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.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A flood that, on the average, is likely to occur once every
100 years (i.e., that has 1% chance of occurring each year, although
the flood may occur in any year).
The establishment of forest by planting on lands which are
not currently forest.
Those soils recognized and classified as either prime farmland
(Capability Classification 1 or 2) or farmland of statewide importance
(Capability Classification 3) according to the United States Department
of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soils Survey
(http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/). They consist of the following:
Prime farmland.
|
Manuscript Symbol
|
Soil Name
|
|---|---|
|
AIA
|
Alton gravelly loam, 0% to 3% slopes
|
|
AIB
|
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
|
Farmland of statewide importance. The following soil types shall
be recognized and classified as agricultural soils of statewide importance:
|
Manuscript Symbol
|
Soil 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 loams, 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
|
If, in the future, the United States Department of Agriculture,
Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soils Survey, is amended
or revised to include different soils types under the classification
of prime farmland or farmland soils of statewide importance, the definition
of "productive agricultural soils" contained herein shall be deemed
to be amended to include such soils.
A right-of-way or service way which provides a secondary
means of public access to the side or rear of abutting properties
and is not intended for general vehicular circulation. Frontage on
such a right-of-way shall not be construed as satisfying the requirements
of Township ordinances relating to frontage on a street.
A landowner, or developer, as hereinafter defined, who has
filed an application for development, including his heirs, successors
and assigns.
Every application, whether sketch, 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.
Plans that are maintained during construction of the project
and which document the actual locations of the site improvements.
As-built plan must be prepared by a professional land surveyor or
professional engineer licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Bucks County Health Department.
Bucks County Planning Commission.
An earth mound which physically blocks views without using
architectural elements.
An area of land divided into lots and bounded by three or
more streets. Block length shall be measured along the center line
of a street between center lines of intersecting streets.
Activities, facilities, measures or procedures used to manage
stormwater impacts from land development, to protect and maintain
water quality and groundwater recharge, and to otherwise meet the
purposes of this chapter, including, but not limited to, infiltration,
filter strips, low-impact design, bioretention, wet ponds, permeable
paving, grassed swales, forested buffers, sand filters, and detention
basins.
A structure having a roof which is used for the shelter or
enclosure of persons, animals, or property. The word "building" shall
include any part thereof.
The hard or paved surface portion of any street, or that
portion of a street customarily used by vehicles in the regular course
of travel over the street.
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.
Any use of land, buildings or structures publicly or privately
owned or operated to serve the community in which it is located including
civic and community centers, historical buildings, fire and police
stations, museums, parks, schools, municipal buildings, libraries
and indoor and outdoor recreational facilities. Such facilities also
include utility uses, buildings or structures, and transportation
uses, including alleys, driveways, streets, parking areas, crosswalks,
curbs, sidewalks, traffic lights, traffic signs, and any other use
of land for the conveyance of pedestrians and/or vehicles.
A condominium is an ownership arrangement. A condominium
is a structure that has all of the following characteristics:
The unit, the interior and associated exterior areas designated
for private use in the development plan, is owned by the occupant
or his lessor.
The unit may be any type of permitted structure.
All or a portion of the exterior open space and any community interior spaces are owned and maintained in accordance with applicable state law regarding condominiums and in accordance with the provisions for open space, roads, or other development features in this chapter and Chapter 450, Zoning.
Bucks County Conservation District.
A legal agreement granted by a property owner that strictly
limits the types and amounts of development that may take place on
such property. Such easement shall restrict the original and all subsequent
property owners, lessees and all other users of the land.
County of Bucks, Pennsylvania.
Planning Commission of the County of Bucks.
A designated area within a cartway for pedestrian travel.
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 under or through an embankment or
fill.
The measure of the number of dwelling units per acre as determined by Chapter 450, Zoning, expressed in dwelling units per acre.
A professional engineer, architect, landscape architect,
or a land surveyor licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
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 (e.g., fifty-year storm) and duration
(e.g., twenty-four-hour), and used in the design and evaluation of
stormwater management systems.
An impoundment designed to manage 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.
The specific tract of land for which a regulated activity
is proposed.
