As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
AGENT
The person or persons appointed by the governing body of Galax to
serve as the agent of said governing body with respect to the subdivision
of land and the plat thereof pursuant to this chapter and to perform such
other duties and functions with respect to this chapter as said governing
body may require.
ALLEY
A permanent serviceway providing a secondary means of access to abutting
properties.
BUILDING LINE
The distance which a building is from the front lot line or front
boundary line.
COMMISSION
The Planning Commission of Galax, Virginia.
CUL-DE-SAC
A street with only one outlet and having an appropriate turnaround
for a safe and convenient reverse traffic movement.
DEVELOPER
An owner of property being subdivided, whether or not represented
by an agent.
EASEMENT
A grant by a property owner of the use of land for a specific purpose
or purposes.
ENGINEER
An engineer licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
HEALTH OFFICIAL
The Health Director or Sanitarian for the City of Galax, Virginia.
HIGHWAY ENGINEER
The resident engineer employed by the Virginia Department of Highways.
JURISDICTION
The area or territory subject to the legislative control of the governing
body.
LOT
A numbered and recorded portion of a subdivision intended for transfer
of ownership or for building development for a single building and its accessory
building.
LOT, CORNER
A lot abutting upon two or more streets at their intersection; the
shortest side fronting upon a street shall be considered the front of the
lot, and the longest side fronting upon a street shall be considered the side
of the lot.
LOT, DEPTH OF
The mean horizontal distance between the front and rear lot lines.
LOT OF RECORD
A lot which has been recorded in the office of the Clerk of the appropriate
court.
LOT, WIDTH OF
The mean horizontal distance between the side lot lines.
PLAT
Includes the terms "map," "plan," "plot," "replat" or "replot"; a
map or plan of a tract or parcel of land which is to be or which has been
subdivided. When used as a verb, "plat" is synonymous with "subdivide."
PROPERTY
Any tract, lot, parcel or several of the same collected together
for the purpose of subdividing.
STREET
The principal means of access to abutting properties.
STREET, MAJOR
A heavily traveled thoroughfare or highway that carries a large volume
of through traffic or anticipated traffic exceeding 500 vehicles per day.
STREET, SERVICE DRIVE
A public right-of-way generally parallel and contiguous to a major
highway, primarily designated to promote safety by eliminating promiscuous
ingress and egress to the right-of-way by providing safe and orderly points
of access to the highway.
STREET WIDTH
The total width of the strip of land dedicated or reserved for public
travel, including the roadway, curbs, gutters, sidewalks and planting strips.
SUBDIVIDE
To divide any tract, parcel or lot of land into two or more lots.
The agent may, however, with approval of the governing body permit the separation
of one-parcel from a tract of land without complying with all the requirements
of this chapter if it is not in conflict with the general meaning and purpose
of the chapter. The word "subdivide" and any derivative thereof shall have
reference to the term "subdivider" as defined below.
SUBDIVIDER
An individual, corporation or registered partnership owning any tract,
lot or parcel of land to be subdivided or a group of two or more persons owning
any tract, lot or parcel of land to be subdivided who have given their power
of attorney to one of their group or to another individual to act on their
behalf in planning, negotiating for, in representing or executing the legal
requirements of the subdivision.
SUBDIVISION
A division of a lot, tract or parcel of land into three or more lots
or other subdivision of land for the purpose, whether immediate or future,
of transfer of ownership or of building development, including all changes
in street or lot lines, and including any parcel previously separated by the
then-owner of such tract for such purpose subsequent to the adoption of these
regulations; provided, however, that divisions of land in parcels of five
acres or more not involving any new street or easement of access shall be
exempted.