Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words shall, for the purpose of this chapter, have the meaning herein indicated. The present tense shall include the future; the singular number shall include the plural; words used in the masculine gender shall include the feminine and the neuter; the word "shall" is always mandatory; the word "may" is always permissive.
Any persons other than the subdivider or land developer who, acting for the subdivider or land developer, submits to the Township subdivision or land development plans for the purpose of obtaining approval thereof.
Agricultural soils shall be recognized and classified as follows:
PRIME FARMLANDThe following soil types classified in the Soil Survey of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, September 2002 Report, or as amended, shall be recognized as prime agricultural soils. Soils mapping within the soil survey shall be utilized to determine the presence of prime agricultural soils unless a site specific soil classification of the tract has been completed by certified soil scientist.
Manuscript Symbol | Mapping Unit Name |
|---|---|
AlA | Alton gravelly loam, 0% to 3% slopes |
AlB | Alton gravelly loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
ArB | Arendtsville gravelly silt loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
BeA | Bedington channery silt loam, 0% to 3% slopes |
BeB | Bedington channery silt loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
BrB | Brecknock channery silt loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
BsA | Brownsburg silt loam, 0% to 3% slopes |
BsB | Brownsburg silt loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
CdA | Chester silt loam, 0% to 3% slopes |
CdB | Chester silt loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
CmB | Clarksburg silt loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
DaA | Delaware loam, 0% to 3% slopes |
DaB | Delaware loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
DfB | Duffield silt loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
DuA | Duncannon silt loam, 0% to 3% slopes |
DuB | Duncannon silt loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
EcB | Edgemont channery loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
FoA | Fountainville silt loam, 0% to 3% slopes |
FoB | Fountainville silt loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
GlB | Gladstone gravelly silt loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
GrA | Glenville silt loam, 0% to 3% slopes |
GrB | Glenville silt loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
LgA | Lansdale loam, 0% to 3% slopes |
LgB | Lansdale loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
LkA | Lawrenceville silt loam, 0% to 3% slopes |
LmA | Lehigh channery silt loam, 0% to 3% slopes |
LmB | Lehigh channery silt loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
Lt | Linden loam |
MaB | Manor loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
McA | Matapeake silt loam, 0% to 3% slopes |
McB | Matapeake silt loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
MdA | Mattapex silt loam, 0% to 3% slopes |
MlA | Mount lucas silt loam, 0% to 3% slopes |
MlB | Mount lucas silt loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
NbB | Neshaminy silt loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
PeA | Penn channery silt loam, 0% to 3% slopes |
PeB | Penn channery silt loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
PnB | Penn-Lansdale complex, 3% to 8% slopes |
RaA | Raritan silt loam, 0% to 3% slopes |
RaB | Raritan silt loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
ReA | Readington silt loam, 0% to 3% slopes |
Ro | Rowland silt loam |
WaB | Washington silt loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
STATEWIDE IMPORTANT FARMLANDThe following soil types classified in the Soils Survey of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, September 2002 Report, or as amended, shall be recognized as statewide important farmland soils. Soils mapping within the soil survey shall be utilized to determine the presence of statewide important farmland soils unless a site specific soil classification of the tract has been completed by a certified soil scientist.
