[Ord. 499, 9/13/2016, § 201]
For the purposes of this Chapter, the present tense includes the future tense, the singular number includes the plural, and the plural number includes the singular. The word "shall" is mandatory; the word "may" is permissive; the words "used" or "occupied" include the words "intended, designed," or "arranged to be used" or "occupied," and certain terms or words shall be interpreted as defined in § 22-202, "Definitions," below.
[Ord. 499, 9/13/2016, § 202]
As used in this Chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
ABUTTING
Having a common border with, or being separated from such common border, by an alley or easement.
ACCESS
A means of vehicular approach or entry to or exit from a lot, a site or a parcel.
ACCESS POINT
Any vehicular entrance or exit to a street. The distance between such access points shall be measured from the termination of one curb cut to the establishment of an adjacent curb cut.
ADMINISTRATOR
The Zoning Officer shall be that person as prescribed in Act No. 247, as amended, or as set forth by an ordinance by the Borough Council.
AGRICULTURAL OPERATION
An enterprise that is actively engaged in the commercial production and preparation for market crops, livestock and livestock products and in the production, harvesting and preparation for market or use of agricultural, agronomic, horticultural, silvicultural and aquacultural crops and commodities. The term includes an enterprise that implements changes in production practices and procedures or types of crops, livestock, livestock products or commodities produced consistent with practices and procedures that are normally engaged by farmers or are consistent with technological development within the agricultural industry.
ALLEY
As defined in the Rankin Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
APPLICANT
A landowner or developer who has filed an application for development, including his heirs, successors and assigns, as the case may be.
APPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT
Every application, whether preliminary, tentative or final, required to be filed and approved prior to start of construction or development, including but not limited to an application for a building permit, for the approval of a subdivision plat or plan or for the approval of a development plan.
APPLICATION FOR FINAL APPROVAL
The application for final approval of a development to be submitted by an applicant to the Borough.
APPLICATION FOR PRELIMINARY APPROVAL
The application for preliminary approval to be submitted by an applicant to the Borough.
ARTERIAL STREET
As defined in the Rankin Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
AUTHORITY
A body politic and corporate created pursuant to the Pennsylvania Municipalities Authorities Act.[1]
BERM
A mound of soil, either natural or man-made, used to obstruct views.
BICYCLE LANE
A lane at the edge of a road reserved and marked for the exclusive use of bicycles.
BICYCLE PATH
A pathway usually separated from the road, designed specifically to satisfy the physical requirements of bicycling.
BLOCK
A tract of land or parcel entirely surrounded by public highways, streets, streams, railroad rights-of-way, cemeteries, public parks, shorelines of waterways or corporate boundary lines of the Borough of Rankin or a combination thereof.
BOARD
Any body granted jurisdiction under a land use ordinance or under this act to render final adjudications.
BOROUGH
The Borough of Rankin, Allegheny County, Pa.
BOROUGH COUNCIL
Rankin Borough Council.
BOROUGH PLANNING COMMISSION
The Planning Commission of the Borough of Rankin.
BUFFER AREA
As defined in the Rankin Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
BUFFER ZONE
See "buffer area."
BUILDING
As defined in the Rankin Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
CALIPER
A measurement of the size of a tree equal to the diameter of its trunk measured 4 1/2 feet above natural grade.
CAPPED SYSTEM
A completed water supply and/or sewerage system put in place for future use (contingent upon expansion), rather than to meet immediate development needs.
CARTWAY
As defined in the Rankin Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
CHANNEL
The bed and banks of a natural stream which convey the constant or intermittent flow of the stream.
CHANNELIZATION
The straightening and deepening of channels and/or the surfacing thereof to permit water to move rapidly and/or directly.
CLEAR SIGHT TRIANGLE
As defined in the Rankin Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
COLLECTOR STREET
Roads as defined in the Rankin Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
COMMON OPEN SPACE
A lot, parcel, or parcels of land or any body of water, portions thereof or a combination thereof within a development site for the use and enjoyment of residents of a development, not including streets, off-street parking areas, and areas set aside for public facilities.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
As defined in the Rankin Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
CONSTRUCTION
The construction, reconstruction, renovation, repair; extension, expansion, alteration or relocation of a structure, including the placement of mobile homes.
COUNTY
The County of Allegheny, Pennsylvania.
COUNTY PLANNING AGENCY
The Allegheny County Department of Economic Development (ACED).
CROSSWALKS
A right-of-way, which furnishes a pedestrian connection at locations including street intersections, parking lots and other locations to provide safe, convenient access for pedestrians to adjacent streets or properties.
