Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following terms shall, for the purpose of these regulations, have the meaning indicated:
A. 
Words in the singular include the plural and those in the plural include the singular.
B. 
Words used in the present tense include the future tense.
C. 
The words "person," "subdivider," and "owner" include a corporation, an unincorporated association, and a partnership or other legal entity, as well as an individual.
D. 
The word "watercourse" includes channel, creek, ditch, dry run, spring, and stream.
E. 
The words "should" and "may" are permissive; and the words "shall" and "will" are mandatory and directive.
[Amended 3-28-2011 by Ord. No. 730]
Other terms or words used herein shall be interpreted or defined as follows:
ALLEY
A thoroughfare, publicly or privately owned, other than a side street, which affords only a secondary means of access to abutting property and not intended for general traffic circulation.
APPLICANT
A landowner or developer, as hereinafter defined, who has filed an application for development, including his heirs, successors and assigns.
BLOCK
An area bounded by three or more streets.
BUILDING SETBACK LINE
Front yard line; the line within a property defining the minimum required distance between any building to be erected and the edge of any required adjacent right-of-way (front lot line).
CARTWAY (ROADWAY)
The improved or paved portion or portions of a street available for vehicular or other traffic; the portion or portions between curbs where curbs are used.
CLEAR SIGHT TRIANGLE
An area of unobstructed vision at intersections defined by lines of sight between points at a given distance from the intersection of street center lines.
COMMERCIAL LAND DEVELOPMENT
A tract of one or more contiguous lots held in single ownership, to be used as a land development for the purpose of leaseholds in the commercial districts, as prescribed in these regulations.
COMPLETION BOND
A bond in cash or with an approved surety company guaranteeing the satisfactory completion of the improvements to land in accordance with this chapter.
CONDITIONAL USE
Certain land developments are cited as conditional uses in the District Regulations of the Peters Township Zoning Ordinance.[1] These conditional uses may be allowed or denied by the Township Council after recommendations by the Township Planning Commission, pursuant to express standards and criteria as set forth within the Zoning Ordinance.
CONDOMINIUM
A method of ownership applicable mainly to multifamily dwellings. Under this system, a person obtains title to his individual unit and, in addition, becomes a member of a nonprofit condominium association and, as such, part owner of all land, buildings and amenities within his condominium project.
CONVENTIONAL GAS WELL
As defined in the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Act, a conventional well is a vertical well bore that is drilled above the base of the Elk Sandstone Shale Formation or its equivalent stratigraphic interval.
[Added 9-26-2016 by Ord. No. 805]
COUNCIL
The Council of Peters Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania.
COUNTY
The County of Washington, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
The Planning Commission of the County of Washington.
CUL-DE-SAC
A dead-end street with a vehicular turnaround at the dead end.
CUT
An excavation; the difference in vertical elevation between a point on the surface of original ground and a point on the final grade; the material removed in excavation.
DEVELOPER
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.
DOUBLE FRONTAGE LOT
A lot extending between and having frontage on two generally parallel streets, excluding service streets.
DRIVEWAY
An improved surface for vehicular circulation or access on a lot or parcel of land.
DWELLING UNIT
Any structure, or part thereof, designed to be occupied as living quarters as a single housekeeping unit.
EASEMENT
A right of limited use of private property granted but not necessarily dedicated for a public or quasi-public purpose, and within which the owner of the property shall not erect any permanent structures, but shall have the right to make any other use of the land which is not inconsistent with the rights of the grantee.
ENGINEER
A licensed professional engineer registered as such in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
EROSION
The removal of surface materials by the action of natural elements.
EXCAVATION
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.
FILL
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 the 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 grade; the material used to make a fill.
FLOOD-PRONE AREA
A relatively flat or low land area which is subject to partial or complete inundation from an adjoining or nearby stream, river or watercourse; and/or any area subject to the unusual and rapid accumulation of surface waters from any source. See the Peters Township Zoning Ordinance for the definitions of the following terms: "identified flood-prone area," "one-hundred-year flood," and "regulatory flood elevation."[2]
GATEWAY TREATMENT
A gateway treatment is an area dedicated at all external access points to new residential subdivisions that include a landscaped median entry island or a roundabout at the external intersection.
