Township of Springfield, PA Article II Terminology

§ 123-8 Word usage.

Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following words and phrases shall be construed throughout this chapter to have the meanings indicated below:

A. The present tense includes all other tenses; the singular includes the plural, and the plural includes the singular; the masculine gender includes the feminine and neuter; the words "used" includes the words "designed" or "arranged"; the word "person" includes any individual, estate, trust, fiduciary, partnership, association, corporation or any other organization or entity, including the principal officers thereof or any person or entity acting directly or indirectly by, through or under any of the foregoing; the word "occupied" includes the words "designed or intended to be occupied"; the word "structure" includes the word "building"; the word "shall" is always mandatory; the words "as amended" as applied to any statute, ordinance, code, regulation, plan or map, includes replacements, supplements or restatements thereof; and reference to a particular article, section or subsection which inherently refers to other articles, sections or subsections includes all articles, sections or subsections referred to.

B. The word "Township" means Springfield Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania; the term "Board of Commissioners" means the Board of Commissioners of the Township; and the term "Planning Commission" means the Planning Commission of the Township.

C. The terms "such as" and "including" are intended to introduce matters which are illustrative of the meaning of the sentence, clause or phrase in which such terms appear, without limiting or derogating from the general application of the sentence, clause or phrase in which such terms appear.

§ 123-9 Definitions.

A. For the purposes of this chapter, the following words, terms and phrases have the meanings indicated herein:

ABANDON

The act of discontinuing use or activity for a period of 12 consecutive months.

ABUTTING OWNER

The owner of record of a parcel of land which is contiguous, at any point, to the parcel for which a zoning change, amendment, subdivision and/or land development is being considered or which has frontage on a common road or street (public or private) across from the subject parcel.

[Amended 5-9-1995 by Ord. No. 1314]

ACCELERATED EROSION

Removal of the surface of the land through the combined action of man's activities and natural processes at a rate greater than would occur from natural processes alone.

ACCELERATION LANE

An added roadway lane which permits integration and merging of slower moving vehicles into lanes of the main vehicular flow.

ACCEPTABLE OUTFALL

The point where stormwater can be released to a channel or other body of water without causing erosion to or sedimentation of the receiving channel or other body of water. The outfall shall include structural and vegetative measures to assure nonerosive velocities or rates of flow.

ACCESS

A way or means of approach to provide physical ingress to and egress from a tract or lot.

ACCESSORY BUILDING

A building subordinate to the principal permitted building on a lot and used for purposes customarily incidental to those of the principal building.

[Amended 5-9-1995 by Ord. No. 1314]

ACCESSORY USE

A use conducted on the same lot as a principal permitted use to which it is related and which is located either within the same structure(s) or in an accessory building or structure. A use which is clearly incidental to, and customarily found in connection with, a particular principal permitted use.

ACCESSWAY

A drive, driveway, aisle, private street or other pavement which connects parking areas, buildings and other structures to a road, street or highway.

ADVERSE EFFECTS

Results contributing to a harmful or degraded condition and/or producing an unfavorable result, such as harmful or degraded conditions to the environment caused by adverse environmental impacts.

AGENT

Any person or entity, other than the landowner or developer, who, acting upon written authority for the landowner or developer, files subdivision and/or land development plans with the Township for the purpose of obtaining approval thereof.

AGRICULTURAL USE; AGRICULTURE

The cultivating of the soil, the raising of livestock and poultry and the harvesting of the products of the soil, including horticulture and forestry, but excluding commercial greenhouses, garden centers, garden marts or nurseries.

ALLEY

A right-of-way providing secondary vehicular access to the side or rear of two or more lots.

ALTERATION

Any change, including, but not limited to: a change to the exterior or structural portions of a building; any change to or in a building which would alter its use classification; or any change would substantially alter an existing sewage system, traffic condition or other infrastructure element.

ALTERATION OF BUILDING OR STRUCTURE

See "structural alteration."

ALTERNATIVES

Choices between or among two or more plans, layouts, approaches, solutions and/or results.

ANTECEDENT CONDITIONS

Specified characteristics of the land surface (e.g., meadow) prior to a proposed disturbance or prior to a rainfall event (e.g., amount of moisture in the soil); the basis for calculating increases in runoff attributable to the disturbance or storms which must be controlled.

APPLICANT

A landowner or developer, who has filed an application for subdivision and/or land development, as hereinafter defined, including heirs, successors, assigns and grantees. The term "applicant" may include a landowner or developer who has filed an application for conditional use, special exception or other required approvals.

APPLICATION FORM

A form available from the Township Secretary (included in the Appendix of this chapter)[1] which is to be used to provide information to aid in the review of a subdivision and/or land development plan and for general administrative purposes.

APPLICATION FOR SUBDIVISION AND/OR LAND DEVELOPMENT

The action to complete, sign and file an application form as therein provided and as provided by this chapter, which shall also include the filing of the number and type of plans, documents and other submissions required by this chapter for the review and/or approval of a preliminary or tentative plan and thereafter, a final plan, and the necessary fees in accordance with the prevailing application fees; an application, whether preliminary or final, required to be filed and approved prior to the conveyance or other transfer of lots and/or the commencement of construction and development, including an application for the approval of a subdivision plat or plan and an application for the approval of a development plan.

