The following words, terms and phrases, when used in these subdivision regulations, shall have the meanings ascribed to them below, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Abandonment.
Relinquish the public interest, claim, or title to a public right-of-way, easement, public way, or other public property.
Access.
Ingress and egress between the site and a paved public street, private street, or approved access easement.
Addition.
One or more lots, tracts or parcels of land created for the purpose of development. Refer also to “Subdivision” and “Plat.”
Adequacy.
It is the policy of the city that every development and subdivision shall be served by the applicable and appropriate public facilities (e.g., water, sanitary sewer, roads, access, drainage facilities, parks, and public safety), as determined by the city manager or designee (city engineer).
Administrative officers.
Any office referred to in these subdivision regulations shall be the person so retained in this position by the city, or his duly authorized representative. This definition shall also include engineering, planning and other consultants retained by the city to supplement or support existing city staff, as deemed appropriate.
(1) 
Building official.
The officer or designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of the building codes.
(2) 
City attorney.
The attorney, or firm of attorneys, that has been specifically employed by the city to assist in legal matters. This term shall also apply if the city retains a person to perform the functions of city attorney as an official city employee.
(3) 
City engineer.
The registered professional engineer or firm of registered professional consulting engineers that has been specifically employed by the city to perform engineering review, design and related activities. The city engineer is also the designated floodplain administrator.
(4) 
City manager.
The person or authorized representative/designee holding the position of the chief executive officer, as appointed by the city council, under the terms of the city charter.
(5) 
Planning and zoning administrator.
The professional land planner, or firm of professional land planners, that has been specifically employed by the city to assist in planning- and zoning-related matters. This term shall also apply if the city retains a person to perform the functions of city planner as an official city employee.
(6) 
City secretary.
The person or authorized representative holding the office of city secretary under the terms of the city charter.
(7) 
Director of building development.
The person designated by the city manager to oversee the subdivision review process, gather all staff comments and recommendations, and convey said recommendations to the commission, council and other departments.
(8) 
Director of public works.
The person designated by the city manager to oversee compliance with the city master thoroughfare plan and designate an individual to be part of the DRC; may also be city engineer.
Agent.
Any authorized person acting on behalf of the property owner during the land development process.
Agreement.
Written contractual agreement between the city, the applicant or developer, and/or other public or private agencies including the following:
(1) 
Cross access easement agreement.
A reciprocal contract entered into by adjacent property owners and/or the city and to be recorded in the county real property records, by which the property owners agree to shared access and maintenance of drive approaches and/or parking areas.
(2) 
Developer agreement.
A contract entered into by the applicant and the city, by which, among other things, the applicant promises to complete the required public improvements within the subdivision or addition within a specified time period following final plat approval.
Appeal.
Review of a decision or act by a higher approving authority or court of law.
Applicant.
A person or entity that submits a formal application for an approval required by this chapter. Also, referred to as “developer,” “subdivider,” or other similar term.
Application.
A written request for an approval required by this chapter.
Approving authority.
The governing body, appointed commissions, committees and boards; administrative officers; and/or designees granted with the power to make land development and subdivision decisions in accordance with the city charter, city ordinances and regulations, and state law.
Block.
One or more lots, tracts or parcels of land bounded by streets, railroads, or subdivision boundary lines, or a combination thereof. Further, it is an area of land enclosed by streets and occupied by or intended for building.
(1) 
Block length.
The length of a block shall be considered to be the distance from property corner to property corner measured along the property line of the block face:
(A) 
The block face with the greatest dimension; or
(B) 
The block face with the greatest number of lots.
(2) 
Block width.
The width of a block shall be considered to be the distance from property corner to property corner measured along the property line of the block face between intersecting streets, and shall be the side with one of the following criteria:
(A) 
The block face with the least dimension; or
(B) 
The block face with the fewest number of lots.
City.
The City of Lake Worth, Texas.
City council.
The duly elected governing and legislative body of the City of Lake Worth, Texas. See also “Governing body” [sic].
City standards.
See “Design criteria and construction standards.”