IMPROVEMENTS TO LAND
A construction or installation of any of the following: streets, gutters, culverts, sidewalks, storm sewers, water drainage facilities, utilities (gas, electric, telephone services), water system, fire hydrants, sanitary sewers, septic tanks, street signs, streetlights and including cuts and/or fills.
INDUSTRIAL LAND DEVELOPMENT
A land development on one or more contiguous lots held in single ownership for the purpose of leaseholds, condominium, or subdivision as prescribed in these regulations.
LAND DEVELOPMENT
A. 
The improvement of one lot or two or more contiguous lots, tracts or parcels of land for any purpose involving:
(1) 
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 numbers of occupants or tenure; or
(2) 
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;
B. 
A subdivision of land.
C. 
Excluding:
(1) 
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;
(2) 
The addition of an accessory building, including farm buildings, on a lot or lots subordinate to an existing principal building;
(3) 
Or an amusement park as defined in § 503(1.1) of the Municipalities Planning Code.[3]
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 having a proprietary interest in the 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 AREA
The area contained within the property lines of a lot (as shown on the plat), excluding space within all street rights-of-way, but including the areas of all other easements.
LOW-SPEED CURVE
Low-speed curves are horizontal traffic calming devices that encourage low vehicle operation speeds. The radius of the curve depends on the maximum speed desirable.
MEDIAN ISLANDS
Median islands are raised islands placed between travel lanes that introduce a horizontal displacement to reduce travel speeds.
MOBILE HOME
A transportable, single-family dwelling, intended for permanent occupancy, office, or place of assembly contained in one unit, 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; the term does not include recreational vehicles or travel trailers.
MOBILE HOME LOT
A parcel of land in a mobile home park, improved with the necessary utility connections and other appurtenances prescribed in this chapter for the erection thereon of a single mobile home, which is leased by the park owner to the occupants of the mobile home erected on the lot. "Mobile home lot" is synonymous with "mobile home berth."
MODIFICATION
The authorization by the Council or the Planning Commission of limited changes in these regulations as provided for in § 385-11.
MONUMENT
Concrete markers placed to monument a street on a final plat for recording.
MULTIFAMILY LAND DEVELOPMENT
A land development on one or more contiguous lots held in single ownership for the purpose of leaseholds or condominiums as prescribed in these regulations.
OFFICIAL MAP
A map of Peters Township showing the exact location of the lines of existing and proposed public streets, watercourses and public grounds, including widenings, narrowings, extensions, diminution, openings or closings of same, as adopted by the Township Council.
OPEN SPACE
"Common open space" is a parcel or parcels of land or an area of water, or a combination of land and water within a development site and designed as intended for the use or enjoyment of residents, not including streets, parking lots, driveways and areas set aside as public grounds.
PEDESTRIAN/BIKE ACCESSWAY
A right-of-way dedicated for the use of residents to access other rights-of-way or parcels of ground dedicated to public use.
PLAN, CIRCULATION
That element of the Comprehensive Plan as adopted, which shall show the general location, alignment, and dimensions, and the identification and classification of existing and proposed streets, highways, and other thoroughfares.
PLANNING COMMISSION or TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION
The Planning Commission of Peters Township.
PLAN, OFFICIAL
The Comprehensive Development Plan (Master Plan) and/or Future Land Use Plan and/or Ultimate Right-of-Way Plan and/or Official Map or other such plans, or portions thereof, as may be adopted, pursuant to statute, for the area of the municipality in which the subdivision or land development will be located.
PLAT, FINAL
A complete and exact map or plan of a subdivision or land development (and including all required supplementary data), prepared for official recording as required by statute, to define property rights and proposed streets and other improvements.
PLAT OF RECORD
The copy of the final plat which contains the required original endorsements and which has been recorded with the County Recorder of Deeds.