ARCHITECT

A design professional duly registered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to practice architecture.

BEARINGS AND DISTANCES

See "metes and bounds."

BENEFICIAL EFFECTS

Results contributing to an improvement in condition and/or producing a favorable outcome or result.

BERM

A mound of earth which serves purposes such as directing the flow of surface water runoff, preventing soil erosion or supporting plant materials to aid in screening.

BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES

Characteristics of the natural environment manifest in its flora and fauna. The disposition of these characteristics is typically expressed in vegetation and/or wildlife units such as tree, woodland or forest stands and related understory and ground cover growth and aquatic and terrestrial wildlife and/or their habitats.

BLOCK

A developed area bounded by three or more streets.[2]

BUILDABLE AREA

The area of a lot remaining after the minimum yard and setback requirements of Chapter 143, Zoning, of the Code of the Township of Springfield have been met within which a principal permitted building shall be located. Such setback requirements include yard setback and setbacks from flood hazard and flood fringe areas, and such features as areas of steep slope and very steep slope and easements. The buildable area shall be shown on plans, exclusive of any land in the Flood Hazard District and Steep Slope Conservation District.

BUILDER

A person, who is not necessarily the owner of the land or agent of the same, who, by contract or other agreement, is charged with the responsibility of construction of buildings or other structures, or of making any construction improvements on any lot.

BUILDING

Any structure having a roof supported by columns or walls or other support and used for the shelter, housing or enclosures of persons, animals or property, including a public or private garage.

[Amended 5-9-1995 by Ord. No. 1314]

BUILDING PERMIT

A document issued by the Township granting permission for the construction, repair, alteration of or addition to a structure.

CALIPER

The diameter of a tree trunk measured at a point 4 1/2 feet from the ground surface at the center of the base of the tree for all existing trees greater than 12 inches in diameter; and at a point six inches from the ground surface at the center of the base of the tree for all street trees or shade trees to be planted in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.

CAPPED SEWERS

Sanitary sewage facilities which are installed and capped where existing sanitary sewer facilities are not accessible and available, but are proposed in the official sewage facilities plan of the Township. Such facilities shall include sanitary sewers, force mains, pumping stations and all other appurtenances necessary to serve the entire subdivision and/or land development.

CARTWAY

That area of a road or other street within which vehicles are permitted, including travel lanes, but not including shoulders, curbs, gutters, sidewalks or drainage swales.

CATCH BASIN

An inlet designed to intercept and redirect surface waters.

CENTER LINE OF STREET OR ROAD

A line equidistant from and parallel to the street, right-of-way or property lines on each side of the street or road.

CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY

A statement signed by the Code Enforcement Officer setting forth that a building, structure or use legally complies with Chapter 143, Zoning, of the Code of the Township of Springfield and other applicable codes and regulations and that the same may be used for the purposes stated therein.

CHANNEL

An area which conveys the normal continuous or intermittent flow of water.

CLEAR SIGHT DISTANCE

The required length of street clearly visible to the driver of a vehicle at any given point on the street when the view is obstructed by traffic. Clear sight distance shall be made from a point 4 1/2 feet above the center line of the street surface to a point six inches above the center line of the street surface.

CLEAR SIGHT TRIANGLE

An area of unobstructed vision at street intersections defined by lines of sight between points at a given distance from the intersection of street center lines.

COMMON OPEN SPACE

A parcel or parcels of land or an area of water, or a combination of land and water within a development site, designed and intended for the use or enjoyment of residents of a development, not including streets, off-street parking areas and areas set aside for public facilities.

[Amended 9-12-1989 by Ord. No. 1211; 5-9-1995 by Ord. No. 1314]

COMMUNITY FACILITIES

The services which provide for various community health, education, safety, leisure and like needs and the locations at which these services are provided. Typical community facilities include schools, parks and recreation areas, libraries, hospitals, and other health care facilities, fire protection, police, ambulance and rescue service, municipal services and postal services.

[Amended 5-9-1995 by Ord. No. 1314]

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

The Springfield Township Comprehensive Plan, as may be amended from time to time, including maps, tables and text which constitute a policy guide for decisions regarding land use, circulation, community facilities and utilities within the Township.

CONDOMINIUM

A building or group of buildings in which units are owned individually, and the structure, common areas and facilities are owned by all of the owners on a proportional undivided basis, all of which shall be owned and operated under the Pennsylvania Unit Property Act of 1963, as amended.[3]

CONSERVATION PLAN

A plan filed as and forming a part of the preliminary plan and the final plan detailing the measures to be taken by the landowner or developer for the purposes of the protection of watercourses, notable trees and other important natural features and for the control of grading, soil erosion and sedimentation and stormwater management.

CONSTRUCTION

Any disturbance of the land or the erection of structures thereon, including the cutting of trees or clearing of brush; provided, however, that staking or the clearing for survey lines or performing engineering or other scientific tests to obtain data shall not be deemed as "construction."

CONTOUR

An invisible line on the surface of the earth along which all points are at the same elevation above sea level. Such lines are represented on maps relative to data furnished by such agencies as the United States Geological Survey (USGS) or other organizations duly certified to produce such information.

CUL-DE-SAC

A street having vehicular access to and from another street at one end and terminating in a vehicular turnaround at the other end.

CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT

A representation of man's influence on land and/or water through the use, organization, adornment and maintenance of property and structures.

CULVERT

A structure designed to convey water under a street or pedestrian walk.

CURB

A stone or concrete boundary marking the edge of the cartway or paved area.

CUT

A portion of land or other area from which earth has been removed or will be removed by excavation; or the depth below the original ground surface or excavated surface.

DATE OF FILING

The date on which a complete application for subdivision and/or land development has been submitted to and accepted by the Township Manager.

DATUM

A reference point from which elevations are measured. The standard datum is sea level, as established by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

DECELERATION LANE

An added roadway lane that permits vehicles to slow down and leave the main vehicular flow.

DEDICATION

A gift or other donation of property by the owner thereof to the Township or other entity, which is formally accepted by the Township or other entity.

DEED

A legal document conveying an estate or other right, title or interest in property.

DESIGN PROFESSIONAL

An architect, engineer, landscape architect, land planner or surveyor who prepares plans which are described in this chapter, according to specific requirements set forth herein.

DESIGN STANDARDS

Standards adopted pursuant to this chapter, appearing in Article V.

DETENTION BASIN

A structure designed, built and used to retard surface water runoff for a period of time sufficient to cause the deposition of sediment and to reduce the velocity and volume of surface flows leaving a site.

DEVELOPER

Any landowner, equitable owner or authorized agent of such landowner who makes or causes to be made a subdivision of land or a land development.

DEVELOPMENT

A subdivision or land development project.

[Amended 5-9-1995 by Ord. No. 1314]

DITCH

A small drainage channel.

DIVERSION CHANNEL

A channel constructed on, across or at the bottom of a slope.

DRAINAGE

A system for conveying surface water or groundwater from the land by facilities or structures which serve to control or otherwise manage runoff and minimize sedimentation and soil erosion during and after construction or development.

DRAINAGE EASEMENT

A right-of-way granted to use private land to facilitate the flow of water as deemed necessary by the Township within which the owner shall erect no permanent structures but may use the land in any other way not inconsistent with the grantee's rights.

DRAINAGE FACILITY

Any trench, ditch, swale, gutter, pipe, culvert, storm sewer or other similar depression or structure designed, intended or constructed for the purpose of diverting surface water or conveying surface water or groundwater from a subdivision, land development area or contiguous areas.

DRAINAGE PLAN

A plan which depicts existing and proposed drainage as required by this chapter.

DRAINAGEWAY

Any watercourse or trench, ditch, swale, gutter, pipe, culvert, storm sewer or other similar depression or structure in which water flows in a definite direction, either continuously or intermittently, and has a definite channel, bed and banks, and includes any area adjacent thereto subject to inundation by reason of overflow.

DRIVEWAY

A strip of land on a lot which provides access for vehicles to a parking space, garage, dwelling or other structure from a street.

DRY WELL

A covered pit with open-jointed lining through which water from roofs, basement floors or areaways may seep or leach into the surrounding soil.

EARTHMOVING ACTIVITY

Land disturbance activity resulting in the movement of earth or stripping of vegetative cover from the earth.

EASEMENT

A right, privilege or other interest granted or reserved for the use of land for a particular purpose.

[Amended 5-9-1995 by Ord. No. 1314]

ECONOMIC AND FISCAL CHARACTERISTICS

Characteristics related to the expenditures and revenues in conjunction with the management of income of a household, private business, community, association and/or government.

EGRESS

An exit.

ELEVATION

A vertical distance above or below a fixed reference level; or a scale drawing of the front, rear or side of a building.

ENGINEER

A design professional duly registered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to practice professional engineering.

ENLARGEMENT

An addition to the floor area of an existing building, an increase in size of another existing structure or an increase in that portion of a tract of land occupied by an existing use.

ENVIRONMENT

The conditions, resources and/or characteristics which exist within and surround the area to be affected by a proposed subdivision and/or land development including natural elements such as land, water, air, minerals, natural flora and natural fauna; and man-made components such as objects of historic or aesthetic significance, infrastructure and man-related attributes of a social and economic nature.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT

An assessment which objectively describes, analyzes and documents both the beneficial and adverse environmental effects of a proposed subdivision and/or land development and the measures to be undertaken to mitigate adverse effects in accordance with the provisions set forth in this chapter.

[Amended 5-9-1995 by Ord. No. 1314]

EXCAVATION

Removal or recovery by any means whatsoever of soil, rock, minerals, mineral substances or organic substances other than vegetation from water or land or beneath the surface thereof, whether exposed or submerged.

FILL

Material such as sand, gravel, earth and other suitable and approved composition; or, 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 a stripped or otherwise cut surface.

FLOOD

A temporary inundation of normally dry areas.

FLOOD FRINGE

That portion of the floodplain outside the floodway.

FLOOD HAZARD AREA

The area so described in Chapter 143, Zoning, of the Code of the Township of Springfield and delineated on the Flood Hazard District Map.[4]

FLOODING

A general or temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of areas from the overflow of inland waters and/or the unusual and rapid accumulation of water on or under the ground.

FLOOD, ONE-HUNDRED-YEAR

A flood that, on the average, is likely to occur once every 100 years (i.e., that has a one-percent chance of occurring each year, although the flood may occur in any year).

