.
An area subject to the unusual and rapid accumulation of runoff
of surface waters from any source. Please refer to Figure 2-D below.
FLOODPROOFING
Any combination of structural and nonstructural additions,
changes and adjustments to properties and structures which reduces
or eliminates flood damage to lands, water and sanitary facilities,
structures and contents of buildings.
FLOODWAY
The designated area of a floodplain required to carry and
discharge floodwaters of a given magnitude. For the purposes of this
chapter, the floodway shall be capable of accommodating a flood of
the one-hundred-year magnitude. Please refer to Figure 2-D below.
FORESTED RIPARIAN BUFFER
A riparian buffer that consists predominantly of native trees,
shrubs and/or herbaceous plants that provide a minimum of 60% uniform
canopy coverage.
[Added 6-12-2018 by Ord.
No. 2018-04]
FRONTAGE
The length of a front lot line coinciding with a street line.
GRADE
The elevation of finished ground or paving which adjoins
a building.
GRADING
The changing of the surface of the ground by excavation or
fill or a combination thereof; the act of moving earth.
GROUNDWATER RECHARGE
The replenishment of water contained in interconnected pores
located below the water table in an aquifer from the infiltration
of precipitation, streams, lakes or other water sources.
HISTORIC RESOURCES
Sites, area, structures, trails and/or routes which are valued
due to their significance as examples and/or locations of events,
customs, skills and/or arts of the past.
HOMEOWNERS' ASSOCIATION
A nonprofit organization comprised of homeowners or property
owners, planned and operated under negotiated and approved rules and
regulations, for the purpose of administering the needs of residents
through the maintenance of community-owned property.
IMPACT
The power of an event or condition to produce changes in
other conditions. In the context of impact exerted on the environment,
changes which affect existing conditions and/or quality are of greatest
concern.
IMPROVEMENT
Physical additions and changes to structures or land, such
as roads, curbing, fire hydrants, water mains, sanitary sewers, storm
sewers, storm drains, catch basins, detention basins, retention basins,
sidewalks, monuments, bridges, streetlights and other facilities that
may be necessary to produce usable and desirable land development.
INSPECTION
The act of monitoring compliance with applicable provisions
contained in this chapter or other applicable regulations, as undertaken
by authorized representatives of West Bradford Township and in the
manner specified herein.
INVASIVE VEGETATION
Any nonnative plant species which aggressively displaces
native plants. Also called "exotics" and "aliens," these species reproduce
prolifically, grow rapidly, and out-compete native plants for light,
space, and nutrients, reducing plant diversity and wildlife habitat.
Invasive vegetation includes, but is not limited to, the plant species
listed in Appendix E.1, Prohibited Plants: Alien, Invasive Trees,
Shrubs, and Vines, of this chapter.
[Amended 6-12-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-04]
LAND DEVELOPMENT
Any of the following activities:
A.
The improvement of one lot or two or more contiguous lots or
tracts of land for any purpose involving:
(1)
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
(2)
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.
C.
Any other activities as defined in the Pennsylvania Municipalities
Planning Code.
LAND DISTURBANCE
Any activity which exposes soils, alters topography, and/or
alters vegetation, including clearing, grading, filling, plowing or
any other similar earthmoving.
[Amended 6-12-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-04]
LANDOWNER
The legal or beneficial owner or owners of land; the holder
of an option or contract to purchase (whether or not such option or
contract is subject to any condition), a lessee if he is authorized
under the lease to exercise the rights of the landowner, or other
person having a proprietary interest in the land shall be deemed to
be a landowner for the purpose of this chapter.
LANDSCAPING
The planting of turf or other appropriate ground cover or
the planting of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubbery, including
the maintenance thereof, for control of erosion, retention of precipitation,
protection against the elements, and promotion of human comfort and
welfare.
LAND USE
The manner in which land is or may be used, typically expressed
in terms of the type of activity or development, such as agricultural,
residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, recreational,
municipal and the like, whether such use is principal or accessory.
LIMIT(S) OF DISTURBANCE
The boundary line on Township-approved plans or construction
documents and clearly marked in the field delineating where permitted
land disturbance may occur and areas where no land disturbance shall
occur, such as grading, materials storage, traversing of vehicles,
etc.
[Amended 6-12-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-04]
LONG-TERM EFFECTS
Results that occur or become apparent after short-term effects
are experienced.
LOT AREA
The area of land included within the title lines of a lot.