CULVERT
A structure designed to convey a watercourse not incorporated in a closed drainage system under a road or pedestrian walk.
CURB
A vertical or sloping edge of a road, such as a Belgian block curb, barrier curb, mountable curb or bituminous wedge curb.
DEDICATION
The transfer of property interests from private to public ownership for a public purpose. The transfer may be of fee-simple interest or of a less-than-fee interest, including an easement.
DEED
A written instrument whereby an estate in real property is conveyed.
DETENTION BASIN
A basin designed to retard stormwater runoff by temporarily storing the runoff and releasing it at a predetermined rate. A detention basin can be designed to drain completely after a storm event.
DETERMINATION
The final action by an officer, body or agency charged with the administration of any land use ordinance or applications thereunder except the governing body; the Zoning Hearing Board; the planning agency, only if and to the extent the planning agency is charged with final decision on preliminary or final plans under the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance or planned residential development provisions.
DEVELOPER
Any land owner, agent of such land owner, or tenant with the permission of such landowner, who makes or causes to be made a subdivision of land or a land development.
DEVELOPER'S AGREEMENT
The agreement between the Borough and the applicant which is required for final approval of an application for development and which shall state all conditions for development and shall establish the responsibilities of the parties to the agreement including financial security, sequencing, scheduling, methods of construction and provision of public improvements required prior to release of guarantees.
DEVELOPMENT
See "land development."
DEVELOPMENT PLAN
The provisions for development, including a planned residential development, a plat of subdivision, all covenants relating to use, location and bulk of buildings and other structures, intensity of use or density of development, streets, ways and parking facilities, common open space and public facilities. The phrase "provisions of the development plan," when used in this act, shall mean the written and graphic materials referred to in this definition.
DIVIDED STREET
A street having an island or other barrier separating moving lanes.
DRAINAGE
The removal of surface water or groundwater from land by drains, grading, or other means.
DRAINAGE FACILITY
Any component of the drainage system.
DRAINAGE SYSTEM
The system through which water flows from the land, including all watercourses, water bodies and wetlands.
DROP MANHOLE
A manhole provided for inspection and maintenance of sewers where an incoming sewer is considerably higher than the outgoing.
DRY LINES
See "capped system."
EASEMENT
Authorization by a lot owner of the use by another and for a specified purpose of any designated part of his lot.
ELECTRONIC NOTICE
Notice given by a municipality through the Internet of the time and place of a public hearing and the particular nature of the matter to be considered at the hearing.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRAINTS
Features, natural resources, or land characteristics that are sensitive to improvements and may require means to conserve and safeguard these features, but shall not be interpreted to authorize the unreasonable restriction of forestry, mining or other lawful uses of natural resources.
EROSION
The detachment and movement of soil or rock fragments, or the wearing away of the land surface by water, wind, ice, or gravity.
ESCROW
A deed, a bond, money, or a piece of property delivered to a third person to be to be held by the third person and released to the grantor only upon the fulfillment of a condition.
ESSENTIAL SERVICES
As defined in the Rankin Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
The government of the United States of America.
FEMA
The Federal Emergency Management Agency.
FENCE
A fabricated barrier used to enclose an area of land, a lot or site.
FILL
The depositing of land, whether submerged or not, and gravel, earth, or other materials of any composition whatsoever.
FINAL APPROVAL
The ultimate approval of a development granted by the Borough Council which follows preliminary approval and filing of the final development plan, all granted in accordance with Part 3 of this Chapter.
FINAL PLAN
The final map of a subdivision which is submitted for approval by the Borough Council and which, if approved, will be filed with the Allegheny County Department of Real Estate.
FINANCIAL SECURITY
Security required to be posted as a condition to final plan approval, by and in accordance with the requirements of this Chapter, all Borough ordinances and the MPC. The amount and form of the financial security shall be specified in accordance with § 509 of the MPC, 53 P.S. § 10509, as amended.
FIS
Flood Insurance Study with accompanying flood boundary floodway map prepared for the Borough by the Federal Insurance Administration.
FLAG LOT
A lot that has less frontage on a public street with a panhandle as an access corridor and whereas the lot is located behind a lot with normally required street frontage.
FLOOD
A temporary inundation of normally dry land areas.
FLOODPLAIN AREA
As defined in the Rankin Borough Floodplain Management Ordinance [Chapter 8].
FLUSHING
The cleaning out of debris and sediment from pipes by force of moving liquid, usually water.