FLOODPLAIN

A relatively flat or low land area, adjoining a creek, stream or other watercourse, which is subject to partial or complete inundation; or an area subject to the unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source.

FLOOD-PRONE AREA

The area so described in Chapter 143, Zoning, of the Code of the Township of Springfield and delineated on the Flood Hazard District Map.[5]

FLOODWAY

The designated area of a floodplain required to carry and discharge floodwaters of a given magnitude. For the purposes of this chapter, the floodway shall be capable of accommodating a flood of the one-hundred-year magnitude.

FORESTED AREAS

Those areas of extensive vegetation in which the dominant plants are trees that are indigenous to the area.

FREESTANDING TREE

An individual tree that is not part of a tree mass or contiguous stand of woodland or forest land.

FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION OF STREETS, ROADS AND HIGHWAYS

The categorization of streets, roads and highways according to a hierarchy of service characteristics for which various design standards have been established.

GRADE

The slope of a street, road or other installation expressed as a percent; or the elevation of existing, finished or proposed conditions as hereinafter defined.

GRADE, EXISTING

The elevation, relative to a given datum, of the ground surface prior to any excavation, cut or fill.

GRADE, FINISHED

The elevation, relative to a given datum, of the ground surface after completion of any excavation, cut or fill.

GRADE, PROPOSED

The elevation, relative to a given datum, of the ground surface proposed to be achieved by excavation, cut or fill.

GRADING

The changing of the surface of the ground by cutting, filling or excavation, including land in its cut or filled condition.

GROUNDWATER RECHARGE

Replenishment of geologic structures and rock or soil interstices which have the capacity to store water or permit the transfer of water to a geologic storage area.

GUARANTY, COMPLETION

The financial security that may be accepted by the Township as a guaranty that improvements required as part of an application for subdivision and/or land development are completed to the satisfaction of the Township. Such financial security shall include, but is not limited to, performance bonds, federal- or commonwealth-chartered lending institution irrevocable letters of credit, and restrictive or escrow accounts in such lending institutions.

GUARANTY, MAINTENANCE

The financial security that may be accepted by the Township as a guaranty that improvements required as part of an application for subdivision and/or land development will be in first-class condition, state of repair and working order for a specific period of time. Such financial security shall be similar to that accepted for a completion guaranty.

GUTTER

That portion within a street right-of-way, outside the cartway, designed for surface drainage, whether paved or otherwise.

HISTORIC RESOURCES

Sites, areas, structures, trails and/or routes which are valued due to their significance as examples and/or locations of events, customs, skills and/or arts of the past, including those having a present significance.

IMPACT

The power of an event to produce changes in a condition. In the context of impact exerted on the environment, changes which affect the existing conditions and/or quality are of greatest concern.

IMPERVIOUS SURFACE

A surface which has materials that do not normally absorb rainfall or surface water, such as buildings, paved parking areas, paved walks and similar surfaces.

[Amended 6-9-1995 by Ord. No. 1314]

IMPOUNDMENT

A body of water, such as a pond, detention or retention basin, confined by a headwall, dike, floodgate or other barrier, in the nature of a dam.

IMPROVEMENT

The act of creating improvements.

IMPROVEMENTS

Physical additions and changes to land, such as grading, paving, curbing, fire hydrants, water mains, sanitary sewers, capped sewers, storm sewers, storm drains, catch basins, culverts, sidewalks, monuments, crosswalks, bridges, earthworks, streetlights, wells, on-site sewage disposal systems, street trees and other plantings, planting screen and other structures that may be necessary to produce usable and desirable land development. The following activities shall not be deemed "improvements":

[Amended 5-9-1995 by Ord. No. 1314]

(1) Any earthmoving activity, grading and/or stripping of real property when the disturbed area is less than:

(a) Three hundred square feet in any Nonresidential District.

(b) Eight thousand five hundred square feet in an A or D Residence District.

(c) Seven thousand two hundred square feet in a B Residence District.

(d) Five thousand one hundred square feet in a C Residence District.

(e) Five thousand square feet in a Planned Residential Development Overlay District.

(2) Any physical additions and/or changes to the land (exclusive of buildings), in Nonresidential Districts, which will not disturb an area greater than 300 square feet.

(3) The erection of a sign, fence or flagpole.

IMPROVEMENTS AGREEMENT

A list of improvements, approved by the Township, which the landowner or developer agrees to install as a prerequisite to final plan approval.

INFILTRATION STRUCTURE

A structure designed to direct the flow of rain into storage in geologic structures, e.g., French drains, seepage beds, seepage trenches and the like.

INFRASTRUCTURE

The basic installations and facilities on which the continuance and growth of a community depend, such as roads, schools, electrical transmission facilities, transportation and communication systems.

INGRESS

An entrance.

INTERIOR WALK

A right-of-way for pedestrian travel across or within a block or on a lot.

INVERT

The lowest visible surface of a drainage conduit or channel.

LAND DEVELOPMENT

Any of the following activities:

[Amended 13-1989 by Ord. No. 1200]

(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; or

(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) A subdivision of land.

LAND DEVELOPMENT PLAN

A sketch, preliminary or final plan, showing the provisions for development of a tract of land.

