[Ord. No. 3187 §1, 11-5-2014]
A. 
For the purposes of this Chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this Section:
ALLEYS
Minor ways which are used primarily for vehicular service access to the back or the side of properties otherwise abutting on a street.
BLOCK
The distance as measured along a street between intersecting streets from center line to center line; and where the context requires, it also means the enclosed areas within the perimeter of the streets or property lines enclosing it.
BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT
An adjustment of the boundary line(s) of a lot(s), where the number of lots remains the same (no new lots are being created nor is the number of lots being reduced). No public improvements, dedications or the establishment of new public or private streets, alleys, or other thoroughfares, or a change in existing streets may be involved.
CALIPER
A measurement of the size of a tree equal to the diameter of its trunk measurement at four and one-half (4 1/2) feet above natural grade. If a tree splits into two (2) or more trunks below four and one-half (4 1/2) feet, then the trunk is measured at its most narrow point below the split. For newly planted trees the caliper measurement will be taken six (6) inches above natural grade.
CANOPY TREE
Large stature at maturity shade tree (oak, maple, ash, linden, locust, etc.), not to include evergreens or decorative small stature flowering trees (dogwoods, red buds, crab apple, etc.).
COLLECTOR STREETS
Those streets which carry traffic from minor streets to the major system of arterial streets and highways, including the principal entrance streets of a residential development and streets for circulation within such a development.
CROSSWALK
A right-of-way, dedicated to public use, which cuts across a block to facilitate pedestrian access to adjacent streets and properties.
CUL-DE-SAC OR DEAD-END STREET
A permanent street terminating at one (1) end without connecting with another street and designed so that it cannot be further extended without condemnation or taking property not dedicated as a street.
DECIDUOUS
Plants that drop their leaves before becoming dormant in winter; not an evergreen.
EASEMENT
A grant by the property owner to the public, a corporation or persons of the use of a portion of land for specific purposes.
EXCAVATION
Any act by which earth, sand, gravel, rock or any other similar material is cut into, dug, uncovered, removed, displaced, relocated or bulldozed and shall include the conditions resulting therefrom.
FILL
Any act by which earth, sand, gravel, rock or any other similar material is deposited, placed, pushed, pulled or transported to a place other than the place from which it was excavated and shall include the conditions resulting therefrom.
GRADING
Excavation, fill or land disturbance, or any combination thereof, and shall include the conditions resulting from any excavation, fill or land disturbance.
LAND DISTURBANCE
Any removal or destruction of trees, ground cover or other vegetation by means of heavy mechanized equipment [including all equipment weighing in excess of one thousand five hundred (1,500) pounds] or by any means affecting an area of five thousand (5,000) square feet or more in a period of one (1) year or less. If construction activities disturb land or entail the grading or excavation of a surface area of five (5) acres or greater, a land disturbance permit shall be obtained from the Department of Natural Resources.
LOT
The tract within a subdivision marked by the subdivider as a numbered, lettered or otherwise identified tract to be offered as a unit of land for sale.
LOT CONSOLIDATION
See "subdivision."
LOT, CORNER
Shall be defined the same as that definition stated in Section 400.090 of the Municipal Code of Ellisville.
LOT, DOUBLE FRONTAGE
Shall be defined the same as that definition stated in Section 400.090 of the Municipal Code of Ellisville.
LOT, FLAG
Lots which do not meet the minimum frontage requirements at the setback line and with access provided to the bulk of the property by a corridor less than fifty (50) feet in width.
LOT, THROUGH
Shall be defined the same as the definition of "lot, double frontage" stated in Section 400.090 of the Municipal Code of Ellisville.
MARGINAL ACCESS STREETS
Minor streets which are parallel to and adjacent to arterial streets and highways and which provide access to abutting properties and protection from through traffic.
MASTER PLAN
A comprehensive plan prepared by the Planning Commission which indicates the general locations recommended for the various functional classes of public works, places and structures and for the general physical development of the City and includes any unit or part of such plan separately adopted and any amendment to such plan or parts thereof.
MINOR STREETS
Those streets which are used primarily for access to the abutting properties.
OFFICIAL MAP
The map established by the Council showing the streets, highways and parks heretofore laid out, adopted and established by law and any amendments thereto adopted by the Council or additions thereto resulting from the approval of subdivision plats by the Planning Commission and the subsequent filing of such approved plats.
OPEN SPACE
All land and water areas of a site that are not covered by structures, roadways, driveways, parking areas and loading zones. Buffer zones may be counted as open space, but buffer zones may not contain aboveground structured improvements.
OWNER
Any individual, firm, association, syndicate, co-partnership, corporation, trust or any other legal entity having sufficient proprietary interest in the land sought to be subdivided to commence and maintain proceedings to subdivide the same under this Chapter.
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION or COMMISSION
The Planning Commission for the City.
PLAT
The final map, drawing or chart on which the subdivider's plan of subdivision is presented to the Planning Commission and Council for approval and which, if approved, will be submitted to the County Recorder for recording.
PRIMARY AND MAJOR STREETS
Those streets which are used primarily for fast or heavy traffic.
SITE
Any single or contiguous lots, tracts, projects or subdivisions of land owned by a single person, by several persons acting jointly or a corporation.
SUBDIVIDER
The owner, agent or person having control of such land as the term is used in this Chapter.
SUBDIVISION
A division or consolidation of land involving: two (2) or more lots, including the resubdivision of a lot or parcel; or public improvements; dedications; the establishment of new public or private streets, alleys, or other thoroughfares; a change in an existing street is involved. Any sale or rental of a division of land by metes and bounds or lot description shall constitute a subdivision of land and shall require compliance with this Chapter unless it is a separate parcel of record at the time of the effective date of this Chapter.
TREE CANOPY COVERAGE
The area in square feet of a tree's spread. Existing tree canopy is determined by measuring the ground's surface area that is covered by the branch spread of a single tree or clump or grove of trees.
WOODLANDS, MATURE
An area over five thousand (5,000) square feet of woody plant material consisting of thirty percent (30%) or more canopy trees having a caliper of ten (10) inches or greater.
WOODLANDS, YOUNG
An area over five thousand (5,000) square feet of woody plant material consisting of seventy percent (70%) or more canopy trees having a caliper of two and one-half (2 1/2) inches or greater.
[1]
Cross Reference — Definitions and rules of construction generally, §100.020.
State Law Reference—Subdivision defined, §89.300, RSMo.