Commencement of construction.
After receipt of the appropriate approvals and permits, it is the initial disturbance of soils associated with land development including but not limited to clearing, grading, excavating activities, or other construction activities.
Commission.
See also [sic], “Planning and zoning commission.”
Comprehensive plan.
The general plan of the city, as recommended by the planning and zoning commission and adopted by the city council, including all its revisions and plan elements (including, but not limited to, the future land use plan, thoroughfare plan, parks and open space plan, etc.). This plan indicates the general locations recommended for various land uses, transportation routes, public and private buildings, streets, parks, water and wastewater facilities, and other public and private developments and improvements. The following plans or documents are associated with or incorporated into the comprehensive plan.
(1) 
Future land use plan.
The element of the comprehensive plan that sets the direction of land use public policy in Lake Worth and intended to depict the future land use pattern.
(2) 
Parks master plan.
An element of the comprehensive plan which supports the stated community vision and depicts the existing parks, recreation areas, and open space within the municipality and guides the dedication and/or development of future public parks, recreational facilities and open space.
(3) 
Master thoroughfare plan.
An element of the comprehensive plan which is coordinated with the future land use plan to guide the provision of the transportation network to facilitate development and redevelopment objectives. Streets are typically classified as follows:
(A) 
Freeways.
A highway intended to move large volumes of traffic around and across the city without direct access to adjacent land.
(B) 
Arterial.
A street that interconnects and augments the principal arterial system with more land access at a lower level of traffic mobility.
(C) 
Collector street.
Also, known as feeder streets or secondary thoroughfares, which provide vehicular circulation within neighborhoods, and from local streets to major thoroughfares. May be continuous through several neighborhoods. Collects and distributes traffic from local access streets, as in residential neighborhoods or commercial developments, to the major arterial network.
(D) 
Local or residential street.
Local residential streets, also known as minor thoroughfares or streets, which primarily provide direct vehicular access to abutting residential property. Internal streets within a neighborhood that provide access to residential lots and building sites and should be arranged to discourage most through traffic, except that which is directly related to the area.
Construction documents or plans.
Refer to “Plan, Engineered plans or documents.”
Dedication.
The deliberate appropriation of land by an owner for any general and public use. The transfer of title to, and responsibility for, public improvements to the local government from the owner of a development subject to an improvements and exactions ordinance.
Deed restriction (restrictive covenant).
Written agreement which restricts or limits the use or activities that may take place on a property within a subdivision.
Design criteria and construction standards.
The standards and specifications for the construction of subdivision improvements. A copy is maintained and available for inspection at the city hall, and which is incorporated herein by reference.
Development.
Refer to “Land development.”
Development review committee (DRC).
The review body comprised of representatives from city departments tasked with the oversight of subdivision and land development. The DRC shall be responsible for reviewing any development proposals, vacation, plans, plats, preliminary engineering design plans and any other items deemed necessary which are associated with development.
Dwelling unit.
Also refer to the zoning ordinance. Any building or portion thereof, which is designed or used as living quarters for one or more families. The area of a structure set aside for single-family living; a single-family residence is one dwelling unit; a duplex is two (2) dwelling units; and each apartment is a separate dwelling unit within an apartment home complex.
Engineer.
Refer to “Professional engineer.”
Escrow.
A conveyance or monetary deposit to the city to be retained until the occurrence of a contingency or performance of a condition, such as construction of public improvements in accordance to the approved engineering documents.
Filing date.
The date that the appropriate administrative officer determines that the application satisfies all requirements of these subdivision regulations and all other applicable ordinances, except for requested variances, and all applicable fees have been paid.
Floodplain management.
A decision-making process that aims to reduce flood losses and protection of the natural resources and function within the floodplains. Administered by the city engineer in accordance with article 3.09, Flood Damage Prevention, of the city Code of Ordinances.
Guarantee.
A pledge, guarantee, or confidence in the form of an executed document provided by a surety company or a guarantor to pay one party (the obligee) a certain amount if a second party (the principal) fails to meet the terms of the agreement and/or satisfactorily complete the project. Types of financial guarantee provided for land development are as follows:
(1) 
Bond.