[Amended 5-9-1995 by Ord. No. 1314]

LANDOWNER

The record holder of legal title to land; the rightful 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 expressly under the lease to exercise the rights of the owner; or other person(s) having a proprietary interest in the land.

LAND PLANNER

A design professional who is recognized as a certified planner by the American Institute of Certified Planners, an institute of the American Planning Association.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

A design professional duly registered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to practice landscape architecture.[6]

LAND USE

The use to which land is used, arranged and the like, typically expressed in terms of the type of activity or development which exists, such as agricultural, residential, municipal and the like, whether such use is principal or accessory.

LEASEHOLD

A tenure by lease; property held by lease.

LOAD-BEARING FILL

Any facility, earthwork or fill placed in a controlled manner and compacted to support structural foundations and the buildings and other structures thereon, vehicular traffic or improvements in accordance with the highest standards of professional engineering.

LONG-TERM EFFECTS

Results which are manifest for, or extend over, a long period of time.

LOT

One duly recorded parcel of land on which a permitted use or building and an accessory use or building may be placed, together with the required yards and areas required by this chapter, not including any land within the limits of a street right-of-way upon which the lot abuts, even if a portion of the right-of-way is maintained by the owner of the lot.

LOT, CORNER

A lot abutting upon two or more streets, or upon two parts of the same street, forming an interior angle of less than 135°.

LOT COVERAGE

The percentage of the lot area that is occupied by the building area.

LOT DEPTH

The distance along a straight line drawn from the midpoint of the front lot line to the midpoint of the rear lot line.

LOT, FLAG

A lot configured in such a way so as to provide a narrow strip of land serving as access to a building envelope which does not provide a width, equal to the minimum lot width designated for the district in which it is located, at all points located directly opposite the adjacent lot's building envelope. Adjacent lot's building envelope projections and width measurements must be made parallel to all streets common to each lot.

[Added 5-9-1995 by Ord. No. 1314[7]]

LOT LINE

A property boundary line shown on a recorded plan or described in a recorded deed. In the case of any lot abutting a street, the lot line for the portion of the lot abutting the street shall be deemed to be the same as the street line and shall not be the center line of the street or any other line within the street right-of-way.

[Amended 5-9-1995 by Ord. No. 1314]

LOT, THROUGH

A lot which abuts a street on two or more opposing or nonadjacent sides.

LOT WIDTH

The horizontal distance measured between the side lot lines at the required or proposed building setback line. When there is only one side lot line, as in the case of two-family or single-family attached dwellings, the lot width shall be measured between the side lot line and the center line of the party wall.

[Amended 5-9-1995 by Ord. No. 1314]

MARKER

An iron pipe or steel bar 3/4 of an inch in diameter and 30 inches in length.

METES AND BOUNDS

A method of describing the boundaries of land by directions or bearings and distances from a known point of reference, including the content of the land and each lot in square feet and acres and fractions thereof.

MITIGATION

The act of precluding a potentially adverse effect and/or making a potentially adverse effect less severe through measures which will improve a condition and/or lessen the impact.

MONUMENT

A permanent marker set to mark a boundary or a control point in a survey.

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

A composition of land, water and/or air represented by its inherent physical and biological resources.

NOTABLE TREES

Trees of twelve-inch caliper or greater, which are indigenous to the Township.

OFFICIAL MAP

A legally adopted map that conclusively shows the location of such features as existing and proposed public streets, watercourses and public grounds.

OFFICIAL SEWAGE FACILITIES PLAN

The plan adopted by the Township and approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources which sets forth recommendations for the provision of adequate sewage systems in the Township in accordance with the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act, Act 537.[8]

ON-LOT SEWAGE DISPOSAL

A single system of piping, a septic tank or other approved facility serving a single lot and collecting and disposing of sewage in whole or in part into the soil through a septic tank filter field.

ON-LOT WATER SUPPLY

An individual well serving one lot and/or water supply on a lot occupied or to be occupied and serving permitted buildings.

PARKING SPACE

A reasonably level space, available for the temporary parking of one motor vehicle, exclusive of passageways, driveways or other means of circulation or access. A "parking space" shall include either covered garage spaces or uncovered parking lot space located off the street right-of-way and in A, B or C Residence Districts or D Residential Apartment District, shall be in back of the front yard building setback line.

[Amended 5-9-1995 by Ord. No. 1314]

PEAK DISCHARGE

The maximum rate of flow of water at a given point and time resulting from a predetermined storm.

PENNSYLVANIA MUNICIPALITIES PLANNING CODE

Pennsylvania Act 247 of 1968 (P.L. 805), as amended, also cited as 53 P.S. § 10101 et seq., or any subsequent act of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania which replaces supplements or repeals any or all of the provisions of Act 247.

PERMEABLE

Porous to water or to other liquids.

PERSON

An individual, association, trust, partnership or corporation, including any members, directors, officers, employees, partners or principals thereof. Whenever used in any clause prescribing and imposing a penalty, "person" includes the members, trustees, partners, directors, officers, managers and supervisors, or any of them, of partnerships, associations, corporations or other form of entity.