GRADE
The slope of the ground surface, sidewalk, street, or public way, specified in percentage terms.
GRADING
The act of changing the natural contour of the land in any way.
GRADING PLAN
A plan to be prepared where an contemplates removal, modification or destruction of existing structures and/or ground cover and which shall be submitted with an application for development in accordance with this Chapter or the Grading Ordinance [Chapter 9].
GROUND COVER
A planting of low-growing plants or sod that in time forms a dense mat covering the surface of the land, preventing soil from being blown or washed away.
GUTTER
A shallow channel usually set along a curb or the pavement edge of a road for purposes of catching and carrying runoff water.
HEARING
An administrative proceeding conducted by the Board pursuant to § 909.1 of the MPC.[2]
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
Any material which prevents the absorption of stormwater into the ground.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE RATIO
The total area of a lot or site occupied by impervious surfaces, divided by the lot or site area.
IMPROVEMENT
Any man-made, immovable item which becomes a part of, placed upon, or is affixed to, real estate and which is necessary to produce usable and desirable lots from raw acreage including, but not limited to, grading, pavement, curb, storm and sanitary sewers, gutter, drains, and betterment to existing watercourses, sidewalks, street signs, crosswalks, shade trees, ground covers, sodding or seeding, street name signs and monuments.
IMPROVEMENTS, PRIVATE
All streets, walkways, gutters, curbs, sewers, water lines and other utilities or related facilities, but not including driveways and parking areas, to be operated and maintained by private entity, but which must be constructed in accordance with the Borough ordinances.
IMPROVEMENTS, PUBLIC
All streets, walkways, gutters, curbs, sewers, water lines and other utilities or related facilities to be dedicated to or maintained by the public; and, if dedicated to and maintained by the Borough, must comply with the Borough ordinances.
ISLAND
A raised area in a street, usually curbed, placed to guide traffic and separate lanes, or used for landscaping, signs or lighting.
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.
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) 
Subdivision of land.
3) 
Development in accordance with § 503(1.1) of the MPC, 53 P.S. § 10503(1.1), as amended.
4) 
The following shall not be considered a land development:
a) 
The conversion of an existing single-family detached 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.
c) 
The addition or conversion of buildings or rides within the confines of an enterprise which would be considered an amusement park. For purposes of this exemption, an amusement park is defined as a tract or area used principally as a location for permanent amusement structures or rides. This exclusion shall not apply to newly acquired acreage by an amusement park until the initial plans for the expanded area have been approved by the Borough.
LAND USE ORDINANCES
Any ordinance or map adopted pursuant to the authority granted in Articles IV, V, VI and VII of the MPC.
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 land owner, or other person having a proprietary interest in land.
LANDSCAPE PLAN
As defined in the Rankin Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
LANDSLIDE PRONE
Land that is susceptible to movement or sliding, as identified in the Soil Survey of Allegheny County, prepared by the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture; or as identified on the Landslide Susceptibility Map of Allegheny County; or as identified in the Mining Physiography Study, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, prepared by A.C. Ackenheil & Associates; or as established by geotechnical investigation.
LATERAL
Pipes for utilities connecting individual buildings to larger pipes, mains, trunks or interceptors that usually are located in street rights-of-way.
LOADING BERTH
Any off-street space or berth, abutting a street, way or other appropriate means of access, intended for the temporary parking of a commercial vehicle while loading or unloading merchandise or materials.
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
As defined by the Rankin Borough Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
LOT DEPTH
The mean horizontal distance between the front lot line and the rear lot line of the lot measured within the lot boundaries.
LOT LINE
As defined by the Rankin Borough Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
LOT LINE REVISION
See subdivision, "lot line revision."
LOT LINE, FRONT
As defined by the Rankin Borough Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
LOT LINE, REAR
As defined by the Rankin Borough Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
LOT LINE, SIDE
As defined by the Rankin Borough Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
LOT OF RECORD
Any parcel of land described by certain boundaries, or a lot which is recorded in the office of the Allegheny County Department of Real Estate, which at the time of its recording complied with all applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations.
LOT WIDTH
As defined by the Rankin Borough Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
LOT, BUILDABLE AREA OF
That portion of a lot bounded by the required front, rear, and side yard setbacks.
LOT, CORNER
As defined by the Rankin Borough Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
LOT, NONCONFORMING
A lot in which the area or dimension was lawful prior to the adoption or amendment of the Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27], but which fails to conform to the requirements of the zoning district in which it is located.