A right granted by a landowner to a grantee, allowing the
use of private land for stormwater management purposes.
Any ditch, gutter, culvert, basin, storm sewer or other structure
designed, intended or constructed for the purpose of conveying, diverting
or controlling surface water or groundwater.
A private vehicular passageway providing access between a
street and a private parking area, private garage, or other structure.
A private vehicular passageway providing access between a
street and private parking area or garage serving two dwellings. Shared
driveways may cross through lots provided access easements are established.
Lot frontage on such easements shall not be construed as meeting requirements
of Township ordinances relating to frontage on a street.
A building used for human habitation.
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 owner of the
property.
A professional engineer licensed as such in the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania.
The process by which the surface of the land, including channels,
is worn away by water, wind, or chemical action.
A site-specific plan, identifying the BMPs to minimize accelerated
erosion and sedimentation, pursuant to 25 Pa. Code Chapter 102.
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.
Surface waters of high quality which satisfy Pennsylvania
Code Title 25, Environmental Protection, Chapter 93, Water Quality
Standards, § 93.4b(b), as amended (relating to antidegradation).
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 installed before the Board of Supervisors
approves a final subdivision or land development plan, including irrevocable
letters of credit, escrow agreements, and other similar collateral
or surety agreements.
A temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of
normally dry land areas from the overflow of streams, rivers, and
other waters of this commonwealth.
[Amended 2-18-2015 by Ord. No. 227[1]]
Any areas of West Rockhill 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 100-year
floodplain (1% 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 100-year floodplain. The floodplain study shall be
subject to the review and approval of the Township. All areas inundated
by the 100-year flood shall be included in the Floodplain Area.
Areas comprised of one or more acres of mature or largely
mature trees in which the largest trees measure at least six inches
dbh (diameter at breast height, or 4 1/2 feet above the ground).
Forest shall be measured from the drip line of the outer trees. Forest
is also 10 or more individual trees which measure at least 10 inches
dbh and form a contiguous canopy.
Board of Supervisors of West Rockhill Township, Bucks County,
Pennsylvania.
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.
Surface waters having quality which exceeds levels necessary
to support propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and recreation
in and on the water by satisfying Pennsylvania Code Title 25, Environmental
Protection, Chapter 93, Water Quality Standards, § 93.4b(a),
as amended. Unami Creek/Ridge Valley Creek/Butter Creek is designated
as a high quality trout-stocked fishery.[2]
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, compacted soils, decks (not designed as a BMP to infiltrate
stormwater), 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.
Includes but are not limited to approved design plans, 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 and plans 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, streetlights and signs, fire hydrants,
water mains, electric service, gas service, sanitary sewers, storm
drains, sidewalks, crosswalks, driveways, culverts, and street shade
trees.
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 proposed initially or cumulatively, or a single nonresidential
building on a lot or lots, regardless of the number of occupants or
tenure; or
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 semidetached dwelling into not more than three residential
units, unless such units are intended to be a condominium;
The addition of a residential accessory building, including
farm building, on a lot or lots subordinate to an existing principal
building; or
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, "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.
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 depth for lane lots shall be measured from the point where the lot first meets minimum lot width to the rear property line.
LOT, LANE (OR FLAG)A lot which meets the criteria for an exception to the minimum lot width requirements under Chapter 450, Zoning.
LOT, INTERIORA lot other than a corner lot.
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, TRIANGULARA lot having three lot lines, but which does not qualify as a corner lot.
LOT, NONCONFORMINGA lot, the area or dimension of which was lawful prior to the adoption or amendment of the relevant zoning ordinance, but which fails to conform to the requirements of the zoning district under Chapter 450, Zoning.
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.
Financial security 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 redivision of a lot, tract or parcel of land
by any means into two lots or fewer.
A transportable, single-family dwelling intended for permanent
occupancy, contained in one or more units, 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 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 erections thereon of a single mobile or manufactured home.
A parcel or contiguous parcels of land which has been so
designated and improved that it contains two or more mobile or manufactured
home lots for the placement thereon of mobile or manufactured homes.
A body politic and corporate created pursuant to the Act
of June 19, 2001, P.L. 287, No. 22, known as the "Municipality Authorities
Act," 53 Pa.C.S.A. § 5601 et seq.
