Township of Westampton, NJ Article IV Definitions

§ 215-4 Definitions and interpretation.

A. As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

DRAINAGE RIGHT-OF-WAY

The lands required for the installation of stormwater sewers or drainage ditches, or required along a natural stream or watercourse for preserving the channel and providing for the flow of water therein to safeguard the public against flood damage in accordance with Chapter 1 of Title 58 of the Revised Statutes.

FINAL PLAT

The final map of all or a portion of the subdivision, which map is presented to the Land Development Board for final approval in accordance with these regulations and which, if approved, shall be filed with the proper county recording officer.

[Amended 11-10-1998 by Ord. No. 24-1998]

LOTS

A parcel or portion of land separated from other parcels or portions by description, as on a subdivision or record-of-survey map, or by metes and bounds, for the purpose of sale, lease or separate use.

MAJOR SUBDIVISION

Any subdivision not classified as a minor subdivision.

MASTER PLAN

A composite of the mapped and written proposals recommending the physical development of the municipality which shall have been duly adopted by the Land Development Board.

[Amended 11-10-1998 by Ord. No. 24-1998]

MINOR SUBDIVISION

Any subdivision containing not more than three lots fronting on an existing street, not involving any new street nor an extension of municipal facilities, not adversely affecting the development of the remainder of the parcel or adjoining property and not in conflict with any provision or portion of the Master Plan, Official Map, Zoning Ordinance[1] or this chapter. Any rearrangement of lot lines which does not increase the number of building lots and/or which creates parcels which are to be consolidated with existing lots shall be classified as a "minor subdivision," provided that it meets the applicable criteria set forth in other parts of this definition and provided that either a deed of consolidation or a filed plat indicating such consolidation is presented and recorded.

[Amended 9-26-1974 by Ord. No. 11-1974]

OFFICIAL MAP

A map adopted in accordance with the Official Map and Building Permit Act, Chapter 434 of the Laws of 1953, or any prior act authorizing such adoption. Such a map shall be deemed to be conclusive with respect to the location and width of the streets, public parks and playgrounds and drainage rights-of-way shown thereon.

OWNER

Any individual, firm, association, syndicate, copartnership or corporation having sufficient proprietary interest in the land sought to be subdivided to commence and maintain proceedings to subdivide the same under this chapter.

PERFORMANCE GUARANTY

Any security which may be accepted in lieu of a requirement that certain improvements be made before the Land Development Board or other approving body approves a plat, including performance bonds, escrow agreements and other similar collateral or surety agreements.

[Amended 11-10-1998 by Ord. No. 24-1998]

PLAT

The map of a subdivision.

PRELIMINARY PLAT

The preliminary map indicating the proposed layout of the subdivision, which map is submitted to the Township Clerk/Administrator for Land Development Board consideration and tentative approval and which meets the requirements of Article VI of this chapter.

[Amended 9-21-1992 by Ord. No. 10-1992; 11-10-1998 by Ord. No. 2-1998]

SKETCH PLAT

The sketch map of a subdivision of sufficient accuracy to be used for the purpose of discussion and classification and meeting the requirements of Article VI of this chapter.

STREET  

Any street, avenue, boulevard, road, lane, parkway, viaduct, alley or other way which is an existing state, county or municipal roadway; or a street or way shown upon a plat heretofore approved pursuant to law or approved by official action; or a street or way on a plat duly filed and recorded in the office of the county recording officer prior to the appointment of a Land Development Board and the grant to such Board of the power to review plats, and includes the land between the street lines, whether improved or unimproved, and may comprise pavement, shoulders, gutters, sidewalks, parking areas and other areas within the street lines. For the purpose of this chapter, streets shall be classified as follows:

[Amended 11-10-1998 by Ord. No. 24-1998]

(1) ARTERIAL STREETS Those which are used primarily for fast or heavy traffic.

(2) COLLECTOR STREETS Those which carry traffic from minor streets to the major system of arterial streets, including the principal entrance streets of a residential development and streets for circulation within such a development.

(3) MINOR STREETS Those which are used primarily for access to the abutting properties.

(4) MARGINAL ACCESS STREETS Those which are parallel to and adjacent to arterial streets and highways and which provide access to abutting properties and protection from through traffic.

(5) ALLEYS Minor ways which are used primarily for vehicular service access to the back or the side of properties otherwise abutting on a street.

SUBDIVIDER

Any individual, firm, association, syndicate, copartnership, corporation, trust or any other legal entity commencing proceedings under this chapter to effect a subdivision of land hereunder for himself or for another.

SUBDIVISION

The division of a lot, tract or parcel of land into two or more lots, sites or other divisions of land for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of sale or building development; except that the following divisions shall not be considered subdivisions, provided that no new streets or roads are involved: divisions of land for agricultural purposes where the resulting parcels are three acres or larger in size; divisions of property by testamentary or intestate provisions; or divisions of property upon court order. "Subdivision" also includes resubdivision and, where appropriate to the context, relates to the process of subdividing or to the lands or territory divided.

SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE

A Committee of at least three Land Development Board members appointed by the Chairman of the Board to classify subdivisions in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and to carry out such other duties relating to land subdivision as may be conferred on the Committee by the Board.

[Amended 11-10-1998 by Ord. No. 24-1998]

[1] Editor's Note: See Ch. 250, Zoning.

B. Any chapter provision calling for the construction or interpretation of number of lots, whether for the purpose of classification of major or minor subdivisions or for any other purpose under this chapter, shall be interpreted as being cumulative in that prior subdivisions of the base tract, lot, parcel, Tax Map lot or other affected piece of ground shall be included in the computation.

[Added 9-26-1974 by Ord. No. 11-1974]