LOT, CORNER
A corner lot is one bounded on at least two sides by streets
whenever the lines of such streets extended for an interior angle
of 135° or less. Both yards adjacent to streets shall be considered
front yards. The remaining two yards shall be side yards.
LOT, REVERSE FRONTAGE
A lot extending between and having frontage on an arterial
street and on a local street and with vehicular access solely from
the latter.
MARKER
A metal pipe or pin of at least three-fourths-inch diameter
by 30 inches in length.
MITIGATION
The act of precluding a potentially adverse effect and/or
making a potentially adverse effect less severe through measures that
will improve a condition and/or lessen the impact.
MOBILE HOME
A transportable building intended for permanent occupancy
as a single-family dwelling, contained in one unit or two units, designed
to be joined into one integral unit capable of again being separated
for repeated towing, which arrives at the site complete and ready
for occupancy except for minor and incidental unpacking and assembly
operations, and constructed so that it may be used without a permanent
foundation, i.e., a double-wide mobile home, not a modular home.
[Amended 6-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-05]
MOBILE HOME LOT
A parcel of land in a mobile home park, improved with the
utility connections and other appurtenances necessary for the erection
thereon of a single mobile home, which said lot is leased by the park
owner to the occupants of the mobile home erected on the lot.
[Amended 6-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-05]
MOBILE HOME PARK
A parcel of land or contiguous parcels of land under single
ownership, which has been planned and improved for the placement of
mobile homes for nontransient use, consisting of two or more mobile
home lots.
[Amended 6-9-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-05]
MONOCULTURE
A plant community in which one plant is excessively predominant.
Examples include lawns, crop fields, or habitat overpopulated with
invasive exotic plants.
MONUMENT
A stone or concrete monument with a flat top at least six
by six inches and at least 30 inches in length, to the top of which
is permanently affixed a brass or copper marker.
NATIVE PLANT SPECIES
A species of plant that currently or previously inhabited
or grew in a specified location and which was not introduced to that
location as a result of human activity, either intentional or accidental.
The term "native" species generally refers to a species whose range
was located within a large area like a continent or nation. The term
"indigenous" species is typically used to refer to a species whose
original range extended into a smaller area like a state, county,
or watershed. The West Bradford Township List of Approved Plants,
attached as Appendix E.2 to this chapter, includes a number of identified
native species.
[Amended 6-12-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-04]
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
A composition of land, water and/or air represented by its
inherent physical and biological resources.
OLD FIELD
An area in the early stages of natural succession characterized
by the presence of herbs, shrubs, and young pioneer species trees
(seedlings) whose branches do not form a complete tree canopy.
[Added 6-12-2018 by Ord.
No. 2018-04]
PADEP
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
PARKING LOT
An off-street surfaced area designed solely for the parking
of motor vehicles, including driveways, passageways and maneuvering
space appurtenant thereto.
PARKING SPACE
A reasonably level space, having a surface slope not exceeding
5%, available for parking of one motor vehicle, not less than 10 feet
wide and having an area of not less than 200 square feet exclusive
of passageways, driveways, or other means of circulation or access.
PHYSICAL RESOURCES
Characteristics of the natural environment manifest in its
landforms, soils, geological structure of surface and/or subsurface
rock, minerals, natural bodies of water and/or man-made impoundments,
watercourses, groundwater and the like. The disposition of these characteristics
is typically expressed in physiographic, topographic and/or hydrologic
units, such as rock formations, slopes, elevations, soil types, watersheds,
surface water types, wetlands, floodplains, aquifers or aquifer recharge
areas and the like.
PLAN
Any one or more of the following:
B.
FINALA complete and exact subdivision or land development plan, prepared for official recording as required by statute, to define property rights, proposed streets and other public improvements.
C.
GRADINGA plan that indicates proposed contours in accordance with the Township Grading Ordinance.
E.
LIGHTING PLANA plan that indicates the type and location of light fixtures in accordance with the provisions of §
385-73 herein.
F.
OPEN SPACE MANAGEMENTA long-range plan that outlines the way in which an area of open space will be preserved, managed and how the associated activities will be funded in accordance with the provisions of §
385-25 herein.
G.
PRELIMINARYA tentative subdivision or land development plan, in lesser detail than the final plan, indicating the approximate proposed layout of the area to be subdivided and/or developed as a basis for consideration prior to preparation of the final plan.
H.
RECORDA final plan, with accompanying documents as required by this chapter, which has been recorded by the applicant in the office of the Recorder of Deeds, Chester County, Pennsylvania.
I.