A system of conveyances owned by a state, city, town, or
other public entity that includes catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches,
man-made channels, pipes, tunnels, or storm drains that discharge
into waters of the United States.
Act of Assembly of July 31, 1968, P.L. 805, as amended.[4]
West Rockhill Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
Natural Resource Conservation Service (previously SCS).
Any parcel or area of land or water unimproved and set aside,
dedicated, or reserved for resource protection, public 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 nonrecreational structures, roads, street rights-of-way,
rights-of-way for aboveground electric transmission facilities, parking
lots, land reserved for future parking, any area which is required
by this chapter for minimum lot areas, minimum yards, minimum setbacks,
building separations, or stormwater facilities, or any other land
precluded from being counted as open space in accordance with the
terms of this chapter.
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
A parcel or tract of land that is subject to a recorded conservation
easement, in perpetuity, in a manner acceptable to the Township.
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, streetlights, and all
underground and aboveground utility conduits and poles). An exact
copy of the approved final plan on three-mil Mylar 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, streetlights, and all
underground and aboveground 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.
West Rockhill 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.[5]
The following definitions apply to the recreation facilities required by § 365-51 of this chapter:
TOT LOTA confined, developed, neighborhood play area primarily for use by preschool children under the supervision of parents or guardian.
PLAY FIELDA common area within a subdivision or land development for neighborhood residents to use for informal, active recreation purposes such as ball games and other activities requiring a large lawn area, away from homes or other buildings for their proper conduct.
PLAYGROUNDA confined, developed neighborhood play area with age appropriate equipment for children of school age.
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, appropriate mechanical equipment, enclosed by a fence (minimum six feet in height) and constructed to meet current Township Building Code requirements.
The establishment of forest by planting on lands where existing
forest was removed.
A narrow parcel of ground having inadequate area for building
purposes separating a street or a proposed street from other adjacent
properties.
Any subdivision or transfer of land, laid out on a plan which
has been approved by the Board of Supervisors which changes or proposes
to change property lines and/or public rights-of-way not in strict
accordance with the approved plan.
A basin designed to retain and/or infiltrate stormwater runoff
so that a permanent pool is established.
A strip of land occupied or intended to be occupied by a
street, sidewalk, alley, or other similar use.
A BMP that is an area of permanent vegetation along surface
waters.
Any part of precipitation that flows over the land surface.
Soils or other materials transported by surface water as
a product of erosion.
The process by which mineral or organic matter is accumulated
or deposited by the movement of water.
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 of sewage collection, conveyance, treatment and
disposal that will prevent the discharge of untreated or inadequately
treated sewage or other waste into waters of the commonwealth or otherwise
provide for the safe and sanitary treatment and disposal of sewage
or other waste.
COMMUNITY SEWAGE SYSTEMA sewage facility, whether publicly or privately owned, for the collection of sewage from two or more lots, or two or more equivalent dwelling units (as defined by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection) and the treatment or disposal, or both, of the sewage on one or more of the lots or at another site, and which does not meet the definition of a community on-lot sewage system.
COMMUNITY ON-LOT SEWAGE SYSTEMA system of piping, tanks, or other facilities serving two or more lots and collecting, treating, and disposing of domestic sewage into a soil absorption area or retaining tank located on one or more of the lots.
CENTRAL SEWAGE SERVICEService by a community sewage system or a community on-lot sewage system.
PUBLIC SEWAGE SERVICEService by a community sewage system that is owned or operated by a municipality or municipal authority.
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 waters of the commonwealth or by means of conveyance to another site for final disposal. The term includes:
INDIVIDUAL ON-LOT SEWAGE SYSTEMAn individual sewage system which uses a system of piping, tanks, or other facilities for collecting, treating, and disposing of sewage into a soil absorption area or spray field or by retention in a retaining tank, all facilities located on-lot.
INDIVIDUAL SEWAGE SYSTEMA system that uses a method of sewage collection, conveyance, treatment, and disposal other than renovation in a soil absorption area, or retention in a retaining tank.