Statewide Important Farmland | |
|---|---|
Manuscript Symbol | Mapping Unit Name |
AbA | Abbottstown silt loam, 0% to 3% slopes |
AbB | Abbottstown silt loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
AbC | Abbottstown silt loam, 8% to 15% slopes |
AmA | Amell silt loam, 0% to 3% slopes |
AmB | Amell silt loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
ArC | Arendtsville gravelly silt loam, 8% to 15% slopes |
BeC | Bedington channery silt loam, 8% to 15% slopes |
BrC | Brecknock channery silt loam, 8% to 15% slopes |
BsC | Brownsburg silt loam, 8% to 15% slopes |
BwB | Buckingham silt loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
CbA | Chalfont silt loam, 0% to 3% slopes |
CbB | Chalfont silt loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
CdC | Chester silt loam, 8% to 15% slopes |
CyB | Culleoka-weikert channery silt loam, 0% to 3% slopes |
CyC | Culleoka-weikert channery silt loam, 8% to 15% slopes |
DgC | Duffield-ryder silt barns, 8% to 15% slopes |
EcC | Edgmont channery loam, 8% to 15% slopes |
FoC | Fountainville silt loam, 8% to 15% slopes |
GlC | Gladstone gravelly silt loam, 8% to 15% slopes |
GlD | Gladstone gravelly silt loam, 15% to 25% slopes |
GnC | Glenelg channery silt loam, 8% to 15% slopes |
Ha | Hatboro silt loam (Farmland of statewide importance) |
KlB | Klinesville very channery silt loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
LgC | Lansdale loam, 8% to 15% slopes |
LgD | Lansdale loam, 15% to 25% slopes |
LkB | Lawrenceville silt loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
LmC | Lehigh channery silt loam, 8% to 15% slopes |
MaC | Manor loam, 8% to 15% slopes |
MlC | Mount lucas silt loam, 8% to 15% slopes |
NbC | Neshaminy silt loam, 8% to 15% slopes |
NkA | Nockamixon silt loam, 0% to 3% slopes |
NkB | Nockamixon silt loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
NkC | Nockamixon silt loam, 8% to 15% slopes |
PeC | Penn channery silt loam, 8% to 15% slopes |
PkB | Penn-klinesville channery silt loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
PkC | Penn-klinesville channery silt loam, 8% to 15% slopes |
PkD | Penn-klinesville channery silt loam, 15% to 25% slopes |
PnC | Penn-lansdale complex channery silt loam, 8% to 15% slopes |
RaC | Raritan silt loam, 8% to 15% slopes |
ReB | Readington silt loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
RlA | Reaville channery silt loam, 0% to 3% slopes |
RlB | Reaville channery silt loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
RlC | Reaville channery silt loam, 8% to 15% slopes |
StB | Steinsburg gravelly loam, 3% to 8% slopes |
StC | Steinsburg gravelly loam, 8% to 15% slopes |
WaC | Washington silt loam, 8% to 15% slopes |
A strip of land over which there is a public or private right-of-way which serves as the secondary means of vehicular access to the side or rear of two or more properties. Frontage on such a right-of-way shall not be construed as satisfying the requirements of Township ordinances relating to frontage on a street.
Areas subject to periodic flooding and listed in the Soil Survey of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, U.S. Department of Agricultural Natural Resource Conservation Service 2002 Report as being "on, or in, the floodplain" or subject to flooding. The following soil types are alluvial and/or floodplain soils:
Alluvial land |
Alton gravelly loam, flooded |
Bowmansville silt loam |
Fluvaquents |
Hatboro silt loam |
Holly Silt Loam |
Marsh |
Nanicoke Silt loam |
Pope loam |
Rowland silt loam |
A landowner, or developer, as hereinafter defined, who has filed an application for development including his/her heirs, successors and assigns.
Every application, whether tentative, preliminary, or final required to be filed and approved prior to 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.
A professional architect licensed as such by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
An earth mound which physically blocks views without using architectural elements.
A tract of land bounded by streets. Block length shall be measured along the center line of a street between center lines of intersecting streets.
Any structure having a roof supported by columns or walls and intended for shelter, housing, or enclosure of persons, animals or chattels, and including covered porches or bay windows and chimneys. Included shall be all manufactured homes and trailers to be used for human habitation.
The portion of a street right-of-way normally paved or stoned and designed or intended for vehicular use.
An area of unobstructed vision at street intersection defined by lines of sight between points at a given distance from the intersection of the street right-of-way lines.
A parcel of land or an area of water, or a combination of land and water, within a development site and designed and intended for the use or enjoyment of residents of a development, not including streets, off-street parking areas, and areas set aside for public facilities.
(An ownership arrangement and not a land use) a method of ownership which, when applied to a multifamily dwelling, provides for separate ownership for each unit, title of which shall consist of ownership of the unit together with an undivided interest in the common element.
Bucks Conservation District.
The County of Bucks, Pennsylvania.
The Planning Commission of the County of Bucks.
A right-of-way or easement for pedestrian travel which crosses a cartway.
A street intersecting another street at one end and terminating at the other in a vehicular turnaround.
A pipe, conduit, or similar structure including appurtenant works which convey surface water.
The measure of the number of dwelling units per acre as determined by Township Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 234] regulations.
Regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter establishing minimum or maximum standards and a layout by which a subdivision and land development is developed.
The magnitude of precipitation from a storm event measured in probability of occurrence (i.e., fifty-year storm) and duration (i.e., twenty-four-hour), and used in computing stormwater management control system.