SKETCHAn informal plan, not necessarily to exact scale, indicating topographic and other salient existing features of a tract and its surroundings and general layout of the proposed subdivision or land development.
J.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENTA plan for controlling water runoff so that it will not cause erosion or flooding and for minimizing the effects of impervious areas on water runoff. This plan shall control runoff after completion of the earthmoving activity and all required restoration of vegetation and shall be in accordance with Chapter
373, Stormwater Management.
PNDI
Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory.
[Added 6-12-2018 by Ord.
No. 2018-04]
PRIMARY EFFECTS
The results of the direct, immediate or principal influences
of one entity or condition upon another. (Example: The construction
of a road may involve the removal of mature trees as a primary effect.
Also, see "secondary effects.")
PROHIBITIVE SLOPES
Those areas of land where the grade is greater than 25%.
Slopes shall be measured as the change in elevation over the horizontal
distance between consecutive contour lines and expressed as a percent.
For the purpose of application of these regulations, slope shall be
measured over three or more two-foot contour intervals (six cumulative
vertical feet of slope). All slope measurements shall be based on
contour intervals determined by detailed topographic survey using
aerial photogrammetry or actual field survey and shall be signed and
sealed by a registered surveyor or engineer licensed to practice in
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Slopes created during land disturbance
or land development activity, when authorized by the Township pursuant
to this chapter, are not considered prohibitive slopes for the purposes
of regulating steeply sloped areas.
[Added 6-12-2018 by Ord.
No. 2018-04]
PROJECT
A subdivision; a land development; or any development involving
the construction or alteration of buildings or other structures or
the grading or excavation of land to accommodate a building, structure
or use.
PUBLIC HEARING
A formal meeting held pursuant to public notice by the Board
of Supervisors, the Planning Commission or the Zoning Hearing Board,
intended to inform and obtain public comment or to build an adjudicatory
record prior to taking action in accordance with this chapter.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS
Improvements that are offered for dedication or proposed
to be offered for dedication.
PUBLIC MEETING
A forum held pursuant to notice under the Sunshine Act, 65
Pa.C.S.A. § 701 et seq. (October 15, 1998, P.L. 729, No.
93).
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice published in any newspaper of general circulation
in West Bradford Township once each week for two successive weeks,
the first not more than 30 days and the second not less than seven
days, prior to any public hearing required by this chapter; such notice
shall give time and place and the nature of the matter to be considered.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
A vehicle which may be towed or driven on the public highways
without a special hauling permit and which is designed for human occupancy
under transient circumstances, such as camping, travel or other recreation,
sometimes variously known as a "trailer" or a "camper."
REFORESTATION
The restocking of an area with forest trees, including natural
regeneration as well as tree planting.
RIGHT-OF-WAY (ROW)
A corridor of land set aside for use, in whole or in part,
by a street. Please refer to Figure 2-A below.
RIGHT-OF-WAY, FUTURE
The right-of-way deemed appropriate to provide adequate width
for future street improvements.
RIPARIAN
Belonging or related to the bank of a water body.
[Added 6-12-2018 by Ord.
No. 2018-04]
SECONDARY EFFECTS
The results of an indirect or nonimmediate influence of one
entity or condition upon another. (Example: The removal of mature
trees as a result of road construction, a primary effect, may also
result in exposing a woodland to a wind-throw problem where trees
which are otherwise protected are vulnerable to loss due to wind-throw,
a secondary effect.)
SEDIMENT
Fragmented material that originated from weathering rocks
and decomposing organic material that is transported by, suspended
in, and eventually deposited in the streambed.
SEDIMENTATION
Occurs when the sediment particles that have been suspended
within the flowing water are deposited on the stream bottom or floodplain.
SETBACK LINE
A line established by the Township Zoning Ordinance (Chapter
450) with respect to road classifications which is parallel to the street line bounding an area within which no structure, portion thereof, or appurtenance thereto shall be located. In the case of the requirement that there be a certain minimum lot width at the setback line, said minimum lot width shall be measured as herein defined or at the proposed location of the structure, whichever is a greater distance from the public right-of-way.
SEWAGE
Any substance that contains any of the waste products or
excrementitious matter or other discharge from the bodies of human
beings or animals and laundry, bathroom and kitchen wastewater.
A.
INDIVIDUAL SEWAGE SYSTEMA system of piping tanks or other facilities serving a single lot and collecting and disposing of sewage in whole or in part into the soil or into any waters of the commonwealth and which is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The system must be within the confines of the lot on which the use is located or on a parcel of ground that is owned fee simple by the owner.