PHYSICAL RESOURCES

Characteristics of the natural environment manifest in its landforms, soils, geological structure of surface and/or subsurface rock, minerals, natural bodies of water and/or man-made impoundments, watercourses, groundwater and the like. The disposition of these characteristics is typically expressed in physiographic, topographic and/or hydrologic units, such as rock formations, slopes, elevations, soil types, watersheds, surface water types, wetlands, floodplains, aquifers or aquifer recharge areas and the like.

[Amended 5-9-1995 by Ord. No. 1314]

PLAN

A draft, diagram or drawing or set therefor showing the present and proposed physical features of and improvement to land and the proposed development thereto; see also Article IV for classification and requirements of plans. The term "plan" includes profiles, cross sections and the like.

PLAN, AS-BUILT

A plan prepared by a surveyor or engineer showing dimensions and locations of all improvements as actually constructed.

PLAN, FINAL

A subdivision plan and/or land development plan prepared for official recording purposes depicting all features required in §§ 123-20 and 123-21 and all plans, documents and submissions required therein.

PLAN, IMPROVEMENTS CONSTRUCTION

A plan prepared by an engineer, architect or landscape architect, showing the construction details or streets, drains, sewers, bridges, culverts and other improvements as required by this chapter, and shall include horizontal plans, profiles and cross sections.

PLAN, LAND DEVELOPMENT

A sketch, preliminary or final plan, including written and graphic documentation, showing the provision for development of a subject tract when plans of subdivision would not be applicable.[9]

PLAN, PRELIMINARY

A subdivision and/or land development plan filed as a basis for consideration and approval prior to preparation of a final plan depicting all features required in § 123-20, including an improvements construction plan, conservation plan and all other plans, documents and submissions required therein.

PLAN, PROFILE

A plan prepared by an engineer, architect or landscape architect, showing the vertical section of the existing grade and proposed grade along the center line of any proposed street and any street appurtenances to be constructed or installed, which must include cross sections of the street and other improvements construction.

PLAN, RECORD

A final plan prepared for recording by an engineer, architect, landscape architect or surveyor, showing the ultimate width of streets, the lot lines, easements and any other relevant information pertaining to a subdivision and/or land development as required by this chapter.

PLAN, SKETCH

A schematic plan, not necessarily to exact scale, indicating topographic, vegetative and other salient existing features of a tract and its surroundings and the general layout of the proposed subdivision and/or land development in sufficient detail to allow for disclosure of all significant review matters prior to the filing of a preliminary plan for a proposed subdivision and/or land development.

PLAN, TENTATIVE

The initial plan submitted for approval for a planned residential development in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 143, Zoning, of the Code of the Township of Springfield and in accordance with the plan requirements and design standards of this chapter.

PLANTINGS, PLANTING SCREEN

Trees, shrubs and ground covers which are installed and maintained in accordance with a landscaping plan approved by the Board of Commissioners.

[Amended 5-9-1995 by Ord. No. 1314]

PLAT

A map representing a tract of land, showing the boundaries and location of individual properties and streets. A map or plan of a subdivision or land development, whether preliminary or final.

POND

A natural or artificial body of water which retains water on a year-round basis and is less than two acres in size. (The shoreline of a pond shall be measured from the spillway crest elevation rather than the permanent pool elevation should there be a difference in the two elevations.)

PRIMARY EFFECTS

Results of a direct nature which have a principal influence on a particular condition or state.

PUBLIC HEARING

A formal meeting held pursuant to public notice by the Board of Commissioners or Planning Commission, intended to inform and obtain public comment prior to taking action in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

[Added 9-12-1989 by Ord. No. 1211]

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice published once each week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Township. 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 and the second publication shall not be less than seven days from the date of the hearing.

[Amended 9-12-1989 by Ord. No. 1211]

PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY

Any street, avenue, boulevard, highway, sidewalk, alley or similar place which is owned or controlled by a governmental entity.

PUBLIC SANITARY SEWERAGE SYSTEM

Any system other than an on-lot sewage disposal system which is administered and operated by a governmental agency, authority or commission for the collection, conveyance, treatment and disposal of wastes from customers, in compliance with prevailing federal, state and municipal regulations.

PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM

Any system for water distribution and water supply, other than an on-lot water supply system, which is owned, administered and operated by an organization which is regulated by a governmental agency, authority or commission.

REAL PROPERTY

All land, whether publicly or privately owned, whether improved or not improved, with or without structures, exclusive of any areas devoted to a public right-of-way.

[Added 5-9-1995 by Ord. No. 1314]

REGULARLY SCHEDULED PUBLIC MEETING

A meeting of the Planning Commission which is open to the public and is advertised, during which various items of business are reviewed and discussed at regular, scheduled intervals throughout the year.

RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCE

Any method, process or substance whose supply is rejuvenated through natural processes and, subject to those natural processes, remains relatively constant, including, but not limited to, biomass conversion, geothermal energy, solar and wind energy and hydroelectric energy, and excluding those sources of energy used in the fission and fusion processes.

RESTRICTION

A limitation on property which may be created in a deed, lease or mortgage, through certain zoning, subdivision or other Township codes, ordinances, regulations, plans or maps or conditions of approval of an application for subdivision and/or land development.

RESTRICTIVE COVENANT

A restriction on the use and enjoyment of land usually set forth in the deed.