A basin designed to retard stormwater runoff by temporarily storing the runoff and releasing it at a predetermined rate.
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.
Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate including, but not limited to, the construction or placement of buildings or other structures, mobile homes, streets and other paving, utilities, mining, dredging, filling, grading, excavation, or drilling operations, and the subdivision of land.
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. The phrase "provisions of development plan" when used in this chapter shall mean the written and graphic materials referred to in this definition.
Any ditch, gutter, swale, culvert, basin, storm sewer or other structure designed, intended or constructed for the purpose of conveying, diverting or controlling surface water or groundwater.
The lands required for the installation of stormwater sewers or drainage ditches, or required along a natural stream or watercourse for preserving the channel and providing for the flow of water therein to safeguard the public against flood damage and unnatural erosion.
A private vehicular passageway providing access between a street and a private parking area or private garage.
A private vehicular passage way providing access between a street and private parking area or garage serving four or less dwellings. Shared driveways may cross through lots provided access easements are established. Lot frontage on such easements shall not be utilized to meet minimum lot width requirements of the Township Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 234].
A building designed and occupied exclusively for residential purposes containing one or more dwelling units on a single parcel of land, excluding hotel, rooming house, tourist home, institutional home, guest house, residential club, motel, motor court, and the like.
Any room or group of rooms located within a residential building and forming a single, habitable unit with facilities used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking and eating, by one family.
A grant for the use of a parcel of land by the public, a corporation, or a person, for a specified purpose.
An easement precluding future or additional development or alteration of the land.
Any placement or obstruction in a delineated floodway, wetland, right-of-way, easement, required yard, setback, or adjacent land.
A professional engineer licensed as such in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The removal of soil particles by the action of water, wind, ice, or other geological agents.
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.
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 a 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 ground elevation.
The material used to fill.
Any approved security which may be in lieu of a requirement that certain improvements be made before the Board of Supervisors approves a final subdivision or land development plan, including escrow agreements, and other similar collateral or surety agreements.
A temporary inundation of normally dry land areas.
Any combination of structural and nonstructural additions, changes, or adjustments to structures which reduce or eliminate flood damage to real estate or improved real property, water and sanitary facilities, structures, and their contents.
[Amended 2-19-2015 by Ord. No. 156]
Any areas of Nockamixon Township classified as special flood hazard areas (SFHAs) in the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and the accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), dated March 16, 2015, and issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), or the most-recent revision thereof, including all digital data developed as part of the Flood Insurance Study; and
For areas abutting streams and watercourses where the one-hundred-year floodplain (one-percent annual chance flood) has not been delineated by the Flood Insurance Study, the applicant shall submit a floodplain identification study. The study, prepared by a registered professional engineer expert in the preparation of hydrologic and hydraulic studies, shall be used to delineate the one-hundred-year floodplain. The floodplain study shall be subject to the review and approval of the Township. All areas inundated by the one-hundred-year flood shall be included in the floodplain area.
A relatively flat or low land area which is subject to partial or complete inundation from an adjoining or nearby stream, river or watercourse; and/or any area subject to the unusual and rapid accumulation of surface waters from any source.
Areas subject to periodic flooding and listed in the Soil Survey of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation Service, 2002, as being "on the floodplain" or "subject to flooding." Refer definition of "alluvial soils" (this section) for listing of floodplain soil types.
The channel of the watercourse and portions of the adjoining floodplains which are reasonably required to carry and discharge the one-hundred-year frequency flood. Unless otherwise specified, the boundary of the floodway is as indicated on maps and flood insurance studies provided by FEMA. In an area where no FEMA maps or studies have defined the boundary of the one-hundred-year frequency floodway, it is assumed, absent evidence to the contrary, that the floodway extends from both sides of the stream to 50 feet from the top of each bank of the stream.
Area between the floodway and boundary of the one-hundred-year flood. For purpose of definition, it is the area of the floodplain that could be completely obstructed without increasing the water surface elevation of the one-hundred-year flood more than one foot at any point. Floodway and floodway fringe are typically calculated by equal conveyance reduction from each side of the floodplain.
Areas, groves or stands of trees having a diameter greater than six inches measured at four feet above the ground (diameter breast height, hereafter "dbh") covering an area of 1/4 acre or greater where there is at least one mature tree (10 inches or greater dbh) per 1,500 square feet of lot area; or groves of mature trees having a diameter 10 inches or greater dbh and consisting of more than 10 individual trees with that diameter forming a continuous canopy.
