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Township of Plainfield, PA
Northampton County
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[Ord. 3/6/1991, § 2.1]
1. 
For the purposes of this Chapter, words and terms used herein shall be interpreted as follows:
A. 
Words in the present tense shall include the future tense.
B. 
The singular shall include the plural, and the plural shall include the singular.
C. 
The masculine gender shall include the feminine and the neuter and vice-versa.
D. 
The word "shall" is always mandatory, and the word "may" or "should" is always permissive.
E. 
Any word or term not defined in this Part shall be used with a meaning of standard usage.
F. 
The terms "person," "subdivider," "developer," and "landowner" shall include an individual, a corporation, an unincorporated association, a partnership, an organization or other legal entity, which is recognized by law as the subject of rights and duties. In any provision of this Chapter prescribing a fine, imprisonment or penalty, or any combination of the foregoing, the term "person," "subdivider," "developer," and "landowner" shall include officers and directors of a corporation or other legal entity having officers and directors.
G. 
The term "watercourse" shall include rivers, streams, creeks, rivulets, channels, lakes, a ditch, a drain, a dry run, springs, ponds, dammed waters, wetlands and all other bodies or channels of conveyance of surface and underground waters.
[Ord. 3/6/1991, § 2.1; as amended by A.O.]
When used in this Chapter, the following words, terms and phrases shall have the following meanings, unless expressly stated otherwise or unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
ACCESS DRIVE
A privately owned, constructed, and maintained vehicular access from a public or private street to four or more off-street parking spaces or to at least one loading space.
ADJACENT
Next to or adjacent to, and includes the words "directly across from" streets, natural features, and rights-of-way.
ALLEY
A public or private way affording only secondary means of access to adjacent property.
APPLICANT
A landowner or developer, as hereinafter defined, who has filed an application for a subdivision, resubdivision or land development, including his heirs, successors and assigns.
BLOCK
Property bounded on one side by a street, and on the other three sides by a street, railroad right-of-way, public park, watercourse, Township line, tract of land held in separate ownership, or any combination thereof.
BLOCK FRONTAGE
That part of a block which fronts on a single street.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
The Board of Supervisors of Plainfield Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania.
BUFFER YARD
A strip of land at least 20 feet in width which may be a part of the minimum setback distance and which is free of any principal or accessory building, parking, outdoor storage or any use other than open space.
BUILDABLE AREA
The remaining area of a lot after all setbacks, buffers, easements, floodplains, wetlands and steep slope areas are considered.
BUILDING RESTRICTION LINE
The line within a property defining the minimum required distances between any building to be erected and an adjacent right-of-way. Such line shall be measured at right angles from the front street right-of-way line which abuts the property upon which said building is located, and shall be parallel to said right-of-way line.
BUILDING, ACCESSORY
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.
BUILDING, PRINCIPAL
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 in which the principal use of a lot is conducted. The term "building" shall be construed as including "or part thereof."
CARTWAY (ROADWAY)
The portion of a street right-of-way, paved or unpaved, intended for vehicular use.
CISTERN
A receptacle for collecting and holding rainwater for reuse for irrigation or drinking water.
CLEAR SIGHT TRIANGLE
An area of unobstructed vision at the intersection of streets or a street with a driveway, and defined by lines of sight between points at a given distance from the intersection of center lines.
COMMISSION
The Planning Commission of the Township of Plainfield.
COMMON OPEN SPACE
See "open space, common."
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The maps, charts, and textual material adopted by the Supervisors of Plainfield Township in accordance with the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq., and designated, as a whole and in its several parts, as the "Comprehensive Plan for Plainfield Township."
CONDOMINIUM
Real estate, portions of which are designated for separate ownership and the remainder of which is designated for common ownership solely by the owners of those portions, created under either the Pennsylvania Unit Property Act[1] of July 3, 1963, 68 P.S. § 700.101 et seq., or the Pennsylvania Uniform Condominium Act, 68 Pa.C.S.A. § 3101 et seq.
CONSTRUCTION
Includes the placing of construction materials in permanent position and fastening in a temporary or permanent position; and the demolition of a preexisting building, provided that further construction is carried on diligently.
CONVEYANCE SWALE
A natural or man-made drainage channel that has an upstream contributing area of 10 acres or greater.
COUNTY
Northampton County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
The Joint Planning Commission, Lehigh-Northampton Counties, Pennsylvania.