RESUBDIVISION

The further division of lots or the relocation of lot lines of any lot or lots within a subdivision previously made and approved or recorded; or, the alternation of any streets or the establishment of any new streets within any such subdivision. "Resubdivision" does not include conveyances made so as to combine entire existing lots by deed or other instrument.

RETENTION BASIN

A reservoir, formed from soil or other material, which is designed to retain permanently a certain amount of stormwater from a catchment area and which also may be designed to detain, temporarily additional stormwater runoff from the catchment area. Retention basins also may receive fresh water from year-round streams. Retention basins always contain water and thus may be considered man-made lakes or ponds.

REUSE

A use for an existing building or parcel or lot of land other than the use for which it was originally intended or made.

REVIEW

An examination of the sketch, preliminary and/or final plan by the Township Planning Commission, Township Engineer, other Township officials, representatives and bodies and the Board of Commissioners to determine compliance with this chapter and its regulations, design standards and all other Township ordinances, codes, regulations, plans or maps.

RIGHT-OF-WAY

A strip of land granted or reserved for public or private use.

ROAD

See "street."

SANITARY SEWAGE

Any liquid waste containing animal or vegetable matter in suspension or solution, or the water-carried waste resulting from the discharge of water closets, laundry tubs, washing machines, sinks, dishwashers or any other source of water-carried waste of human origin.

SANITARY SEWER

A pipe that conveys sanitary sewage.

SCALE

The relationship between distances on a map and the actual ground distances.

SCREENING

The use of plant materials, fencing, walls and/or earthen berms, or combinations thereof, to aid in the concealment of such features as parking areas and vehicles within them and to provide privacy between two or more different land uses or activities; or a visual and/or sound buffer or other barrier.

SECONDARY EFFECTS

Results of an indirect nature which have an influence on a particular condition or state derived from a primary effect.

SECTION

An area or tract which is part of a proposed planned residential development which will be developed according to a timetable for development over a period of years included by the applicant in the development plan.

SEDIMENT

Deposited silt or other matter that is being or has been moved from its site of origin by water or other means of erosion.

SEDIMENT BASIN

A structure designed and built to retain sediment.

SEPTIC SYSTEM

An underground system with a septic tank and filter field used for the decomposition of domestic wastes and its safe disposal.

SEPTIC TANK

A watertight receptacle that receives the discharge of sewage from a building, sewer or part thereof, and is designed and constructed so as to permit settling of solids from this liquid, digestion of the organic matter and discharge of the liquid portion into a disposal area.

SEPTIC TANK FILTER FIELD

A system of open-jointed pipes intended to distribute septic tank effluent into the ground for absorption and evaporation.

SEWAGE

The total of organic waste and wastewater generated by residential, industrial, commercial, institutional or other establishments.

SEWER

Any pipe or conduit used to collect and carry away sewage or stormwater runoff from the generating source of origin to treatment plants and to a receiving stream or other drainageway.

SEWERAGE

All effluent carried by sewers, whether it is sanitary sewage, residential, commercial or industrial wastes or stormwater runoff; or the entire system of sewage collection, conveyance, treatment and disposal.

SEWERED AREA

That portion of the Township designated in the official sewage facilities plan in which there is, or may be, constructed a public sewer system.

SHADE TREE

A woody plant, usually deciduous, which normally grows with one main trunk to a height in excess of 40 feet and has a canopy which screens and filters the sun in the summer and winter, respectively.

SHORT-TERM EFFECTS

Results which are manifest for, or extend over, a short period of time.

SIDEWALK

A paved, surfaced and leveled area, paralleling and separated from the cartway of the street, used as a pedestrian walkway.

SILT

Finely divided particles of soil or rock, often carried in cloudy suspension in water and eventually deposited as sediment.

SITE

A tract or parcel of land or combination of contiguous lots on a tract which forms an area for a development project.

SITE PLAN

Any plan for a subdivision or a land development whether sketch, preliminary, tentative or final; any plan prepared for an application for a conditional use or special exception; or any plan prepared for the purpose of obtaining a building permit, grading permit or any other permit.

SOCIAL AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS

Characteristics related to the distribution, density and vital statistics of populations.

SOIL EROSION

The detachment and movement of soil or rock fragments, or the wearing away of the land surface by water, wind and ice.

SOIL EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL PLAN

A plan and related narrative report required in accordance with this chapter for the control and mitigation of soil erosion and sedimentation.

SOIL PERCOLATION TEST

A field test in accordance with criteria of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources and the Sewage Enforcement Officer conducted to determine the suitability of the soil for on-site sewage disposal facilities by measuring the absorptive capacity of the soil at a given location and depth.

SOIL SURVEY

A report entitled "Soil Survey - Chester and Delaware Counties, Pennsylvania," published May 1963, by the United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, and updated from time to time.

SOLID WASTE

Garbage, refuse or other discarded materials including, but not limited to, nonliquid waste materials resulting from industrial, commercial, institutional, agricultural and residential activities.

SPECIMEN TREE

A shade tree or street tree.

STEEP SLOPE

The areas of land which is characterized by a change in elevation of 15% or more, but not exceeding 25% over a distance or contour.

[Amended 5-9-1995 by Ord. No. 1314]

STORM SEWER

A sewer that carries stormwater, surface water and groundwater drainage but excludes sewage and residential, commercial and industrial wastes.