Refer "lot width."
The Board of Supervisors of Nockamixon Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
The slope of a street, other public way, land area, drainage facility or pipe specified in percent.
A plan showing all existing ground features and proposed grading, including existing and proposed surface and subsurface drainage facilities, described by grades, contours, and topography.
Natural underground water supplies.
Soils that are categorized as poorly drained that can support hydrophytic plants, but may not do so in many cases. For the purpose of this chapter, hydric soils may be wetland indicator soils. (Refer "wetlands") The following soils, classified in the Soil Survey of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service published 2002, are a partial listing of hydric soils:
Bowmansville silt loam |
Croton silt loam |
Doylestown silt loam |
Fallsington silt loam |
Fluvaquents |
Hatboro silt loam |
Holly silt loam |
Lamington silt loam |
Nanticoke silt loam |
Othello silt loam |
Towhee silt loam |
Towhee extremely stony silt loam |
The floodplain area specifically identified in this chapter as being inundated by the one-hundred-year flood. Included would be areas identified as Floodway (FW), Flood-Fringe (FF) and General Floodplain (FA).
Impervious surfaces are those surfaces which do not absorb precipitation and surface water. All buildings, parking areas, driveways, roads, sidewalks, swimming pools, and any areas in concrete, asphalt, packed stone, or other equivalent surfaces shall be considered impervious surfaces within this definition. In addition, other areas determined by the Township Engineer to be impervious within the meaning of this definition will be classified as impervious surfaces.
Include, but are not limited to, traffic study, stormwater management study, floodplain study, wetland studies, erosion and sedimentation pollution control narrative, geological studies for water supply, sewage facilities alternatives study, etc. Studies requiring engineering calculations shall be prepared, signed, and sealed by a licensed professional engineer when deemed necessary by the Township.
Those physical additions, installations, and changes required to render land suitable for the use intended including, but not limited to, grading, paving, curbing, street lights and signs, fire hydrants, water mains, electric service, gas service, sanitary sewers, storm drains, sidewalks, crosswalks, driveways, culverts, and street shade trees.
Year round bodies of water. The shoreline of such bodies shall be measured from the maximum permanent pool elevations.
Any of the following activities:
The improvement of one or two or more contiguous lots, tracts or parcels of land for any purpose involving:
A group of two or more residential or nonresidential buildings, whether purposed initially or cumulatively, or a single nonresidential building on a lot or lots regardless of the number of occupants or tenure.
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.
A subdivision of land.
"Land development" does not include development which involves:
The conversion of an existing single-family detached dwelling or single-family semi-detached dwelling into not more than three residential units, unless such units are intended to be a condominium.
The addition of a residential accessory building, farm building, including construction to establish any uses provided under § 234-17A.1 (agricultural and horticultural) A-4 (accessory agricultural sales/farm stand) and H-1 through H-8 (accessory uses) of the Nockamixon Township Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 234].
The addition or conversion of buildings or rides within the confines of an enterprise which would be considered an amusement park. For the purposes of this subsection, an amusement park is defined as a tract or area used principally as a location for permanent amusement structures or rides. This exclusion shall not apply to newly acquired acreage by an amusement park until initial plans for the expanded area have been approved by the proper authorities.
The legal or beneficial 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), a lessee, if he/she is authorized under the lease to exercise the rights of the landowner, or other person having a proprietary interest in land.
A parcel of land, used or set aside and available for use as the site of one or more buildings and any buildings accessory thereto, or for any other purpose, in one ownership and not divided by a street, nor including any land within the ultimate right-of-way of a public or private street upon which said lot abuts, even if the ownership to such right-of-way is the owner of the lot. In the case where an existing deeded parcel of land is divided into two or more tracts by public street; for the purposes of this chapter, each tract shall be considered a separate lot.
LOT, CORNERA lot which has an interior angle of less than 135° at the intersection of two street lines. A lot abutting upon a curved street or streets shall be considered a corner lot if the tangent to the curve at the points beginning within the lot or at the points of intersection of the side lot lines with the street lines intersects at an angle of less than 135°.
LOT, DEPTHThe mean distance from the ultimate right-of-way line of the lot to its opposite rear line measured in a direction parallel to the side lines of the lot. Lot depth for triangular lots shall be the mean distance from the street line to the point of intersection of the side yards.