B.
PUBLIC SEWAGE SYSTEMAny system, whether governmentally or privately owned, if subject to Public Utility Commission's jurisdiction for the collection of sewage.
C.
COMMUNITY SEWAGE SYSTEMAny system, whether publicly or privately owned, for the collection of sewage or industrial wastes of a liquid nature from two or more lots and for the treatment or disposal of the sewage or industrial waste on one or more of the lots or at any other site.
SHORT-TERM EFFECTS
Results that occur immediately or within a short period of
time such as a week or month.
SIGHT DISTANCE
The maximum extent of unobstructed vision (in a vertical
or horizontal plan) along a street from a vehicle located at any given
point on the street.
SOILS, ALLUVIAL (FLOODPLAIN)
Areas subject to periodic flooding and listed in the Soil
Survey of Chester and Delaware Counties, Pennsylvania, United States
Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Alluvial soils include, but are not limited to:
A.
Bowmansville silt loam (Bo).
D.
Rowland silt loam (Ro, Rp).
SOILS, HYDRIC
A soil that is saturated, flooded or ponded long enough during
the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions that favor the
growth and regeneration of wetlands vegetation. Wetlands vegetation
includes those plant species that have adapted to saturated soils
and periodic inundations occurring in wetlands.
B.
Readington silt loam (Rd).
STEEP SLOPES
Those areas of land where the natural grade is 15% up to
and including 25%. Slopes shall be measured as the change in elevation
over the horizontal distance between consecutive contour lines and
expressed as a percent. For the purpose of application of these regulations,
slope shall be measured over three or more two-foot contour intervals
(six cumulative vertical feet of slope). All slope measurements shall
be based on contour intervals determined by detailed topographic survey
using aerial photogrammetry or actual field survey and shall be signed
and sealed by a registered surveyor or engineer licensed to practice
in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Slopes created during land disturbance
or land development activity, when authorized by the Township pursuant
to this chapter, are not considered steep slopes for the purposes
of regulating steeply sloped areas.
[Added 6-12-2018 by Ord.
No. 2018-04]
STEEPLY SLOPED AREAS OR LANDS
Areas or lands comprised of any or all steep slopes or prohibitive
slopes as defined herein.
[Added 6-12-2018 by Ord.
No. 2018-04]
STORM EVENT (RETURN FREQUENCY STORM)
The statistical period of time between storms of equal magnitude.
For example, a return frequency period of 100 years means that, on
the average, an event of this magnitude or greater is expected to
occur not more often than once in 100 years or have a one-percent
chance of occurring in any given year.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT FACILITY
Any ditch, depression, swale, gutter, pipe, culvert, basin
or other natural or mechanical facility designed, intended or constructed
for the purpose of controlling, managing and infiltrating stormwater
runoff.
STREET, PUBLIC
A street, avenue, boulevard, road, highway, freeway, parkway,
land, alley, viaduct and any other strip of land, including the entire
right-of-way used or intended to be used by vehicular traffic or pedestrians,
whether public or private.
A.
(1)
SINGLE ACCESS STREETA street or combination of streets originating at a through street and having no alternative second means of access/egress, serving no more than 20 lots; having a length, as measured from the edge of the existing right-of-way of the through street, no greater than 1,000 feet.
(2)
CUL-DE-SACA single access street terminating in vehicular turnaround; including any street that contains a loop or circles back to itself.
(3)
MARGINAL ACCESS STREETA street parallel and adjacent to an arterial street, providing access to abutting properties and control of intersections with collector or arterial streets.
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Local streets are further subclassified into three categories
— primary distributors, secondary distributors, and local access
streets — in the Township Comprehensive Plan. Refer
to the West Bradford Township Comprehensive Plan, as amended by Resolution
2004-18, for street designations.
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B.
COLLECTOR STREETA street which, in addition to providing access to abutting properties, collects traffic from the local street system. Collector streets are further subclassified into two categories — major and minor — in the Township Comprehensive Plan.
C.
ARTERIAL STREETA street whose primary function is to serve comparatively high volumes of through traffic at speeds higher than desirable on collector and local streets. Arterial streets are further subclassified into two categories — major and minor — in the Township Comprehensive Plan.
D.
SERVICE DRIVEA street primarily for service access to the back or sides of properties.
E.
CONNECTING STREETA street which traverses a subdivision and connects two or more collector or arterial streets.