A type of surety used by investors in construction projects to protect against an adverse event that causes disruptions, failure to complete the project due to insolvency of the builder(s), or the failure to meet contract specifications. Any form of a surety bond in an amount and form satisfactory to the city.
(2) 
Escrow.
A deposit of cash with the city in accordance with city policies.
(3) 
Letter of credit.
An irrevocable letter of credit on a form acceptable to the city and approved by the city attorney.
Improvements or facilities.
(1) 
Off-site improvements or facilities.
Existing or proposed facilities or improvements required for service to the site but not located within the boundaries of the plat.
(2) 
On-site improvements or facilities.
Existing or proposed facilities or improvements constructed within the property boundaries of the plat. These include streets, water lines, sewer lines, storm drainage, curb and gutter, and any other construction or reconstruction to serve the property.
(3) 
Public improvements or facilities.
Existing or proposed facilities constructed to city standards, dedicated for public use, and maintained by the city.
Land development.
Any new construction, including any building, structure or improvement of any nature (residential or nonresidential), or the enlargement of any external dimension of any building, structure, or improvement. Any mining, excavation, landfill or land disturbance is also considered land development.
Land use.
The purpose or activity, for which a parcel of land, a building or structure is designed, arranged or intended, or for which it is occupied or maintained. Refer to the zoning regulations.
Lot or lot of record.
A divided or undivided tract or parcel of land having frontage on a public street and which is or in the future may be offered for sale, conveyance, transfer or improvement; which is designated as a distinct and separate tract; and which is identified by a tract or lot number or symbol in a duly approved subdivision plat which has been properly filed of record.
Person.
Any individual, association, firm, corporation, governmental agency, political subdivision, partnership, corporation, or other legal entity authorized by law, its or their successors or assigns, or the agent of any of the aforesaid.
Phased development.
Development that will occur in phases over time.
Plan.
The following are documents often referenced when developing property within the city:
(1) 
Concept plan.
A sketch drawing of initial development ideas superimposed on a topographic and/or aerial map to indicate the general plan of development.
(2) 
Construction plans or documents.
Refer to “Engineered plans or documents” (below).
(3) 
Drainage plan.
A general plan for handling the stormwater affecting property proposed for development. Refer to the design criteria and construction standards for requirements of the drainage plan, as applicable.
(4) 
Engineered plans or documents.
The maps or drawings accompanying a plat and showing the specific location and design of public improvements to be installed in the subdivision in accordance with the requirements of the city as a condition of approval of the plat. These drawings are signed and sealed by a professional engineer.
Planning and zoning commission.
The planning and zoning commission of the City of Lake Worth, Texas.
Plat.
A plan, map or chart of a quantity of land with actual or proposed features (as lots); the land represented; also, to make a plat. The following are types of plats associated with the legal creation of a subdivision of land and/or development on property within the city limits as established and provided for in this chapter:
(1) 
Amending plat.
Generally, any plat created for at least one of the purposes listed in this chapter and, specifically, as described in Texas Local Government Code section 212.016.
(2) 
Final plat (a/k/a file or record plat).
A subdivision plat that is presented to the proper review authority for approval and intended to be recorded with the county clerk after proper certification. Note: minor plats, short form, amending plats and replats are also final plats.
(3) 
Preliminary plat.
An initial plat of the proposed plan for subdividing, improving, and developing a tract, including supporting data such as topographic features, existing and proposed drainage features and facilities, street layout and direction of curb flow, water and wastewater utility layout, and other pertinent features with notations sufficient to substantially identify the general scope and detail of the proposed development. The plat of any lot or lots of record that is not to be recorded of record but is only a proposed division of land for review and study by the city.
(4) 
Replat.
A plat (replat) of all or part of an existing subdivision, that may be recorded and is controlling over the preceding plat without vacating that plat in accordance with this chapter and Texas Local Government Code section 212.014.
(5) 
Recorded plat.