LOT, DOUBLE FRONTAGEA lot (except for a corner lot) which fronts two interior proposed streets within a subdivision.
LOT, FLAG (LANE)A lot which meets the criteria for an exception to the minimum lot width requirements under § 234-26E of the Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 234].
LOT, INTERIORA lot, other than a corner lot.
LOT, MINIMUM WIDTHThe minimum required lot width measured at the required building setback line.
LOT, NONCONFORMINGA lot, the area or dimension of, which was lawful prior to the adoption or amendment of the relevant Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 234], but which fails to conform to the requirements of the zoning district under the current Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 234].
LOT OF RECORDA lot which has been recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds.
LOT, REVERSE FRONTAGEA lot (excluding corner lots) which abuts both a proposed street and an existing street of higher classification, with vehicular access solely from the street of lower classification.
LOT, THROUGHAn interior lot having frontage on two parallel or approximately parallel streets.
LOT, TRIANGULARA lot having three lot lines, but which does not qualify as a corner lot.
LOT, WIDTH (FRONTAGE)The distance measured between the side lot lines, at the required minimum building setback line. In a case where there is only one side lot line, lot width shall be measured between such side lot line and the opposite rear lot line or street line.
A property boundary line of any lot held in single and separate ownership, except that, in the case of any lot abutting a street, the lot line for such portions of the lot as abuts the street shall be deemed to be the same as the ultimate right-of-way line, and shall not be the center line of the street or any other line within the street line even though such may be the property boundary line.
A minor subdivision of land resulting in revised property boundaries between two or more existing lots, and not resulting in the creation of any additional lots.
Any security which may be accepted by the Township for the maintenance of any improvements required by this chapter.
Any subdivision not classified as a minor subdivision or lot line adjustment.
A dwelling unit erected on a foundation and made of one or more sections built in a factory. The completed unit shall meet all applicable building codes in effect.
Any division or re-division of a lot, tract or parcel of land by any means into not more than two lots.
A transportable, single-family dwelling intended for permanent occupancy, contained in one unit, or in two or more 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 without a permanent foundation. For the purposes of this chapter, travel trailers are not considered as mobile homes.
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.
A parcel or contiguous parcels of land which has been so designated and improved that it contains two or more mobile home lots for the placement thereon of mobile homes.
A body politic and corporate created pursuant to the Act of May 2, 1945, (P.L. 382, No. 164), known as the "Municipalities Authorities Act of 1945."
A professional engineer licensed as such in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and appointed by the Township pursuant to Article V of the Second Class Township Code.
Act of Assembly of July 31, 1968, P.L. 805, as amended.
A flood that, on the average, is likely to occur once every 100 years (i.e., that has one-percent chance of occurring each year, although the flood may occur in any year).
Any parcel or area of land or water essentially unimproved and set aside, dedicated or reserved for resource protection, public or private use and enjoyment, or for the use and enjoyment of owners and occupants of land adjoining or neighboring such open space. Open space shall not include land occupied by non-recreational structures, roads, street rights-of-way, parking lots, land reserved for future parking, stormwater detention/retention facilities, buffers, areas of public facilities such as community sewage disposal systems, or any portion of required minimum lot areas as required by this chapter.
Land within or related to a development, not individually owned or dedicated for public use, which is designed and intended for the common use or enjoyment of the residents of the development and may include such complementary structures and improvements as may be required and/or appropriate.
An off-street area on a lot with an all-weather surface available for the storage of one motor vehicle and having dimensions as required by the Township Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 234] and this chapter, exclusive of passageways and driveways appurtenant thereto, and having individual direct access to a street without moving another vehicle.
An individual, partnership, public or private association or corporation, firm, trust, estate, municipality, governmental unit, public utility or any other legal entity whatsoever which is recognized by law as the subject of rights and duties.
A complete and exact plan prepared by a licensed engineer or surveyor, prepared for official recording, showing right-of-way lines, easements, lot dimensions with bearings, lot numbers, and any other relevant information pertaining to the street and lot subdivision or land development. The final plan shall include improvement construction documents prepared by a licensed engineer where applicable. Final plan must show typical cross-section of streets and the horizontal and vertical details (plan-profiles of all streets, drainage facilities, sanitary sewers, water mains, fire hydrants, street lights, and all underground and above ground utility conduits and poles). An exact copy of the approved final plan on opaque linen of standard size shall be submitted for necessary signatures and recording with the Bucks County Recorder of Deeds.
