This chapter shall be known, and may be cited as, the "Dickinson Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance of 2020."
The purpose of this chapter is to regulate and control the subdivision and development of land within Dickinson Township, so as to provide sites suitable for human habitation, commercial and industrial operations, and other uses for which land may be developed, thereby creating conditions favorable to the health, safety and welfare of the community and consistent with the goals of the Comprehensive Plan of Dickinson Township
The Board of Supervisors of Dickinson Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, pursuant to the MPC (as herein defined), hereby enacts and ordains the following chapter governing subdivisions and land developments within the limits of the Township.
A. 
This chapter shall apply to all subdivision and land development plans for tracts of land located, in whole or in part, in Dickinson Township regardless of whether development actually occurs within the Township.
B. 
Where a developer and any subsequent landowner has substantially completed the required improvements in accordance with the approved plan but has failed to complete any aspects of the approved development in accordance with the terms of such approval within five years of such approval or any extension of time as many be granted by the Board of Supervisors, the developer and any subsequent landowner shall be subject to all changes in governing ordinances enacted subsequent to the date of filing the preliminary plan, provided that such governing ordinances do not preclude the developer from building in strict accordance with the approved plan.
C. 
This chapter shall not affect any suit or prosecution pending or to be instituted, to enforce any provision of previous subdivision and land development ordinances, on an act done, contract executed, or liability incurred prior to the effective date of this chapter, nor shall any provisions of this chapter be construed to waive the obligations imposed upon an applicant to complete a previously approved preliminary or final plan, including the installation of all required improvements, in strict compliance with the requirements of the effective Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.
D. 
No street, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, water main, or other facilities in connection therewith, shall be laid out, constructed, opened, or dedicated for public use or travel, or for the common use of occupants of buildings thereon, unless and until authorized by this chapter.
E. 
No lot in a subdivision may be sold, no permit to erect or alter any building upon land in a subdivision or land development may be issued, and no building may be erected or altered in a subdivision or land development, unless and until a final subdivision or land development plan has been approved by the Board of Supervisors and the developer complies with § 178-25D.
F. 
This chapter does not impose any requirements upon subdivision or land development plans for which the Township is the applicant.
All subdivision and land development plans are subject to the prevailing Township Zoning Ordinance,[1] and all other applicable ordinances, regulations and requirements of the Township.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 205, Zoning.
Whenever there exists a conflict between a requirement of this chapter and other applicable ordinances, the more stringent requirement shall apply.
The Board of Supervisors shall be responsible for the administration of this chapter. Unless otherwise provided herein, the Board of Supervisors hereby designates the Planning Commission as the body to provide reviews and make recommendations concerning all applications filed under this chapter. Primary administration and enforcement responsibility under this chapter shall be with an authorized Township official.
A. 
Word usage. Words and phrases shall be presumed to be used in their ordinary context, unless such word or phrase is defined or interpreted differently within this section.
B. 
Language interpretation. In this chapter, when not inconsistent with the context:
(1) 
Words in the present tense imply also the future tense.
(2) 
The singular includes the plural.
(3) 
The male gender includes the female gender.
(4) 
The term "person" includes an individual, partnership, corporation, unincorporated association, estate, or any other legally recognized entity.
(5) 
The terms "shall," "must," or "will" are always mandatory.
C. 
Specific terms. The following words and phrases shall have the particular meanings assigned by this section in the appropriate sections of this chapter.
AASHTO
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
ABUT
To touch or join at the edge or border; to border on; or to end at.
ACCESS DRIVE
An improved cartway designed and constructed to provide for vehicular movement between a public or private road and the off-street parking and/or loading area for any use other than one single-family dwelling unit or farm.
AGENT
Any person other than the developer, who, acting for the developer, submits subdivision and/or land development plans to the Township for the purpose of obtaining approval thereof and authorized to make representations.
ALLEY
A minor right-of-way, privately or publicly owned, primarily for service access to the rear or sides of properties.
APPLICANT
A landowner or developer, as hereinafter defined, who has filed an application for development, including his heirs, successors, and assigns.
APPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT
Every application required to be filed and approved prior to start of construction or development, including, but not limited to, an application for zoning approval, for the approval of a subdivision plat or plan, or for the approval of a land development plan.
AUTHORITY
Dickinson Township Municipal Authority.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
The governing body of Dickinson Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
CARTWAY
The paved surface of a street or access drive intended and available for use by vehicular traffic.