CROSSWALK (INTERIOR WALK)
A publicly or privately owned right-of-way for pedestrian use extending from a street into a block or across a block to another street.
CUT
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.
DEDICATION
An offer or tender of title to land by its owner for any public use.
DEVELOPER
Any landowner, or agent of such landowner with the permission of the who makes or causes to be made a subdivision or resubdivision of land or a land development.
DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
An agreement in a form and manner acceptable to the Township, requiring a developer to install the improvements required by this Chapter and any improvements or amenities which appear on the plan in accordance with the requirements of this Chapter.
DOUBLE FRONTAGE LOT
See lot, reverse frontage.
DWELLING (RESIDENCE, RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE)
A building containing one or more dwelling units. The term "dwelling" shall not be deemed to include automobile court, rooming house, tourist home, hotel, motel, hospital, nursing home, dormitory, fraternity, sorority house, or other group residence.
(1) 
SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED DWELLINGA detached building containing only one dwelling unit. The term "single-family detached dwelling" shall be deemed to include a factory built "modular home" placed on a permanent perimeter foundation.
(2) 
MODULAR HOME (defined by the Pennsylvania Industrialized Housing Act, 35 P.S. § 1651.1 et seq.)Any structure designed primarily for residential occupancy which is wholly or in substantial part made, fabricated, formed or assembled in manufacturing facilities for installation, or assembly and installation, on the building site; housing units defined as mobile homes are excluded from this definition.
(3) 
MOBILE/MANUFACTURED HOMEA transportable, single-family dwelling designed so that it can be used for permanent occupancy, contained in one unit or in two units designed to be joined into one integral unit capable of again being separated for repeated towing, which arrives at a site complete and ready for occupancy except for minor and incidental unpacking and assembly operations, and constructed so that it may be used with or without a permanent foundation. Mobile/manufactured homes shall be constructed in accordance with the Safety and Construction Standards of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The term "mobile/manufactured home" shall not be deemed to include "recreation vehicle" nor a "modular home" placed on a permanent perimeter foundation.
(4) 
TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGA detached building containing two dwelling units which are entirely separated by vertical walls or horizontal floors, unpierced except for access to the outside or to a common cellar. Each dwelling unit may be separately owned, provided that the area formed by the combined lots of both dwelling units shall comply with all requirements for a two-family dwelling in that district.
(5) 
MULTIPLE-FAMILY DWELLINGA building containing three or more dwelling units. Each dwelling unit may be separately owned, provided that the area formed by the combined lots of all dwelling units in a multiple-family dwelling shall comply with all of the requirements for that type of multiple-family dwelling in that district.
(a) 
LOW-RISE MULTIPLE-FAMILY BUILDINGA multiple-family dwelling (including townhouses, garden apartments, and other housing types) which does not contain more than six dwelling units, does not exceed three stories in height and in which each dwelling unit has an independent outside access.
1) 
GARDEN APARTMENTA low-rise multiple-family building in which individual dwelling units are entirely separated by vertical walls or horizontal floors, unpierced except for access to a common cellar.
2) 
TOWNHOUSEA low-rise multiple-family building in which each dwelling unit extends from ground to roof and contains two points of independent outside access.
(b) 
LOW-RISE APARTMENTA multiple-family dwelling not exceeding three stories in height, in which each dwelling unit shares a common outside access with at least one or more dwelling units.
(c) 
HIGH-RISE APARTMENTA multiple-family dwelling three stories or more in height, in which each dwelling unit shares a common outside access with at least one other dwelling unit and elevators serve each floor.
DWELLING UNIT (HOUSING UNIT)
One or more rooms intended to be occupied by one family as separate living quarters, containing sanitary facilities, kitchen facilities, and having outside access directly from the dwelling unit or through a common access hall.
EASEMENT
A right-of-way granted, but not dedicated, for limited use of private land 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.
ENGINEER
A professional engineer licensed as such in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
EROSION
The removal of surface materials by the action of natural elements.
EXCAVATION
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.
FAMILY
One or more persons related by blood, marriage, or adoption (or a group of not more than five persons not related by blood, marriage, or adoption) living together in a single dwelling and maintaining a common household. The term "family" shall be deemed to include any domestic employees or gratuitous guests, but shall not include any roomer, boarder, or lodger.