A plan prepared by a licensed engineer and/or surveyor showing the existing features of a tract and its surroundings and proposed street and lot layout within and adjacent to the subdivision or land development, as a basis for consideration prior to preparation of a final plan. Preliminary plan shall include improvement construction documents prepared by a licensed engineer (where applicable). Preliminary plan must show typical cross section of the streets and the horizontal and vertical details (plan-profiles of all streets, drainage facilities, sanitary sewers, water mains, fire hydrants, street lights, and all underground and above ground utility conduits and poles).
An informal plan indicating salient existing features of a tract and its surroundings and a general layout of the proposed subdivision or land development, to be used as the basis of informal discussions between representatives of the Township and the subdivider or land developer.
A plan approved by the Bucks County Conservation District for controlling erosion and sediment during construction which shall provide all steps, including scheduling, to assure erosion and sediment control during all phases of construction, including final stabilization.
The Nockamixon Township Planning Commission.
A map or plan of subdivision or land development whether sketch, preliminary or final.
Any parks, playgrounds, trails, paths or other recreational areas; any water or sewer collection, transportation or treatment facilities; all street, sidewalk, curb or other roadway facilities to be dedicated; and any drainage or utility easement areas to be dedicated to the Township. Any public improvements required by ordinance or otherwise to be constructed and dedicated to the Township.
A formal meeting held pursuant to public notice by the Board of Supervisors or Planning Commission of the Township, intended to inform and obtain public comment, prior to taking action in accordance with this chapter.
A forum held pursuant to notice under the Act of July 3, 1986, (P.L. 388, No. 84), known as the "Sunshine Act," 53 P.S. § 271 et seq.
Notice published once each week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in Nockamixon 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.
The following definitions apply to the recreation facilities required by § 196-525 of this chapter:
TOT LOTA confined, developed, neighborhood play area primarily for use by preschool children under the supervision of parents or guardian.
PLAYFIELDA common area within a subdivision or land development for neighborhood residents to use for informal, active recreation purposes such a ball games and other activities requiring a large lawn area, away from homes or other buildings for their proper conduct.
BASKETBALL COURTA complete basketball facility including paved, standard-sized court area, with posts, backboards, and baskets at both ends of the court.
TENNIS COURTA complete tennis facility including paved, standard-sized court area, posts, net and fencing around its perimeter.
SWIMMING POOLA complete swimming facility including the pool, surrounding paved deck, lawn area, lifeguard and bathroom facilities, and appropriate mechanical equipment.
A narrow parcel of ground having inadequate area for building purposes separating a street or a proposed street from other adjacent properties.
A basin designed to retain stormwater runoff so that a permanent pool is established.
A strip of land occupied, or intended to be occupied, by a street, sidewalk, alley, utilities or other similar use.
EXISTING (LEGAL) RIGHT-OF-WAYThe legal right-of-way as established by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or other appropriate governing authority and currently in existence.
FUTURE (ULTIMATE) RIGHT-OF-WAYThe right-of-way deemed necessary by the Nockamixon Township Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 234], and this chapter to provide adequate width for future street improvements.
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; that part of precipitation which flows over the land.
Solid material, both mineral and organic, that is in suspension, has been transported, or has been moved from its site of origin by water.
The process by which mineral or organic material is accumulated or deposited by the movement of wind and water, or by gravity. Once this matter is deposited, or remains suspended in water, it is usually referred to as "sediment."
Crushed stone backfill graded in accordance with PennDOT Form 408.
Earth backfill material free of organics and other objectionable material being a well-graded mixture of rock and soil with no particle size greater than eight inches.
The minimum distance that a building must be held back from an adjacent lot line, depending on the applicable zoning district, or the minimum distance from the ultimate right-of-way, depending on the applicable street, road or highway.
A system, whether publicly or privately owned, for the collection of sewage or non-hazardous 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.
A 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 waters of the Commonwealth or by means of conveyance to another site for final disposal.
Includes safe sight distance, safe stopping site distance, passing sight distance, and decision site distance as defined and regulated by Pennsylvania Code Title 67, Chapter 441, and PennDOT Design Manual, Part 2, Publication 13. Sight distance for intersection of streets, alleys, and driveways shall be measured (unobstructed) from a point 10 feet back from edge of pavement at a height of 3 1/2 feet above the pavement surface to another point six inches above the pavement surface.