CHANNEL OF CONVEYANCE OF SURFACE WATER
Any naturally occurring channel, ditch, ravine or bed, having defined banks and a bed over which surface water naturally flows for at least 50% of the year, either historically or due to changes in surface conditions in the area. Common examples are streams, creeks, and rivers. The term shall not include man-made conveyances of surface water, such as channels for stormwater drainage, swales for stormwater, or stormwater management facilities.
CLEAR SIGHT TRIANGLE
An area of unobstructed vision at a street intersection defined by a line of sight between points at center lines.
COMMON AMENITIES
Certain additions, alterations or modifications constructed or made to, upon or in connection with realty as required by an approved subdivision plan or approved land development plan and which are not intended to be offered to the Township for dedication. (Also see definitions for "improvements" and "required improvements.")
COMMON OPEN SPACE
A parcel or parcels 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.
COMMUNITY SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM
A system of conveyance, treatment and discharge that provides for the safe and healthful disposal of sewage generated by multiple principal uses that is not proposed to be owned and/or operated by Dickinson Township or it's Authority. All community sewage disposal systems shall be approved and permitted by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and be in accordance with the Township Act 537 Plan (Official Sewage Plan).
COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEM
A system of source, treatment, storage and/or distribution of domestic water supply to multiple principal uses that is not owned and/or operated by Dickinson Township or it's Authority, including their successors.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The latest adopted version of the Dickinson Township Comprehensive Plan, including any freestanding supplemental documents, as may be amended.
CONDITIONAL USE
A use permitted in a particular zone pursuant to the provisions in Article VI of the MPC[1] and in accordance with § 205-162 of the Zoning Ordinance.
CONDOMINIUM
Real estate, portions of which, in accordance with the provisions of the Pennsylvania Uniform Condominium Act of 1980,[2] are designated for separate ownership and the remainder of which is designed for common ownership solely by the owners of those portions. Real estate is not a condominium unless the undivided interests in the common elements are vested in the unit owners.
CONSULTANT
All professional consultants, other experts, attorneys and independent contractors retained by the Township to provide professional or expert advice or services to the Township in connection with the review and comment on the developer's plan or the construction, observation, inspection, review and/or approval of the public improvements and common amenities contemplated by the developer's plan.
CONVEYANCE OF SURFACE WATER, CHANNEL
See definition for "channel of conveyance of surface water."
COUNTY
The County of Cumberland, Pennsylvania.
COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
The Cumberland County Planning Commission.
CURB
The raised edge of a pavement to confine surface water to the pavement and to protect the abutting land from vehicular traffic.
CURBLINE
The outside edge of the cartway.
DEDICATION
The deliberate assignment of land or interest in land by its owner to another party.
DEED
A written instrument whereby an estate in real property is conveyed.
DENSITY
A term used to express the allowable number of dwelling units per acre of land, exclusive of unimproved public rights-of-way, and rights-of-way of public and private streets.
DETENTION BASIN
A structure designed to retard stormwater runoff by temporarily storing and releasing at a predetermined rate.
DEVELOPER
Any landowner, agent of such landowner, equitable owner, tenant with the legal standing of the landowner, or applicant for whom subdivision or land development plans are being or have been made.
DRIVEWAY
Cartway designed and constructed solely to accommodate vehicular movement between a public and/or private road and a tract of land serving one single-family dwelling unit or a farm.
DWELLING
Any building or portion thereof designed and used exclusively for residential occupancy, including those listed below, but not including hospitals and nursing homes, hotels and motels, boarding-, rooming and lodging houses, institutional houses, tourists courts, and the like, which offer overnight accommodations for guests or patients. All dwellings are permanently affixed to a completely enclosed foundation constructed of currently accepted materials that are an entire perimeter wall and extend from below the frost line to the first floor of the building. Such foundation is constructed to provide sufficient structural integrity to prevent the building from heaving, shifting, or settling unevenly, due to frost action. In addition, all dwellings are properly connected to approved and permanently designed sewer, water, electrical, and other utility systems.
(1) 
SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHEDA freestanding building containing one dwelling unit for one family. Mobile and modular homes can be considered single-family detached dwellings if, in addition to the requirements listed for all dwellings, the mobile and/or modular home is securely anchored to the permanent foundation, and all of the apparatuses used to transport the unit shall be removed, including the towing hitch. Recreational vehicles shall not be construed as dwellings. Mobile and modular homes shall be considered single-family detached dwellings so long as they are designed and constructed in accordance with the Uniform Construction Code.