FENCE
A man-made barrier placed or arranged as a line of demarcation between lots or to enclose a lot or portion thereof. The term "fence" shall be deemed to include a wall.
FILL
Any act by which earth, sand, gravel, rock or any 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. The difference in elevation between a point on the original ground and a designated point of higher elevation on the final grade. The material used to make a fill.
FLAG LOT
See "lot, flag."
FLOODPLAIN
A relatively flat or low land area adjoining a river, stream or watercourse which is subject to partial or complete inundation once in every 100 years.
FLOODWAY
The designated area of a floodplain required to carry the discharge waters of a one-hundred-year magnitude storm.
FLOODWAY FRINGE
That portion of the floodplain outside the floodway.
GRADE
The elevation of finished ground or paving.
IMPERVIOUS COVERAGE
Any area covered by a structure or other cover, including asphalt and tar blacktopping, which is incapable of being penetrated by moisture.
JOINT PLANNING COMMISSION
The Joint Planning Commission of Lehigh and Northampton Counties, Pennsylvania.
KITCHEN FACILITIES
Shall consist of all the following: sink with piped water, a permanent cook stove and a refrigerator.
LAND DEVELOPMENT
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) 
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 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.
(2) 
A subdivision of land.
LANDOWNER
The legal or equitable 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), or a lessee if he is authorized under the lease to exercise the rights of the landowner, or any other person having a proprietary interest in land.
LOCATION MAP
A map drawn at a scale of one inch equals 1,000 feet, based upon Tax Maps, which shows all adjacent properties, streets and zoning district boundaries. The map shall also indicate all watercourses and areas subject to flooding within 1,000 feet of subject property.
LOT
Any parcel or tract of land intended as a unit of ownership, transfer of ownership, use, rent, improvement or development which fronts on a public street or has access to a public street via a right-of-way of sufficient width, with suitable slope and configuration that a public street could be constructed if required. The area of access may not be a part of the required area of any other lot. The term "lot" includes the word "plot," "parcel" and "tract." Contiguous nonconforming lots under common ownership shall be considered one lot.
(1) 
CORNER LOTA lot situated at and abutting the intersection of two streets having an interior angle of intersection not greater than 135°.
(2) 
INTERIOR LOTA lot other than a corner lot whose sides do not abut a street.
(3) 
REVERSE FRONTAGE LOTSLots which front on one public street but provide vehicular access solely from another public street at the rear of the lot.
(4) 
THROUGH LOTAn interior lot having frontage on two streets.
LOT AREA
The area contained within the lot lines, excluding space within all existing and future road rights-of-way.
LOT DEPTH
The mean average horizontal distance between the front and the rear lot lines. The greater frontage of a corner lot is its depth and the lesser frontage is its width.
LOT FLAG
An irregularly shaped lot characterized by an elongated extension from a road to the principal part of the lot. The flag shape of the lot is normally intended to provide for access to an otherwise landlocked interior parcel.
LOT FRONTAGE
The contiguous portion of a lot that fronts on a public right-of-way. Multiple frontages shall not be accumulated to meet minimum frontage requirement.
LOT LINES
The property lines bounding the lot.
(1) 
FRONT LOT LINE (STREET LINE)A lot line separating the lot from an existing or future street right-of-way (whichever contains a greater right-of-way width).
(2) 
REAR LOT LINEA lot line opposite and most distant from the front lot line. (A three-sided lot has no rear lot line.)
(3) 
SIDE LOT LINEAny lot line other than a front or rear lot line. A "side street lot line" is a side lot line separating a lot from a street.
SAMPLE LOT CONFIGURATIONS
(Note: Numbers correspond to the above Definitions)
022a Sample Lot Street Config.tif
LOT WIDTH
The horizontal distance between the side lot lines measured at the minimum prescribed front yard setback line as set forth in the Township Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27]. In order to avoid pie-shaped lots, the lot width at the rear property line must be at least two-thirds of the required lot width.
022a Sample Side Lot Configs.tif
022a Sample Yard Lot Configs.tif
MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT
An agreement (in a form and manner acceptable to the Township) requiring the developer of improvements which have been dedicated to make any repairs or reconstructions and to maintain such improvements for a period not to exceed 18 months from the date of acceptance of dedication.