LOT, THROUGH
As defined by the Rankin Borough Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
MAILED NOTICE
Notice given by a municipality by first class mail of the time and place of a public hearing and the particular nature of the matter to be considered at the hearing.
MAIN
In any system of continuous piping, the principal artery of the system to which branches may be connected.
MAINTENANCE GUARANTEE
A guarantee of facilities, improvements or work to insure the correction of any failures of any improvements required pursuant to this Chapter and any other Rankin Borough regulation, or to maintain the same.
MANHOLE
An inspection chamber whose dimensions allow easy entry and exit and working room for a person inside.
MARB
Municipal Authority of Rankin Borough.
MARKER
A metal pipe or pin installed to delineate a specific location within a parcel of land or development.
MEDIAN
That portion of a divided highway separating lanes of traffic proceeding in opposite directions.
MEDIATION
A voluntary negotiating process in which parties in a dispute mutually select a neutral mediator to assist them in jointly exploring and settling their differences, culminating in a written agreement which the parties themselves create and consider acceptable.
MOBILE HOME
As defined by the Rankin Borough Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
MOBILE HOME LOT
As defined by the Rankin Borough Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
MOBILE HOME PARK
As defined by the Rankin Borough Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
MONUMENT
A concrete post installed to delineate a specific location within a parcel of land or development.
MOUNTABLE CURB
A low curb with a flat slope designed to be crossed easily without discomfort.
MOVING LANE
Any traffic lane where traffic movement is the primary if not sole function.
MPC
Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act of 1968, P.L. 805, No. 247, as reenacted and amended December 21, 1988, by Act of 1988, P.L. 1329, No. 170.[3]
MULCH
A layer of wood chips, dry leaves, straw, hay, plastic, or other materials placed on the surface of the soil around plants to retain moisture, prevent weeds from growing, hold the soil in place, or aid plant growth.
MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY
A body politic and corporate created pursuant to the act of May 2, 1945 (P.L. 382, No. 164), known as the "Municipality Authorities Act of 1945."[4]
NONRESIDENTIAL USE
Any use other than a residential use.
NOTICE, PUBLIC
See "public notice."
OBSTRUCTION
Any wall, dam, wharf, embankment, levee, dike, pile, abutment, projection, excavation, channel, rectification, culvert, building, fence, stockpile, refuse, fill, structure, or matter in, along, across or projecting into any channel, watercourse or flood-prone area which may impede, retard or change the direction of the flow of water either by itself or by catching or collecting debris carried by such water, or which is placed where the flow of the water might carry the same downstream to the damage of life and property.
OCCUPANCY
The physical possession upon, on or within any lot or structure for a use.
OCCUPANCY PERMIT
As defined by the Rankin Borough Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
ONE-HUNDRED-YEAR FLOOD
A flood that, on the average, is likely to occur once every 100 years (i.e., that has a one-percent change of occurring each year, although the flood may occur in any year).
OPEN SPACE
Land set aside for public use as recreational sites, floodplain areas, nature trails, historical sites or other areas where building is hazardous such as slide area, mined-out areas and other areas as designated by the federal, state or county agencies. Also includes common greens, yards, or other open areas associated with residential development.
ORDINANCE
The Rankin Borough Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance adopted as Ord. 327B.[5]
OWNER
See "landowner."
PA DEP
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
PARCEL
See "lot."
PARKING SPACE
A portion of a parking area, exclusive of driveways, designed for the parking of only one vehicle which is accessible from the street.
PAVING
Concrete or bituminous wearing surfaces with appropriate base consistent with sound engineering practices. "Paving" shall not include tar and chip and other similar practices.
PERCOLATION TEST
A test designed to determine the ability of ground to absorb water, and used to determine the suitability of a soil for drainage or for the use of an on-site sewage disposal system.
PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE
A financial guarantee to insure that all improvements, facilities, or work required by this Chapter will be completed in compliance with the chapter, regulations, and the approved plans and specifications of a development.
PERSONS
Individuals, corporations, companies, associations, joint stock companies, firms, partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations and other entities established pursuant to statutes of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; provided that person does not include, or apply to, the Borough or to any department or agency of the Borough.
PLANNING MODULE COMPONENTS (PMC)
The application for sewage facilities planning for all land development requiring revision of the Borough Comprehensive Official Sewage Facilities Plan which is submitted to the PA DEP, and the Allegheny County Health Department and the Rankin Borough Planning Commission in compliance with Pa. Chapter 71 as revised and with the Pa. Clean Streams Law.[6]
PLAT
A map, layout or plan of a subdivision or land development, whether preliminary or final.
