For the purpose of these rules and regulations, unless a contrary
intention clearly appears, the terms and words defined in the Subdivision
Control Law (MGL c. 41, §§ 81-K through 81-GG) shall
have the meanings given therein. The following other terms and words
shall have the following meanings:
APPLICANT
Includes an owner or his agent or representative or his assigns.
ARTERIAL STREETS
Highways which connect Northbridge and other towns and form
part of the state highway system.
BOARD
The Planning Board of the Town of Northbridge.
MGL
Massachusetts General Law.
STREETS
A.
ARTERIAL STREETSHighways which connect Northbridge and other towns and form part of the state highway system.
B.
MAJOR STREETSThose streets which carry traffic from developed areas to an arterial street.
D.
MINOR STREETSStreets which provide primary access to abutting properties.
SUBDIVISION
The division of a tract of land into one or more lots, and
shall include resubdivision and, when appropriate to the context,
shall relate to the process of subdivision or the land or territory
subdivided; provided, however, that the division of a tract of land
into two or more lots shall not be deemed to constitute a subdivision
within the meaning of the Subdivision Control Law if, at the time
when it is made, every lot within the tract so divided has frontage
on a public way or a way which the Town Clerk certifies is maintained
and used as public way or a ways shown on a plan theretofore approved
and endorsed in accordance with the Subdivision Control Law or a way
in existence when the Subdivision Control Law became effective in
the Town of Northbridge, having, in the opinion of the Board, sufficient
width, suitable grades and adequate construction to provide for the
needs of vehicular traffic in relation to the proposed use of the
land abutting thereon or served thereby and for the buildings erected
or to be erected thereon. Such frontage shall be at least of such
distance as is then required by zoning or other ordinances or bylaws
for the erection of a building on such lot. Conveyances or other instruments
adding to, taking away from or changing the size and shape of lots
in such a manner as not to leave any lot so affected without frontage
above set forth or the division of a tract of land on which two or
more buildings were standing when the Subdivision Control Law went
into effect in the Town of Northbridge into separate lots onto of
which one of such buildings remains standing shall not constitute
a "subdivision."
SUBDIVISION, TYPE I
A subdivision for residential purposes in which the minimum
lot size in the applicable zoning district is 20,000 square feet or
more.
SUBDIVISION, TYPE II
A subdivision for residential purposes in which the minimum
lot size in the applicable zoning district is less than 20,000 square
feet.
No more than one building designed or available for use for
dwelling purposes shall be erected or placed or converted to use as
such on any lot in a subdivision or elsewhere in the Town of Northbridge
without the consent of the Board. Such consent may be conditional
upon the providing of adequate ways furnishing access to each site
for such building in the same manner as otherwise required for lots
within a subdivision.
No person shall make a subdivision within the meaning of the
Subdivision Control Law of any land within the town or proceed with
the improvement or sale of lots in a subdivision or the construction
of ways or the installation of municipal services therein unless and
until a definitive plan has been submitted to and approved by the
Board and only then in accordance with the conditions of approval
and the procedures set out in these rules and regulations.