MAINTENANCE GUARANTEE
The financial security which is acceptable to the Township (including acceptable letters of credit, performance bonds, escrow agreements and other similar collateral or surety) to secure the promise made by a developer in the maintenance agreement that dedicated improvements shall be maintained by the developer.
MARKER
A metal pipe or pin of at least 1/2 inch in diameter and at least 24 inches in length.
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, which is leased or rented by the park owner to the occupants of the mobile home erected on the lot.
MOBILE HOME PARK
A parcel of land under single ownership which has been planned and improved for the placement of two or more mobile homes for non-transient residential use.
MOBILE HOME STAND
That part of an individual lot which has been reserved for the placement of the mobile home, appurtenant structures, or additions.
MONUMENT
A reinforced concrete monument with a flat top at least four inches in diameter or square. It is recommended that the bottom sides or radius be at least two inches greater than the top to minimize movements caused by frost. At least 1/4 inch re-bar shall run from top to bottom of the monument and the monument shall be at least 30 inches in length.
MUNICIPALITIES PLANNING CODE (MPC)
The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247 of 1968, reenacted and amended December 21, 1988 by Act of 1988, P.L. 1329, No. 170, 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
MUNICIPALITY
The Township of Plainfield.
NONCONFORMING LOT
A lot that does not conform with the minimum width or area dimensions specified for the district where such lot is situated, but that was lawfully in existence at the time of enactment of the zoning ordinance. Contiguous nonconforming lots under common ownership shall be considered one lot.
OFFICIAL MAP
The Official Map as adopted or amended by the Board of Supervisors showing the characteristics of streets, watercourses and public ground.
OPEN SPACE
The area of a lot unoccupied by principal or accessory structures, streets, driveways, parking areas but may include areas occupied by walkways, patios and porches without roofs, playgrounds and other areas occupied by outdoor recreation or play apparatus, gardens and trees.
OPEN SPACE, COMMON
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.
OPEN SPACE, USABLE
Open space of a lot or tract used for residential purposes, exclusive of required front and side yard areas, which is suitable for specified use(s) or as outdoor recreation for the residents.
PARCEL
A tract, lot or area of land.
PARKING FACILITIES
Outdoor areas or specially designed buildings or garages used for the storage of vehicles.
PATHWAY
A pedestrian accessary which is not adjacent to a street, access drive or driveway and conforms with this Chapter.
PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE
Financial security which is acceptable to the Township including acceptable letters of credit, performance bonds, escrow agreements, and other similar collateral or surety agreements to secure the promise made by a developer in the development improvement agreement that certain improvements shall be made by the developer.
PERSON
An individual, corporation, unincorporated association, partnership, organization or other legal entity which is recognized by law as the subject of rights and duties. When used in a penalty provision, "person" shall include the members, trustees and/or officers.
PLAN (OR PLAT)
A map of a land development or subdivision or resubdivision of land.
(1) 
SKETCH PLANAn informal plan, identified as such with the title "sketch plan" on the map, indicating existing features of a tract and its surroundings and the general layout of the proposed subdivision.
(2) 
PRELIMINARY PLANA complete plan, identified as such with the title "preliminary plan," accurately showing proposed streets and lot layout and such other information as is required by this Chapter.
(3) 
FINAL PLANA complete and exact plan, identified as such with the title "final plan," prepared for official recording as required by this Chapter to define property rights and proposed streets and other improvements.
(4) 
OFFICIAL PLANThe Township Comprehensive Plan, and/or master plan, and/or ultimate right-of-way plan, and/or Official Map, and/or topographical survey and/or other such plans, or portions thereof, as may have been adopted by the Township pursuant to law.
(5) 
OFFICIAL STREET MAP OR STREET PLANA map, plan or survey now or hereafter adopted by the Township which shows the exact or general alignment, location and dimensions, and the identification and classification of existing and proposed streets, highways and other thoroughfares within the Township.
(6) 
RECORD PLANThe copy of the final plan which contains the original endorsements of the Township Planning Commission, and/or Township Board of Supervisors and which is recorded with the Northampton County Recorder of Deeds.
PLANNED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT (PRD)
An area of and, controlled by a single landowner, to be developed as a single entity for a number of dwelling units, or a combination of residential and nonresidential uses, the development plan for which does not correspond in lot size, bulk, type of dwelling or use, density or intensity, lot coverage and required open space to the regulations established in any one residential district created from time to time, under the provisions of a municipal zoning ordinance. A PRD development is of sufficient size to include a variety of types of housing, related nonresidential uses and substantial open areas; all of which result in a balanced development.