(2) 
DUPLEXA freestanding building containing two dwelling units for two families, arranged in a side-by-side configuration.
(3) 
MULTIPLE FAMILYA building containing three or more dwelling units, at least one of which must be located above or below the remaining units.
(4) 
TOWNHOUSEA building containing between three and eight dwelling units arranged in a side-by-side configuration with two or more common walls.
(5) 
TWO-FAMILYA freestanding building containing two dwelling units, arranged in an over-and-under configuration.
DWELLING UNIT
A building or portion thereof arranged or designed for occupancy by not more than one family and having separate cooking and sanitary facilities.
EASEMENT
An interest in land owned by another person, consisting in the right to use or control the use of land, or areas above or below it, for a specific limited purpose. The grant of an easement reserves to the owner of the land all other incidents of ownership.
ELEVATION
The level of the ground adjacent to a structure, storage area, sign or other improvement.
ENGINEER
A professional engineer registered as such in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
EROSION
The natural process by which the surface of land is worn away by water, wind, or chemical action.
EXCAVATION
Any activity by which earth, sand, gravel, rock, or any other similar material is dug into, cut, quarried, uncovered, removed, displaced, relocated, or bulldozed and the resulting conditions.
FARM
A parcel of land that is used for one or more agricultural operations, including but not necessarily limited to the raising of agricultural products, livestock, poultry, or the production of dairy products. A farm shall be understood to include a dwelling unit as well as all structures necessary for the housing of animals, storage of feed and equipment, and other operations customarily incidental to farm use. See also "Agriculture" under § 205-12 of the Zoning Ordinance.
FLOODPLAIN
An area of land adjacent to the channel of a watercourse below the flood elevation which has been or is likely to be flooded, or any area subject to the unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source as regulated by Article III, Chapter 92, of the Code of Dickinson Township.
FRONTAGE
The line of a lot coincident with an abutting right-of-way line of a street.
GRADE
A measurement of slope expressed in terms of percentage of vertical versus horizontal distance.
GREEN ROOFTOP
An assemblage of man-made and natural materials that supports vegetation as the principal exposed surface atop a building and is designed and maintained to offer thermal protection and hydrological benefit over conventional roofing surfaces.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE (IMPERVIOUS AREA)
A surface not readily penetrated by water under normal pressure associated with rainfall or other typical conditions associated with the proposed use. Impervious surfaces (or areas) shall include, but not be limited to, buildings, roofs (except for green roofs, as defined herein), patios, garages, storage shed and similar structures, access drives, interior drives, driveways, sidewalks, off-street parking spaces, off-street loading spaces and paved recreation courts. Any areas designed to be covered by loose surfacing materials, such as gravel, stone and/or crushed stone, and intended for storage of and/or travel by motorized or non-motorized vehicles, or travel by pedestrians shall be considered impervious.
IMPROVEMENTS
Any structure or paving placed upon land, including the provision of underground or aboveground utilities, as well as any physical change to the surface of the land, including but not necessarily limited to grading, paving, the placement of stormwater management facilities, sidewalks, street signs, traffic control devices, and monuments. This definition shall expressly exclude the tilling of soil.
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; or
(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.
(3) 
In accordance with Section 503(1.1) of the MPC,[3] the following activities are excluded from the definition of land development:
(a) 
The conversion of an existing single-family detached dwelling, two-family dwelling or single-family semidetached dwelling into not more than three residential units, unless such units are intended to be a condominium;
(b) 
The addition of an accessory building, including farm buildings, on a lot or lots subordinate to an existing principal building; provided, however, that the addition of a nonresidential or nonfarm accessory building or buildings does not:
[1] 
Exceed a total square footage of 2,000 square feet or 10% of the principal nonresidential or nonfarm building's square footage (as existed as of any addition of an accessory building or buildings made following the effective date of this chapter).
[2] 
Create negative stormwater impacts on existing stormwater facilities or on neighboring properties.
[3] 
Require the construction of additional access drive(s).
[4] 
Relieve the need for DEP sewer planning module or exemption.
(c) 
The addition or conversion of buildings, structures or rides within an amusement, theme and/or zoo park.
LAND SURVEYOR
A land surveyor registered in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
LANDOWNER
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 is authorized under the lease to exercise the rights of the landowner, or other person who has a proprietary interest in land.
LOT
A designated parcel, tract or area of land established by a plat or otherwise as permitted by law and to be used, developed, or built upon as a unit.