ON-LOT SEWAGE SERVICEService of a lot by an individual sewage system. Any percolation tests required for the installation of a private sewer system shall be conducted by the Bucks County Department of Health and pursuant to the regulations of that agency and the requirements of this chapter.
Includes safe sight distance, safe stopping sight distance,
passing sight distance, and decision sight 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 3.5
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 or developed by a land development.
The face of an embankment or cut section; any ground whose
surface makes an angle with the plane of the horizon. Slopes are 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.
Any structure, natural or man-made, that, due to its condition,
design or construction, conveys, stores, or otherwise affects stormwater
runoff. Typical stormwater management facilities include, but are
limited to, detention and retention basins, open channels, storm sewers,
pipes, infiltration structures, and other BMPs.
Rivers, creeks, springs, and other perennial or intermittent
watercourses containing water at least on a seasonal basis during
an average water year. The term "stream" shall include all "intermittent
streams" and "perennial streams."
SPRINGS or SEEPSThe points where groundwater discharges become surface water.
STREAM, EPHEMERALA reach of stream that flows only during and for short periods following precipitation, and flows in low areas that may or may not be a well-defined channel. Ephemeral stream beds are located above the water table year-round. Groundwater is not a source of water for the stream. Some commonly used names for ephemeral streams include "stormwater channel," "drain," "swale," "gully," "dry stream channel," "hollow," or "saddle."
STREAM, INTERMITTENTA reach of stream that flows only during wet periods of the year and flows in a continuous well-defined channel. During dry periods, when the water table is depressed by seasonal activity or drought, intermittent streams may go down to a trickle of water and make it appear dry when in fact there is water flowing through the stream bottom or "substrate."
STREAM, PERENNIAL or WATERCOURSE, PERENNIALA body of water in a channel that flows throughout a majority of the year in a defined channel and is capable, in the absence of pollution, drought, or man-made stream disturbances, of supporting a benthic macroinvertebrate community that is composed of two or more recognizable taxonomic groups of organisms, large enough to be seen by the unaided eye and can be retained by a U.S. Standard No. 30 sieve (28 meshs per inch, 0.595 mm openings) and live at least part of their life cycles within or upon available substrates in a body of water or water transport system. A perennial stream can have Q7-10 flow of zero. For the purposes of this chapter, a perennial stream includes lakes and ponds.
Includes streets, avenues, boulevards, roads, highways, freeways,
parkways, lanes, viaducts, 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 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.
As defined in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code,
Act of July 31, 1968, P.L. 805, No. 247.[6]
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 which gathers or carries 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.
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.
Any water works, water supply works, water distribution system
or part thereof, designed, intended or constructed to provide or distribute
potable water.
A system for supplying and distributing potable water from
a common source to two or more dwellings, lots, and/or principle use
nonresidential buildings, generally serving a single land development,
subdivision, or neighborhood, and generally operated by a governmental
agency, governmental authority, public utility company, developer,
homeowners' association, or other similar legal entity.
A system for supplying and distributing water to a single
dwelling or other building from a source located on the same lot.
An inventory of the source, quantity, yield and use of groundwater
and surface water resources within West Rockhill Township.
Refer to "stream."
Any and all rivers, streams, creeks, rivulets, impoundments,
ditches, watercourses, storm sewers, lakes, dammed water, wetlands,
ponds, springs, and all other bodies or channels of conveyance of
surface and underground water, or parts thereof, whether natural or
artificial, within or on the boundaries of this commonwealth.
Region or area bounded peripherally by water parting and
draining to a particular watercourse or body of water.
Those areas that are 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 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.
The process by which wetland limits are determined. Wetlands
must be delineated by a qualified specialist according to the 1987
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: This ordinance also repealed the original definitions
for “floodplain (general floodplain),” “floodproofing,”
“floodway” and “floodway fringe” which immediately
followed this definition.
[2]
Editor's Note: The original definition of "identified floodplain
area," which immediately followed this definition, was repealed 2-18-2015
by Ord. No. 227.
[3]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 65501 et seq.
[4]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
[5]
Editor's Note: See now 65 Pa.C.S.A. § 701 et seq.
[6]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
[7]
Editor's Note: So in original.