PLANNING COMMISSION OR TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION
The Planning Commission of the Township of Plainfield, Northampton County, Pennsylvania.
PROPERTY LINE
A dividing line between any tract of land, and all abutting tracts of land, whether publicly or privately owned.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice published once a 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.
RECREATIONAL OR SERVICE BUILDING
A structure housing operational, office, recreational, park maintenance, and other facilities built to conform to required local standards.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
A vehicle, with or without automotive power, which may be towed on the public highways by a passenger automobile 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 travel trailer or a camping trailer.
RESUBDIVISION
Any re-platting of land which involves a change of any existing lot line and does not involve the creation of any additional lot or lots, the creation of any new street or any extension of or improvements to an existing street. The deletion of a lot line for the purpose of joining or annexing a lot to an adjacent lot, parcel or tract of land shall be deemed a resubdivision. In any such resubdivision, a unification deed, containing one property description for the united lots, shall be recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of Northampton County following approval of the resubdivision, and evidence of the recording shall be submitted to the Township.
RIGHT-OF-WAY
The total width of any land reserved or dedicated as a street, sidewalk, or other public or semi-public purposes.
ROADSIDE SWALE
See "swale."
ROADWAY
See "cartway."
ROADWAY, PRIVATE
An accessary, paved or unpaved, intended for private vehicular use.
RUNOFF
The surface water discharge or rate of discharge of a given watershed after a fall of rain or snow that does not enter the soil but runs off the surface of the land.
RUNOFF FROM A FULLY DEVELOPED AREA UPSTREAM
The surface water runoff that can be reasonably anticipated upon maximum development of that area of the watershed located upstream from the subject tract, as permitted by the Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27] or Comprehensive Plan.
SANITARY SEWAGE DISPOSAL, CENTRALIZED
A sanitary sewage system in which sewage is carried by a system of pipes to a central treatment and disposal plant, commonly called a "package treatment plant." A centralized system generally serves a single land development, subdivision, or neighborhood, and is operated by a governmental agency, governmental authority, public utility company, or a developer.
SCREEN
A fence or natural obstruction of sufficient height (but not less than six feet high) to effectively visually obscure the area being screened from adjoining areas.
SEDIMENTATION
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."
SEPTIC TANK
A watertight receptacle which receives sewage or industrial waste and is designed and constructed to provide for sludge storage, sludge decomposition, and to separate solids from the liquid, through a period of detention before allowing the liquid to be discharged.
SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM
A system designed to collect, treat and dispose of sewage from users in compliance with regulations or the appropriate state agency and of the Township.
(1) 
CENTRALIZED SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMA sewage disposal system which collects, treats and disposes sewage from more than one dwelling, principal use or lot.
(2) 
PUBLIC SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMA centralized sewage disposal system owned and operated by a public authority.
(3) 
ON-LOT SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMA sewage disposal system which collects, treats and disposes of sewage or holds sewage from only one dwelling, principal use or lot.
SIDEWALK
A pedestrian accessary which is adjacent to a street, access drive, or driveway and conforms to the regulations of this Chapter.
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. Sight distance measurements shall be made between a point 3 1/2 feet (eye view) above the center line of the road surface and a point 1/2 foot (object) above the center line of the road surface.
SITE ALTERATION
Includes regrading the existing topography, filling lakes, ponds, marshes or floodplains, clearing vegetation or altering watercourses.
SLOPE
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.
SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT
The Soil and Water Conservation District for Northampton County.
SOIL PERCOLATION TEST
A field test conducted to determine suitability of the soil for on-site sanitary sewage disposal facilities by measuring the absorptive capacity of the soil at a given location and depth. An "indication percolation test" shall mean a percolation test consisting of one test hole for each proposed absorption area.
SOIL SURVEY
A scientific survey of soil conditions and characteristics prepared by an engineer or soil scientist and approved or certified by the U.S. Soil Conservation Service.
SOLAR ACCESS
The capability of receiving direct sunlight between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. (solar time) on any area of a lot not within required yard areas.
STREAM, DELINEATED
The blue line on a USGS or on a soil survey map or per PADEP requirements.
STREET
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.