The site shall be defined as a parcel or parcels of land intended to have one or more buildings or intended to be subdivided into one or more lots.
The face of an embankment of cut or fill 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.
A field test conducted to determine the absorption capacity of soil to a specified depth in a given location for the purpose of determining suitability of soil for on-site sewage disposal.
Includes street, avenue, boulevard, road, highway, freeway, parkway, lane, viaduct, alley, or any other ways used or intended to be used by vehicular traffic or pedestrians, whether public or private, which are identified, on the legally adopted Township Street or Highway Plan, Comprehensive Plan, or the Official Map together with all necessary appurtenances, including bridges, rights-of-way and traffic control improvements. The term shall not include the interstate highway system.
EXPRESSWAYHighways designed for large volumes of high-speed traffic with access limited to grade separated intersections.
LOCAL ACCESS STREETSThose used primarily to provide access to abutting properties.
COLLECTOR STREETSStreets which give minimal emphasis to travel mobility, which is characterized by low travel speeds, full land access, neighborhood penetration, and which serve minor traffic generators such as local elementary schools, small individual industrial plants, offices, commercial facilities and warehouses not served by principal or minor arterials.
ARTERIAL STREETSThose serving large volumes of comparatively high-speed and long-distance traffic, and include facilities classified as main and secondary highways by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
MARGINAL ACCESS STREETSMinor streets, parallel and adjacent to arterial streets, providing access to abutting properties and control of intersections with the arterial street.
CUL-DE-SACA minor street intersecting another street at one end and terminated at the other by a vehicular turnaround.
Any man-made object having an ascertainable stationary location on or in land or water, whether or not affixed to the land.
The division or re-division 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, 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, access, or any residential dwelling, shall be exempted.
Where in the judgment of the Township Engineer, at least 90% (based on the cost of the required improvements for which financial security was posted pursuant to the requirements of this chapter) of those improvements required as a condition for final approval have been completed in accordance with the approved plan, so that the project will be able to be used, occupied or operated for its intended use.
A licensed surveyor registered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
A low-lying stretch of land characterized as a depression used to carry surface water runoff.
Surface soils and subsurface soils which normally 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 Horizon.
The line marking the outer edge of the branches of the tree.
An area that is radial to the trunk of a tree. The tree protection zone shall be 15 feet from the trunk of the tree to be retained or the distance from the trunk to the drip line (the line marking the outer edge of the branches of the tree), whichever is greater. Where there is a group of trees or woodlands, the tree protection zone shall be the aggregate of the protection zones for the individual trees.
Any lot, tract or parcel of land which has not been graded or in any other manner improved.
A part of the property, structure or building designed or intended for any type of independent use, which has direct exit to a public street or way, or to an easement or right-of-way leading to a public street or way, and includes a proportionate undivided interest in the common elements, which is assigned to the property, structure or building.
Those services customarily rendered by public utility corporations, municipalities or municipal authorities, including by not limited to, electric, gas, telecommunications, water, and sewerage, including the appurtenances used in connection with the supplying of such services (buildings, wires, pipes, poles, etc.).
Any water works, water supply works, water distribution system or part thereof, designed, intended or constructed to provide or distribute potable water.[1]
An intermittent or perennial stream of water, river, brook, creek, swale; a channel or ditch for water, whether natural or man-made.
Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water 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, bog and similar areas. The term also includes, but is not limited to, wetland areas listed in the State Water Plan, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Wetlands Inventory of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Coastal Zone Management Plan and a wetland area designated by a river basin commission, or other wetland mapping adopted by the Township.
The process by which wetland limits are determined. Wetlands must be delineated by a qualified specialist according to the 1989 Federal Manuals (as amended) for the Delineation of Jurisdictional Wetlands (whichever is greater) or according to any subsequent Federal or State regulation. Qualified specialist shall include those persons being certified professional soil scientists as registered with Registry of Certified Professionals in Agronomy Crops and Soils (ARCPACS); or as contained on consultant's list of Pennsylvania Association of Professional Soil Scientists (PAPSS); or as registered with National Society of Consulting Soil Scientists (NSCSS), or as certified by State and/or Federal certification programs; or by a qualified biologist/ecologist.
[1]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "water survey," which immediately followed, was repealed 9-21-2023 by Ord. No. 174.