Any plat that has been duly recorded in the plat records of Tarrant County.
(6) 
Subdivision plat.
A plat that divides a tract in two (2) or more parts to:
(A) 
Lay out a subdivision of the tract, including an addition to a municipality;
(B) 
Lay out suburban, building, or other lots; or
(C) 
Lay out streets, alleys, squares, parks, or other parts of the tract intended to be dedicated to public use or for the use of purchasers or owners of lots fronting on or adjacent to the streets, alleys, squares, parks, or other parts.
A division of a tract includes a division regardless of whether it is made by using metes and bounds description in a deed of conveyance or in a contract for a deed, by using a contract of sale or other executory contract to convey, or by using any other method.
(7) 
Vacating plat.
An instrument (approved and recorded in the same manner as the original plat) that references a plat, or any part of a plat, that once executed and recorded causes the referenced plat to have no effect.
Platting.
Below are definitions pertaining to the process of platting property:
(1) 
Minor platting.
A subdivision of land involving four (4) or fewer lots fronting on an existing street which does not require the creation of any new street(s) or the extension of municipal facilities; amending plats; and certain replats described in Texas Local Government Code section 212.0065. The process includes final short form plat.
(2) 
Plat approval.
Granted by the appropriate governing body or administrative officers when the plat document is prepared in accordance to city standards.
(3) 
Plat certification.
Executed statement(s) on the face of the plat provides evidence that the document is prepared, reviewed and approved according to city standards and state law.
(4) 
Plat filing.
The term used when an approved and certified plat is recorded with the county clerk.
Power of attorney.
A document used to appoint an agent to represent or make decisions on behalf of another person or organization.
Pre-application conference.
The meeting with city staff required prior to filing any formal plat applications.
Professional engineer.
A person who has been duly authorized and licensed under the provisions of the Texas Engineering Practice Act and/or by the state board of professional engineers to engage in the practice of engineering in the State of Texas. Also known as “engineer,” “registered engineer,” “registered professional engineer,” or “licensed engineer.”
Professional land planner.
A person, other than a surveyor or engineer, who also possesses and can demonstrate a valid proficiency in the planning of residential, commercial, industrial and other related developments; such a proficiency often having been acquired by education in the field of landscape architecture or other specialized planning curriculum and/or by actual experience and practice in the field of land planning, and may be certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).
Professional land surveyor.
A registered professional land surveyor, as authorized by the state statutes to practice the profession of surveying.
Property owner.
Also, known as “applicant” or “subdivider” or “developer.” Any person or firm, association, syndicate, general or limited partnership, corporation, trust or other legal entity, or any agent thereof, that has sufficient proprietary interest in the land sought to be subdivided to commence and maintain proceedings to subdivide the same under this chapter. In any event, the term “property owner” shall be restricted to include only the owner(s) or authorized agent(s) of such owner(s), such as a developer, of land sought to be subdivided.
Public facilities system.
The operation and maintenance of water, wastewater, roadway, drainage or park facilities owned or operated by or in behalf of the city for the purposes of providing services to the public, including existing and new developments.
Public improvements.
Facilities, infrastructure and other appurtenances built to city standards, and ultimately owned and maintained by the city. Public improvements provide a public service (such as wastewater collection and treatment and water storage and distribution), and which protect the general health, safety, welfare and convenience of the citizens of Lake Worth, including efficiency in traffic circulation and access for emergency services.
Public infrastructure improvement.
A water, wastewater, roadway, drainage or park facility that is a part of one or more of the city public facilities systems.
Public open space easement (POSE).
An easement located at street intersections to promote visibility at the intersection.
Public park.
Land dedicated to the city specifically for development and use as a public open space and/or recreational area.
Public utility.
An entity that provides an essential commodity or service, such as electric, gas distribution, and local telephone, and that is generally under government regulation. A service provided to the public by either a private or a public agency.
Review.
A review of an application for a development permit based on documents, materials, and reports.
Right-of-way (ROW).