LOT COVERAGE
A percentage of the lot area which may be covered with an impervious surface (e.g., buildings, driveways, parking area, sidewalks). To the extent a building or structure incorporates a green rooftop (as defined in the Dickinson Township Zoning Ordinance),[4] such area shall not be considered to be impervious.
LOT LINE
A recorded boundary line of a lot; however, any line that denotes an adjoining public or private street or railroad right-of-way shall be interpreted as the lot line for the purposes of determining the location of the setbacks required by the Zoning Ordinance.[5]
MINIMUM LOT AREA
The least amount of land area required to be to be associated with a principal use as specified within the Zoning Ordinance.[6]
MOBILE HOME
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.
MOBILE HOME LOT
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 home.
MOBILE HOME PARK
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.
MPC
Refers to the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247 of 1968, as reenacted and amended.[7]
MUNICIPALITY
The Township of Dickinson, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
NET LOT AREA
The total surface area contained within the property lines of a lot, exclusive of public rights-of-way, public and private streets and the following features:
(1) 
Street rights-of-way;
(2) 
Ultimate rights-of-way;
(3) 
Access easements serving another principal use;
(4) 
Sanitary sewer and water easements serving another principal use;
(5) 
Gas pipeline easements and/or rights-of-way;
(6) 
Land within easements and/or rights-of-way for overhead electric transmission lines 66 KV and greater;
(7) 
Stormwater management facilities, pipes and/or swales intended to serve another principal use;
(8) 
Riparian buffers as regulated in § 178-49 of this chapter;
(9) 
Permanent and open bodies of water;
(10) 
The floodplain zone as delineated under the terms of § 178-47 of this chapter;
(11) 
Wetlands as regulated as delineated under the terms of § 178-48 of this chapter; and/or
(12) 
Slopes of 25% or greater.
ON-LOT SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS, (ON-LOT SEWER SERVICE)
A system of conveyance, treatment, and discharge that provides for the safe and healthful disposal of sewage generated by one principal use within the confines of the lot on which the use is located, as approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. This definition shall not prohibit the use of sewage plume easements that may extend beyond the property upon which the sewage is generated.
ON-LOT WATER SERVICE
The provision of water to a single user from a private source located on the user's lot.
OPEN SPACE
Any area of land or water, or a combination of land and water, within a development site that is free of improvement and impervious surfaces. Open spaces shall not include, among other things, areas devoted to buildings, structures, driveways, access drives, parking lots, street rights-of-way, and/or stormwater detention basins, but can include required setbacks and private yards.
PA
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
PADCNR
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
PADEP
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
PAVED
A condition of surface in which man-made materials are applied resulting in a durable, smooth, stable and dust-free surface over which vehicles and pedestrians may pass. This definition shall expressly include asphalt, bituminous, concrete, masonry, permeable, geogrids and other similar materials, provided they are applied with sufficient depth and base to achieve the required durable, smooth, stable and dust-free surface.
PEDESTRIAN EASEMENT
A right-of-way, municipally owned or privately owned, which cuts across a block to furnish access for pedestrians to adjacent streets or properties.
PENNDOT
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
PERSON
An individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability corporation, limited liability partnership, firm, company, association, governmental entity, trustee, receiver, assignee, or similar representative.
PERVIOUS SURFACE
A surface readily penetrated by water under normal pressure associated with rainfall or other typical conditions associated with the proposed use. These typically include but are not limited to yards, gardens, landscape features, fields, woodlands and other similar unimproved open spaces. These can also include special paving treatments that allow the ready penetration of surface water into the ground under normal pressure.
PLAN
The map representing a tract of land, including all supplementary data specified in this chapter. The following are the types of plans specified by this chapter:
(1) 
AS-BUILTA plan showing actual dimensions and actual locations of all streets and other public improvements as actually constructed.
(2) 
TEMPORARY FAMILY HOUSING PLANA plan specifically for a limited type of housing as defined and regulated in the Township Zoning Ordinance.[8]
(3) 
FINAL PLANA subdivision and/or land development plan prepared for official recording as required by statute to define property rights, proposed streets and other public improvements.
(4) 
LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT PLANA plan for the sole purpose of adding a parcel of land to an adjacent parcel and no additional lot is being created.
(5) 
PRELIMINARY/FINAL PLANA plan that represents the simultaneous submission of a preliminary plan and final plan.