(1) 
ARTERIAL STREETA street serving a large volume of comparatively high-speed and long distance traffic including all facilities so classified by the Township Comprehensive Plan. Arterial streets are those streets which are so designated on the official street classification map.
(2) 
COLLECTOR STREETA 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). Collector streets are those streets which are so designated on the official street classification map.
(3) 
LOCAL STREETA street used primarily to provide access from abutting properties.
(4) 
CUL-DE-SAC STREETA local street intersecting another street at one end and terminating in a vehicular turnaround at the other.
(5) 
HALF (PARTIAL) STREETA 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.
(6) 
MARGINAL ACCESS STREETA 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.
(7) 
PRIVATE STREETAn access point, not ordained by the Township for the general public use but, for the use of only those who have private ownership or right-of-way over said access point.
(8) 
SERVICE STREET (see "ALLEY")A minor right-of-way providing secondary vehicular access to the side or rear of two or more properties.
STREET LINE
The limit of a right-of-way.
STRUCTURE
Any man-made object having an ascertainable, stationary location on or in land or water, whether or not affixed to the land. The term "structure" shall include buildings, signs, fences, walls, towers, swimming pools, porches, garages and similar structures. "Structure" shall be interpreted as including the words "or part thereof."
SUBDIVISION
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 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 exempted.
(1) 
MINOR SUBDIVISIONAny subdivision which involves the creation of no more than a total of three residential lots now or in the future, does not involve the creation of any new street or easement for access (all proposed lots shall have frontage on an existing public street), the extension or improvement of any existing street, or the extension of any municipal water or sanitary sewer facilities or other public improvements and which has not been previously subdivided to create a total of four or more new lots in the past five days. (The currently proposed subdivision is to be included in calculation of the total lots created.)
SUBDIVISION ADMINISTRATOR
The Township official charged by the Township Board of Supervisors with the responsibility of administering the subdivision application submission procedure.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
(1) 
A written report and/or accumulation of test data, calculations or other engineering data required to support a proposed design. This may also include calculations or studies to support an existing structure and/or condition as being adequate.
(2) 
Easement restrictions and covenants.
(3) 
Certifications by other reviewing agencies that the proposed plan may have an impact on.
SURVEYOR
Licensed surveyor registered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
SWALE
A natural or man-made drainage channel that has an upstream contributing area less than 10 acres.
TILE ABSORPTION FIELD
A system of open jointed or perforated pipes laid in the upper strata of the soil to distribute sewage effluent into the soil for absorption and vaporization.
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 and B horizons.
WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, CENTRALIZED
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.
WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, ON-LOT
A system for supplying and distributing water to a single dwelling or other building from a source located on the same lot.
WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, PUBLIC
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.
WATERCOURSE
Any natural or artificial waterway, stream, river, creek, ditch, channel, millrace, canal, gully, ravine or wash in which water flows in a definite direction or course, either continually or intermittently, and which has a definite channel and bed. This term shall include any area adjacent thereto, (floodway fringe) subject to inundation by reason of overflow of flood waters.
WETLANDS
Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency or duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturate soil conditions, including swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas.
YARD
An open space on the same lot with a structure (or a group of structures) which lies between the required building setback lines and the lot lines and which is unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground upward except as permitted in the Township Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
(1) 
FRONT YARDAn open, unoccupied space, open to the sky, between the front property line and a line drawn parallel thereto at such distance therefrom as may be specified for any zoning district, and extending for the full width of the lot.
(2) 
SIDE YARDAn open, unoccupied space, open to the sky, between the side property line and a line drawn parallel thereto at such distance therefrom as may be specified for any zoning district, and extending the full depth of the lot.
(3) 
REAR YARDAn open, unoccupied space, open to the sky, between the rear property line and a line drawn parallel thereto at such distance therefrom as may be specified for any zoning district, and extending the full depth of the lot.
022b Lot Reqs.tif
ZONING BOARD
The Zoning Hearing Board of the Township of Plainfield.
ZONING ORDINANCE
The Plainfield Township Zoning Ordinance, including the Official Zoning Map, Official Street Classifications Map and any amendments enacted by the Board of Supervisors [Chapter 27].
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Editor's Note: The Unit Property Act, 68 P.S. § 700.101 et seq., was repealed and replaced by the Uniform Condominium Act, 68 Pa.C.S.A. § 3101 et seq., on July 2, 1980.