PLAT, PRELIMINARY
A tentative map or plan of a subdivision or land development (and including all required supplementary data), in lesser detail than a final plat, showing approximate proposed street and lot layout as a basis for consideration prior to preparation of a final plat; said plat shall be prepared by a surveyor registered in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
PRIVATE STREET (See also "street.")
A right-of-way not adopted as a public street by Peters Township, or not having otherwise been adopted as a county, state or Township street.
PROTECTED STRUCTURE
Any full-time occupied residence, school, religious institution or other public building that may be impacted by activity associated with oil and gas well development and/or natural gas compressor stations or processing plants. This term shall not include any structure owned by a grantor or lessor who has signed, or is legally subject to, an agreement granting surface rights to drill a well and/or erect and maintain a natural gas compressor station or processing plant.
[Added 9-26-2016 by Ord. No. 805]
PUBLIC GROUNDS
Includes:
[Amended 3-14-2016 by Ord. No. 794]
A. 
Parks, playgrounds, trails, paths and other recreational areas and other public areas;
B. 
Sites for schools, sewage treatment, refuse disposal and other publicly owned or operated facilities;
C. 
Publicly owned or operated scenic and historic sites.
PUBLIC HEARING
A formal meeting held pursuant to public notice by the Council or Planning Commission, intended to inform and obtain public comment, prior to taking action in accordance with this chapter.
PUBLIC MEETING
A forum held pursuant to notice under the Act of October 15, 1998 (P.L. 729, No. 93), known as the "Sunshine Act," 65 Pa.C.S.A. § 701 et seq.
[Amended 3-14-2016 by Ord. No. 794]
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice published once each week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality. Such notice shall state the time and place of the hearing and the particular nature of the matter to be considered at the hearing. The first publication shall be not more than 30 days or less than seven days from the date of the hearing.
PUBLIC STREET
A right-of-way for vehicular access, which has been dedicated to and accepted by Peters Township or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
RAISED CROSSWALKS
Raised crosswalks are elevated pedestrian crossings that are similar to speed humps. They extend from curb to curb and can be used in locations likely to have pedestrian demand such as neighborhood recreation trails.
RESUBDIVISION
Any replatting or resubdivision of land, limited to changes in lot lines on an approved final plat or recorded plats as specified in these regulations. Other replattings shall be considered as constituting a new subdivision of land. See also "subdivision."
RIGHT-OF-WAY
The total width of any land dedicated as a street, alley, pedestrian/bike access or for other public purposes.
ROADWAY
See "cartway."
ROUNDABOUT
A type of circular intersection in which vehicular traffic must travel in one direction around a central island. Signs usually direct traffic entering the circle to slow down and the right-of-way to drivers already in the circle. The central island is landscaped.
RUNOFF
The surface water discharge or rate of discharge of a given area or watershed after a fall of rain or snow that does not enter the soil, but runs off the surface of the land.
SANITARY SEWAGE DISPOSAL, COMMUNITY
A sanitary sewage collection, managed and operated by the Peters Township Sanitary Authority or PeterSan, in which sewage is carried from individual lots and/or units by a system of pipes to a permanent central treatment and disposal plant.
SEDIMENTATION
The process by which mineral or organic matter is accumulated or deposited by a moving wind, water or gravity. Once this matter is deposited (or remains suspended in water), it is considered sediment.
SEPTIC TANK
A covered watertight settling tank in which raw sewage is biochemically changed into solid, liquid, and gaseous state to facilitate further treatment and final disposal.
SLOPE
The face of an embankment or cut section: any ground whose surface makes an angle with the plane of the horizon. Slope is expressed in a percentage based upon vertical difference in feet/100 feet of horizontal distance.
SOIL STABILIZATION
Chemical or structural treatment of a mass of soil to increase or maintain its stability or otherwise to improve its engineering properties.
SPEED CONTROL DEVICE
See "traffic calming device."
SPEED CONTROL POINT
A. 