(6) 
PRELIMINARY PLANA complete and exact subdivision and/or land development plan, the purpose of which is to authorize the preparation of final plans.
(7) 
SKETCH PLANAn informal plan, not necessarily to exact scale, indicating salient existing features of a tract and its surroundings, with the general layout of a proposal for consideration prior to the formal submission of a plan.
PLANNING COMMISSION
The Planning Commission of Dickinson Township.
PUBLIC SEWER
A municipal or privately owned sanitary sewer facility approved and permitted by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Such systems are capable of serving multiple users.
PUBLIC UTILITIES
Use or extension thereof which is privately owned and operated and requires a certificate of convenience approved by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission for the purpose of providing public sewage disposal and/or sewage treatment; public water supply, storage and/or treatment; or for the purpose of providing the transmission of energy or telephone service. For purposes of this definition, no use regarding or related to communications antennas, communications equipment facilities, and communications towers shall be considered, or in any way constitute, a public utility.
PUBLIC WATER
A municipal or privately owned water supply system approved and permitted by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Such systems are capable of serving multiple users.
REQUIRED IMPROVEMENTS
All additions, alterations or modifications constructed, or made to, upon or in connection with an approved land development plan or approved subdivision plan and which are the subject of financial security. Required improvements may include improvements and common amenities as those terms are defined herein. The scope of required improvements shall be based upon the approved land development or subdivision plan and may relate to or include, but shall not be limited to, traffic controls, streets, stormwater management, sanitary sewers, water lines, recreational facilities, street trees, parking lots, access roads, buffer plantings, screening, lighting, soil/erosion/sedimentation controls, and, with respect to all of the foregoing, all appurtenances related thereto.
REVIEW FEES
All professional consultant or expert fees paid or incurred by the Township in the course of preliminary or final plan review and comment or (including all review and comment leading to final plan recording) paid or incurred by the Township and arising out of or relating to the construction, observation, inspection, review, and/or approval of the public improvements or the common amenities contemplated by the developer's plan.
RIGHT-OF-WAY
A defined portion of land acquired by reservation, dedication, forced dedication, prescription or condemnation that may or may not be secured for public use and which may, but need not, be improved with streets, utilities, stormwater management facilities, traffic control facilities, curbs, sidewalks, bicycle lanes or paths, streetlights, and similar improvements for public benefit or enjoyment.
ROAD, ROADWAY
See the definition of "street."
SETBACK
The required horizontal distance between a setback line and a property or street line.
SETBACK LINE
A line within a property and parallel to a property or street line which delineates the required minimum distance between some particular use of property and that property or street line.
SITE
A lot or portion thereof devoted to a particular use as regulated by this chapter.
SPECIAL EXCEPTION
A use permitted in a particular zone pursuant to the provisions of Articles VI and IX of the MPC[9] and approved by the Zoning Hearing Board in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance.[10]
STANDARD CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS DOCUMENTS
A document containing construction and material specifications as may be adopted and amended through a resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
STEEP SLOPES
Existing natural slopes of 15% or greater (equal to 15 feet vertical distance over 100 feet horizontal distance). The alteration of slopes that were lawfully man-made (such as walls of a detention basin or quarry or excavated banks along a street) shall be regulated by a reasonable estimate of the preexisting natural slope.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
A program of controls and measures designed to regulate the quality and quantity of stormwater runoff from a development, while promoting the protection and conservation of groundwater and groundwater recharge.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT FACILITIES
Any structure, natural or man-made, that, due to its condition, design or construction, conveys, stores, or otherwise affects stormwater runoff. Typical stormwater facilities include, but are not limited to, detention and retention basins, open channels, storm sewers, pipes, and infiltration structures.
STREAM
Any natural or man-made channel of conveyance of surface water with an annual or intermittent flow within a defined bed and bank.
STREET
A public or private right-of-way, excluding driveways and access drives, intended for use as a means of vehicular and pedestrian circulation that provides a means of access to abutting property. The word "street" includes "thoroughfare," "avenue," "boulevard," "court," "drive," "expressway," "highway," "lane," "road," and similar terms. This definition shall not include alleys as defined herein.
STREET CENTER LINE
A line laterally bisecting a street right-of-way into equal widths. Where the street right-of-way cannot be determined, the cartway center line shall be deemed the street center line.
STREET FURNITURE
Fixtures installed along the roadway, at or above grade level, including but not limited to, lamp posts, pedestrian lighting, fire hydrants, street signs, benches, trash cans, bike racks, newspaper boxes, water fountains, and planters.