A use of land dedicated by plat or metes and bounds to and for use by the public and which right-of-way is separate and distinct from the lots, parcel abutting it, and not included within the dimensions or areas of such lots or parcels. The following are types of rights-of-way and/or design standards that may be established/associated with the creation of a subdivision:
(1) 
Alley.
A minor public right-of-way not intended to provide the primary means of access to abutting lots, which is used primarily for vehicular service access to the back or sides of properties otherwise abutting on a street.
(2) 
Parkway.
The area between the curb or edge of pavement and the property line of the abutting lot which is used for street improvements. See also “Street improvements” [subsection (4)].
(3) 
Public street.
A public right-of-way, however designated, designed to city standards and maintained by the city, which provides vehicular access to adjacent land and in accordance with the thoroughfare plan.
(4) 
Street improvements.
This means any street or thoroughfare, together with all appurtenances required by city regulations to be provided with such street or thoroughfare, and including but not limited to curbs and gutters, walkways (sidewalks), drainage facilities to be situated in the right-of-way for such street or thoroughfare, traffic-control devices, streetlights and street signs, for which facilities the city will ultimately assume the responsibility for maintenance and operation. Also, referred to as “parkway.”
(5) 
Street right-of-way.
The width of the right-of-way for any roadway is the shortest perpendicular distance between the lines which delineate the rights-of-way of the street.
Rough proportionality.
A term used to describe the nature and extent of required public improvements or facilities corresponding to the scale and type of proposed development; the portion of costs of a public improvement.
Shall, may.
The word “shall,” wherever used in this chapter, will be interpreted in its mandatory sense; the word “may” shall be interpreted as permissive.
Street(s).
A way for vehicular traffic, whether designated as a street, highway, road, avenue, boulevard, lane, place or other name. “Street” does not include a path or an alley. The design of streets within a development or improved with redevelopment shall comply with the approved master thoroughfare plan. See also “Plan” [Comprehensive plan], “Master thoroughfare plan.”
(1) 
Access or frontage road.
A street or road that provides access to adjacent properties along a freeway or expressway.
(2) 
Approach street.
A new or existing street not adjacent to a subdivision being developed but which provides access or improved access to such subdivision.
(3) 
Cul-de-sac.
A street having but one outlet to another street and terminated on the opposite end by a vehicular turnaround.
(4) 
Dead-end street.
A street, other than a cul-de-sac, with only one outlet.
(5) 
Street width.
The portion of the right-of-way constructed and designated for vehicular traffic. The shortest distance between the opposite edges of a paved surface or where curbs exist, the distance measured from face of curb to face of curb.
(6) 
Standard street.
A standard street is a street or road that meets or exceeds the minimum street improvements. This means any street or thoroughfare, together with all appurtenances required by city regulations to be provided with such street or thoroughfare, and including but not limited to curbs and gutters, walkways (sidewalks), drainage facilities to be situated in the right-of-way for such street or thoroughfare, traffic-control devices, streetlights and street signs, for which facilities the city will ultimately assume the responsibility for maintenance and operation.
Subdivider.
Any person or any agent thereof, dividing or proposing to divide land so as to constitute a subdivision as that term is defined herein. In any event, the term “subdivider” shall be restricted to include only the owner, equitable owner, or authorized agent of such owner or equitable owner, such as a developer, of land sought to be subdivided.
Subdivision.
Refer to “Addition.” A division or redivision of any tract of land situated within the corporate limits for the purpose of transfer of ownership, layout of any subdivision of any tract of land or any addition, or for the layout out of building lots, or streets, alleys or parts of other portions for public use or the use of purchasers or owners of lots fronting thereon or adjacent thereto.
Tract.
An unplatted parcel of land described by metes and bounds and typically recorded in the county deed records.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The branch of the U.S. Army that plans, engineers, and manages national water resource projects and facilities.
Utility.
Water, sanitary sewer, electric, gas, telephone, cable TV or any other such item of service either for public or private use.
Waiver.
As a part of the discretionary review process, the developer or applicant requests certain regulations not apply to the subdivision.
(Ordinance 1170, art. 10.200, adopted 11/12/19)