PRE-APPLICATION CONFERENCE
An initial meeting between the applicant and Borough representatives which affords the applicant the opportunity to present their proposals informally prior to the submission of an application for development.
PRELIMINARY PLAN
The written and graphic material describing a proposed development and indicating the proposed layout of a subdivision or land development.
PRIVATE STREET
See "street, private."
PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANTS
Persons who provide expert or professional advice, including, but not limited to, architects, attorneys, certified public accountants, engineers, geologists, land surveyors, landscape architects or planners.
PUBLIC
Of or pertaining to land, buildings, structures, uses or activities owned, operated or controlled by the Borough of Rankin, the Woodland Hills School District, or other government agencies, federal, state or local other than a detention facility.
PUBLIC HEARING
A formal meeting held pursuant to public notice by the governing body or planning agency, 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 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 (relating to open meetings).
PUBLIC NOTICE
A notice published once each week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Borough. Such notice shall state the time and place of the public hearing and the particular nature of the matter to be considered at the public hearing. The first publication shall be not more than 30 days and the second publication shall not be less than seven days from the date of the public hearing.
PUBLIC OPEN SPACE
Land designated as open space which is owned by the municipality or other governmental agency and which is set aside for use by the general populace.
PUBLIC WAY
Any street, alley, or other parcel of land open to the outside air leading to a public street; deeded, dedicated, or otherwise permanently appropriated to the public for public use and having a clear paved width of not less than 10 feet.
REAR BUILDING LINE
See "building line, rear."
REAR LOT LINE
See "lot line, rear."
REAR LOT SUBDIVISION
See "flag lot."
REAR YARD
See "yard, rear."
REGULATORY FLOOD ELEVATION
The one-hundred-year flood elevation.
REPORT
Any letter, review, memorandum, compilation or similar writing made by any body, board, officer or consultant other than a solicitor to any other body, board, officer or consultant for the purpose of assisting the recipient of such report in the rendering of any decision or determination. All reports shall be deemed recommendatory and advisory only and shall not be binding upon the recipient, board, officer, body or agency. Any report used, received or considered by the body, board, officer or agency rendering a determination or decision shall be made available for inspection to the applicant and all other parties to any proceeding upon request, and copies thereof shall be provided at cost of reproduction.
RETAINING WALL
A structure erected between land of different elevation to protect structures and/or to prevent the washing down or erosion of earth from the upper slope level.
RIGHT-OF-WAY
As defined in the Rankin Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
RIGHT-OF-WAY, PRIVATE
The area dedicated to the use of a private street or other private purposes for the use of owners, residents or visitors of a development or lot.
RIGHT-OF-WAY, PUBLIC
The area dedicated to and accepted by the Borough, county or the commonwealth for a public street and other public purposes.
ROAD
The entire right-of-way of the public street or highway.
SCS
USDA Soil Conservation Service.[7]
SECRETARY; BOROUGH SECRETARY
The Secretary of Rankin Borough, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
SEDIMENTATION
A deposit of soil that has been transported from its site of origin by water, ice, wind, gravity, or other natural means as a product of erosion.
SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM, ON-SITE
An installation on an individual lot which utilizes an aerobic bacteriological process for the elimination of solid wastes and provides for the proper and safe disposal of the effluent, subject to the approval of health and sanitation officials having jurisdiction, as permitted by PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
SEWER
Any pipe conduit used to collect and carry away sewage or stormwater runoff from the generating source to treatment plants or receiving streams.
SIDEWALK
A paved path provided for pedestrian use and usually located at the side of a road within the right-of-way.
SIGHT DISTANCE
The maximum distance of unobstructed vision in a horizontal or vertical plane from within an automobile located at any given point on a street.
SIGHT TRIANGLE
See "clear site triangle."
SIGN
As defined in the Rankin Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
SITE
The total land area which is the subject of an application for development.
SITE AREA
The total area in a site as determined by a survey prepared by a registered surveyor. The total site area may include multiple lots.
SKETCH PLAN
A rough plan of a proposed subdivision or other development outlining general, rather than detailed, development intentions and describing the basic parameters of a major development proposal, rather than giving full engineering details. As such, it allows general intentions to be proposed and discussed without the extensive costs involved in submitting a detailed proposal.
SOLICITOR
The Solicitor of the Borough of Rankin.
STEEP SLOPES
Any land area with a grade that exceeds a ratio of four horizontal to one vertical (4:1) or a percent slope of 25%.