SUBDIVISION
The division, combination 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, conveyance or
other transfer of ownership or building or lot development; provided,
however, that the subdivision by lease of land for agricultural purposes
into parcels of more than 10 acres, not involving any new street or
easement of access or any residential dwelling, shall be exempt.
SUBSOIL
Clay, sand, gravel or other natural earth material below
the surface soil and containing little organic matter.
SURFACE RUNOFF
That part of the precipitation that passes over the surface
of the soil.
SURVEYOR
An individual licensed and registered under the laws of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to engage in the practice of land surveying
or to perform engineering land surveys. A licensed land surveyor.
TOPSOIL
Natural and friable loam containing sufficient nitrogen,
phosphorus and potassium to support plant growth and extending in
depth to the extent of penetration of feeder roots of the prevailing
native grasses.
TOWNSHIP
West Bradford Township, County of Chester, Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.
TRAIL
A right-of-way containing a marked or beaten path, whether
paved or unpaved, for pedestrian, equestrian, or bicycle use.
TREE DRIPLINE (DRIPLINE)
The outermost circumference of a tree canopy where water
drips from and onto the ground.
[Amended 6-12-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-04]
TREE PROTECTION ZONE
An area around a tree or group of trees that is located a
minimum of 10 feet outside of the tree dripline, in which no construction
or vehicular activity, fill, grading, trenching, or the storage of
materials or temporary structures shall occur. The tree protection
zone shall be a polygon which surrounds the tree(s) and is at least
15 feet from the trunk of the tree(s) to be retained or the distance
from the trunk of the tree(s) to 10 feet beyond the dripline, whichever
is greater.
[Amended 6-12-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-04]
USE
Any purpose for which a building or other structure or tract
of land may be designed, arranged, intended, maintained or occupied,
or any activity or occupation carried on or intended to be carried
on in a building or other structure or a tract of land.
VISUAL RESOURCES
Characteristics of the natural and/or cultural environment
which are visible. The visual resources of a particular area are typically
expressed in terms of their visibility, character and/or attractiveness
relative to their amenity value and/or quality.
WATERCOURSE
Any channel of conveyance of surface water having a defined
bed and banks, such as a stream, river, brook, or creek, whether natural
or artificial, with perennial, intermittent or seasonal flow. This
shall not include any channel or ditch designed and constructed solely
to carry stormwater.
[Amended 6-12-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-04]
WATER SUPPLY
A.
ON-SITE WATER SERVICEA safe, adequate and healthful supply of water to a single user from a private well as approved by the proper regulating agency. The well must be within the confines of the lot on which the use is located or on a parcel that is owned fee simple by the owner.
B.
PUBLIC WATERA safe, adequate and healthful supply of water if subject to Public Utility Commission jurisdiction.
WATER TABLE
The upper surface of saturation, except where that surface
is formed by an impermeable body.
WETLAND or WETLANDS
Those areas inundated or saturated by surface water 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, ponds, lakes, and similar areas. Wetlands shall include any
area so delineated by the National Wetlands Inventory of the United
States Fish and Wildlife Service and all lands regulated as wetlands
by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP)
or the United States Army Corps of Engineers (ACE). In the event there
is a conflict between the definitions of these agencies, the more-restrictive
definition that defines the wetlands most expansively shall apply.
[Amended 6-12-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-04]
WOODLAND
A plant community covering an area of one acre or more, in
which tree species are dominant or codominant and the branches of
the trees form a complete, or nearly complete, aerial canopy. The
extent of any woodland plant community or any part thereof shall be
measured from the outermost dripline of all the trees in such plant
community. Woodland shall include any area where timber has been harvested
within the previous three years and/or woodland disturbance has occurred
within the previous three years which would have met the definition
of "woodland" prior to timbering or disturbance. Woodlands do not
include orchards or old fields. A woodland may also be termed a "forest."
[Amended 6-12-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-04]
Figure 2-A
Lot Dimensions
Source: Chester County Planning Commission, 2000.
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Figure 2-B
Clear Sight Triangle
Source: Chester County Planning Commission, 1999.
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Figure 2-C
Conventional vs. Cluster Development
Source: Cluster Subdivision Design Guide. Chester County Planning
Commission, 2003.
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Figure 2-D
Floodplain
Source: Cluster Subdivision Design Guide. Chester County Planning
Commission, 2003.
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Figure 2-E
Riparian Buffer
Source: An Integrated Water Resources Plan for Chester County,
Pennsylvania and its Watersheds, Chester County Water Resources Authority,
2002.
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Figure 2-F
Tree Protection Zone
Source: Chester County Planning Commission, 1998.
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