A design condition which requires a complete stop such as the intersection of a local residential street with a higher order roadway type, or a T-intersection between local streets. Stop sign control at an intersection does not qualify.
B. 
A horizontal curve with design features that encourage reduced speeds.
C. 
A traffic calming device, the type and design of which is subject to review by Township staff and/or their traffic engineering consultant.
SPEED HUMPS
A speed hump is a raised surface on the roadway that is typically three inches to four inches in height and 12 feet in length.
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
See the definitions in Chapter 371, Stormwater Management, of the Code of Ordinances of Peters Township.
[Amended 3-14-2016 by Ord. No. 794]
STREET (See also "private street," "public street" and "Township street.")
A right-of-way to provide means of access for vehicles. The word "street" includes the words "road," "highway," "throughway," "way," "avenue," "lane," "court," "drive," "circle," "trail," "place," and "alley." Streets are further classified according to the functions they perform.
A. 
ARTERIALA four-lane roadway which functions as an inter-community link.
B. 
MAJOR COLLECTORA two-to-four lane roadway that functions as an intra-community link and serves as a feeder to arterial streets.
C. 
MAJOR CONNECTORA two-lane roadway which functions to facilitate the collection of traffic from local roads.
D. 
MINOR OR LOCAL ROADSA two-lane roadway which functions to give access to individual land parcels.
SUBDIVIDER
See "developer."
SUBDIVISION (See also "land development.")
A. 
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 devises, transfer of ownership, building or lot development; provided, however, that 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 residential dwellings, shall be exempted.
B. 
The term "subdivision" shall also include any land development (for example, but not limited to an industrial park, a shopping center or a multiple-dwelling project), which involves installation of streets and/or alleys, even though the streets and/or alleys might not be dedicated to public use and the parcel might not be divided immediately for purposes of conveyance, transfer, or sale, or even though the owner does not transfer legal or equitable title (for example, structures for rental purposes).
C. 
The term "subdivision" includes resubdivision.
D. 
The term "subdivision" shall refer, as appropriate in these regulations, to the process of subdividing land or to the land proposed to be subdivided.
SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETED
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 § 385-43 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.
SURVEYOR
A licensed surveyor registered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
SWALE
A low-lying stretch of land which gathers, or carries, surface water runoff.
TOWNSHIP
Peters Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania.
TOWNSHIP STREET
A street adopted as a public street by the Township, or having become a Township street legally by acts of dominion by the Township over an extended period of time.
TRAFFIC CALMING DEVICE
Traffic calming devices are the combination of mainly physical measures that reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter driver behavior and improve conditions for nonmotorized street users.
TRAFFIC CIRCLES
Traffic circles are raised islands located in the center of unsignalized intersections and reduce speeds due to the horizontal displacement required to negotiate the intersection. They are typically landscaped with ground cover to provide aesthetic appeal.
UNCONVENTIONAL GAS WELL
As defined in the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Act,[4] an unconventional well is a bore hole drilled or being drilled for the purpose of or to be used for the production of natural gas from an unconventional formation or that is deviated from the vertical.
[Added 9-26-2016 by Ord. No. 805]
VARIANCE
(See "modifications.")
WATERCOURSE
A permanent stream; intermittent stream; river, brook, creek; or a channel or ditch for water whether natural or man-made.
WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, COMMUNITY
A system for supplying and distributing water from a common source to two or more dwellings and/or other buildings within a single neighborhood.
WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, ON-SITE
A system for supplying and distributing water to a single dwelling or other building from a source located on the same lot.
WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, PUBLIC
A system for supplying and distributing water from a common source to dwellings and other buildings by a public water utility.
ZONING DISTRICT MAP
A map showing the various zoning districts into which the Township has been divided for the purpose of applying the regulations of the Zoning Ordinance.[5]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 440, Zoning.
[2]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 440, Zoning.
[3]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10503(1.1).
[4]
Editor's Note: See 58 Pa.C.S.A. § 3201 et seq.
[5]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 440, Zoning.