STORMWATER DETENTION
The slowing, dampening, or attenuating of runoff entering the natural drainage pattern or storm drainage system by temporarily holding it in surface or subsurface area such as detention basins, reservoirs, rooftops, streets, parking lots, or within the drainage system itself, and releasing the water at a desired rate of discharge.
STORMWATER RETENTION
The slowing, dampening, or attenuating of runoff entering the natural drainage pattern or storm drainage system by temporarily holding it in surface or subsurface areas such as retention basins, or reservoirs and allowing the runoff to percolate into the ground.
STREET
As defined in the Rankin Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
STREET CENTER LINE
A line which is usually at an equal distance from both street lines, or right-of-way lines.
STREET FRONTAGE
All property on one side of a street between two intersecting streets (crossing or terminating), measured along the line of the street, or the property abutting on one side of a street between an intersecting street and the dead-end of a street.
STREET, CUL-DE-SAC
A street with only one outlet and having the other end designed and constructed for the reversal of traffic movement. A cul-de-sac is a dead-end street terminating in a vehicular turnaround.
STREET, PRIVATE
As defined in the Rankin Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
STREET, PUBLIC
As defined in the Rankin Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
STRUCTURE
As defined in the Rankin Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
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 devises, transfer of ownership or 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.
SUBDIVISION, LOT LINE REVISION
A subdivision that only involves the revision of lot lines on previously recorded lots of record either transferring land between multiple property owners or consolidating existing lots, but in no instance creating additional lots.
SUBDIVISION, MAJOR
Any subdivision not classified as a minor subdivision or proposing the subdivision or development of three or more lots.
SUBDIVISION, MINOR
A subdivision of a parcel into not more than two lots, provided that such subdivision does not involve a planned development, any new street, or the extension of a utility or other Borough facility.
SUBDIVISION, SIMPLE
The division of one parcel into two lots both of which are located on a public street, have the area and frontage required by the Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27] and can be serviced by all necessary public utilities. Such subdivision does not involve a planned development, any new street, or the extension of utilities or other municipal facilities.
SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETED
Where, in the judgment of the Borough Engineer, at least 90% (based on the cost of the required improvements for which financial security was posted pursuant to § 22-304, Subsection 3G) 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.
SURVEY
A precise legal description of a lot and the graphic delineation of precise lot boundaries; lot dimensions and areas; all easements and public and private rights-of-way; and North point and graphic scale, affecting the lot, prepared by a professional land surveyor licensed and registered in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
TERRACE
A natural or artificial embankment between a building and its lot lines, the height of which is the difference in elevation between the curb level and the top of the terrace at the center of the building wall.
TRAFFIC IMPACT STUDY
A study completed by a traffic engineer or planner, at the request of the Borough Planning Commission, which evaluates the impacts a development will have on the transportation system.
TRIP
A single or one-way vehicle movement to or from a property or study area.
WYE
Point of connection of sanitary lateral sewer with the main collection line.
YARD
As defined in the Rankin Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
YARD, FRONT
As defined in the Rankin Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
YARD, REAR
As defined in the Rankin Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
YARD, SIDE
As defined in the Rankin Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
ZONING APPROVAL
Approval under the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27] certifying that an application for development or application for occupancy permit has fulfilled the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
ZONING CERTIFICATE
A written permit, issued by the Zoning Officer, for the erection or structural alteration of a structure to be erected or structurally altered in accordance with the Building Code [Chapter 4].
ZONING DISTRICT
An area of the Borough in which regulations under the Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27] uniformly apply.
ZONING DISTRICT MAP
The official Zoning Map of the Borough which shall indicate the zoning districts and other relevant information thereon and shall be a part of this Chapter by reference.
ZONING HEARING BOARD
The Zoning Hearing Board of Rankin Borough.
ZONING OFFICER
As defined in the Rankin Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
ZONING ORDINANCE
The Rankin Borough Zoning Ordinance [Chapter 27].
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
[2]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10909.1.
[3]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.
[4]
Editor's Note: The Municipality Authorities Act of 1945 (53 P.S. § 301 et seq.) was repealed by Act 22 of 2001 (June 19, 2001, P.L. 287, No. 22). See now the Municipality Authorities Act, 53 Pa.C.S.A. § 5601 et seq.
[5]
Editor's Note: Such ordinance was superseded by Ord. 499.
[6]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 691.1 et seq.
[7]
Editor's Note: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s "Soil Conservation Service (SCS)" changed to "Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)."