STREET LINE or RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE
The line defining the limit of a street right-of-way and separating the street from abutting property or lots. The street line shall be the same as the right-of-way line currently in existence.
STREETSCAPE
The publicly accessible area straddling public and/or private streets often located between building facades and including service lanes, sidewalks, pedestrian oriented spaces and pedestrian corridors.
STRUCTURE
Any man-made object, including buildings, having an ascertainable stationary location on or in land or water, whether or not affixed to the land, excluding stormwater management retention/detention basins and related inlet and/or outlet devices, sidewalks, driveways leading directly to a public street, and public utility lines and appurtenances. "Structures" shall not include such things as sandboxes, decorative fountains, swing sets, birdhouses, bird feeders, mailboxes, and any other similar nonpermanent improvements.
SUBDIVISION
The division or redivision 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. 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.
SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION
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 Section 509 of the MPC)[11] 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.
SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT
Any repair, reconstruction, or improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the fair market value of the structure either a) before the improvement or repair is started or b) if the structure has been damaged, and is being restored, before the damage occurred. For the purpose of this definition, substantial improvement is considered to occur when the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of the structure commences, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the structure.
SURFACE WATER, CHANNEL OF CONVEYANCE
See definition for "channel of conveyance of surface water."
SWALE
A low-lying stretch of land which gathers and/or carries surface water runoff.
TEMPORARY FAMILY HOUSING
A temporary dwelling unit placed on a property with another single-family detached dwelling for occupancy by either an elderly, handicapped, or disabled person(s), or any child, parent or other relative, any of which is related by blood, marriage, or adoption to the occupants of the principal dwelling or their caregiving family members.
TOWNSHIP
Dickinson Township.
TOWNSHIP ENGINEER
A professional engineer licensed as such in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, duly appointed as the Engineer for Dickinson Township.
TOWNSHIP SOLICITOR
The attorney firm appointed by the Board of Supervisors or duly authorized by the Board of Supervisors.
TRAFFIC CALMING DEVICES
All measures, systems and programs described in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Highway Safety and Traffic Engineering, Publication 383, dated January 2001, and known as "Pennsylvania's Traffic Calming Handbook," and all revisions and updates thereto and any successor publications thereto, hereinafter referred to as "Pub. 383."
UNIT OF OCCUPANCY
A unit the use of which is not subordinate or customarily incidental to a principal unit. A unit of occupancy can be an independent unit within a building or a separate, detached building.
VARIANCE
Relief granted pursuant to the provisions of Articles VI and IX of the MPC[12] upon application to the Zoning Hearing Board in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance.[13]
WAIVER
A process for alleviating specific requirements imposed by this chapter, pursuant to the MPC.
WATERCOURSE
A permanent or intermittent stream, river, brook, run, creek, channel, swale, pond, lake or other body of surface water carrying or holding surface water, whether natural or artificial.
WATERSHED
All the land from which water drains into a particular watercourse.
WETLANDS
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, and which shall be identified using that method of the following that delineates the greatest area of wetlands:
(1) 
The United States Army Corps of Engineers Technical Report Y87-1, Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual;
(2) 
The United States Environmental Protection Agency Wetlands Identification Delineation Manual, Volume I, Rational, Wetland Parameters, and Overview of Jurisdictional Approach, Volume II, Field Methodology, as most recently updated or modified; or,
(3) 
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Resources Wetlands Identification and Delineation, Chapter 105, Dam Safety and Waterways Management Rules and Regulations, as most recently updated or modified.
YARD
An area between the permitted structures and the property lines, as further provided in the Zoning Ordinance.[14]
ZONING OFFICER
The duly constituted municipal official(s) designated to administer and enforce this chapter in accordance with its literal terms.
ZONING ORDINANCE
The Official Zoning Ordinance of Dickinson Township.[15]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10601 et seq.
[2]
Editor's Note: See 68 Pa.C.S.A. § 3101 et seq.
[3]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10503(1.1).
[4]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 205, Zoning.
[5]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 205, Zoning.
[6]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 205, Zoning.
[7]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
[8]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 205, Zoning.
[9]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. §§ 10601 et seq. and 10901 et seq., respectively.
[10]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 205, Zoning.
[11]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10509.
[12]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. §§ 10601 et seq. and 10901 et seq., respectively.
[13]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 205, Zoning.
[14]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 205, Zoning.
[15]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 205, Zoning.