STORMWATER

That water which accumulates from precipitation and is manifest in surface runoff.

STORMWATER DETENTION

Any storm drainage technique that retards or detains runoff, in rate, volume or otherwise, such as a detention or retention basin, parking lot storage, rooftop storage, porous pavement, dry well or any combination thereof.

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN

A plan for controlling surface water runoff so that it will preclude erosion or flooding and/or the adverse effects of impervious areas on surface water runoff as required by the Township ordinances, codes, regulations, plans and maps.

STREAM

A type of watercourse.

STREET

A public or privately owned right-of-way, serving as means of vehicular and pedestrian travel, used to provide space for installation of improvements such as sewers, other utilities, sidewalks, curbs and pavement.

[Amended 5-9-1995 by Ord. No. 1314]

STREET LINE

The dividing line between a lot and the outside boundary or right-of-way line of a public street, road or highway legally open or officially platted, or between a lot and a privately owned street or road.

STREET, LOCAL CUL-DE-SAC

See "cul-de-sac."

STREET, LOCAL PRIMARY

A street intended to serve a principal role in providing access to lots abutting thereon and as a means of collecting traffic from local secondary streets and gaining access to major or minor collector streets.

STREET, LOCAL SECONDARY

A street intended to serve a principal role in providing access to lots abutting thereon and to loop and cul-de-sac streets and as the means for gaining access to local primary streets.

STREET, LOOP

A local street which has its only ingress and egress at two points of the same connecting street or at one point with the connecting street, as would be the case if the loop street were in the form of a circle.

STREET, MAJOR COLLECTOR

A street intended to serve a principal role in collecting traffic from minor collectors and local streets and used primarily as the means of access for through traffic within the Township and to areas adjacent thereto, and from minor arterial or principal arterial streets.

STREET, MINOR ARTERIAL

A street intended to serve a principal role in accommodating traffic from collector streets and in carrying relatively large volumes of long-distance traffic between principal arterials and other minor arterials.

STREET, MINOR COLLECTOR

A street intended to serve a principal role in collecting traffic from local streets and used primarily as the means of access for through traffic between residential neighborhoods and other areas within the Township and to areas adjacent thereto, and from major collectors and arterials.

STREET, PRINCIPAL ARTERIAL

A street intended to serve a principal role as a limited-access highway with no grade crossings.

STREET, PRIVATE

A street not offered or required to be offered for dedication or duly accepted by the Board of Commissioners as a public street.

STREET TREE

A shade tree along a street right-of-way either existing within the right-of-way or as shall be planted adjacent to the right-of-way as provided in § 123-39, Landscaping requirements.

[Amended 11-10-1998 by Ord. No. 1346]

STRIPPING

Cutting or any other activity which removes the vegetative surface cover, such as tree removal, clearing, grubbing and removal of topsoil.

STRUCTURAL ALTERATION

Any change in or addition to the supporting or structural members of a building or other structure, such as the bearing walls, partitions, columns, beams or girders or any change which could convert an existing building or other structure into a different structure or adapt it to a different use.

STRUCTURE

Any man-made object or improvement having an ascertainable stationary location on land or in the water, whether or not affixed to the land.

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 devisees, conveyance or other 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 any residential dwelling, shall be exempted.

[Amended 9-12-1989 by Ord. No. 1211]

SUBDIVISION PLAN

A sketch, preliminary or final plan showing the provision for the development of a tract of land.

[Amended 5-9-1995 by Ord. No. 1314]

SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETED

The degree of completion of improvements where, in the judgment of the Township Engineer, at least 90% (based on the cost of the required improvements for which financial security is posted) of those improvements required as a condition for final approval have been completed in accordance with the approval plan, so that a project will be able to be used, occupied or operated for its intended use.

SURVEYOR

A design professional duly registered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to practice surveying.

SWALE

An elongated depression in the ground which collects and channels surface water runoff.

TOWNSHIP ENGINEER

An engineer duly appointed by the Township, or a firm of such engineers employed by the Township or retained as a consultant thereto.

TRACT

A lot which is the subject of a subdivision and/or land development application.

TRANSPORTATION (CIRCULATION)

A system for the movement of people or goods, including conveyors, such as streets and highways, accessory facilities, such as parking facilities and driveways, and attributes of conveyance, such as traffic volumes, trip generation and traffic controls.

TREE MASS

A natural contiguous grouping of trees.

USE

The specific purpose for which land or a building is proposed to be subdivided and/or developed or is otherwise designed, arranged, intended or for which it is proposed or may be occupied or maintained.

UTILITIES

Facilities such as sewers, water mains, fire hydrants, streetlights and other facilities of the same general character and installations of a community which pertain to their consumption and emission characteristics, including facilities such as those used for water supply, sewage disposal, refuse disposal, storm drainage, communications and electrical transmission.[10]

VERY STEEP SLOPE(S)

The area of land which is characterized by a change in elevation of 25% or more over a specified distance or contour.

[Amended 5-9-1995 by Ord. No. 1314]

VISUAL RESOURCES

Characteristics of the natural and/or cultural environment which are visible. The visual resources of a particular area are typically expressed in terms of their visibility, character and/or attractiveness relative to their amenity value and/or quality, or lack of it.

WAIVER

A written request by a landowner and/or developer to the Board of Commissioners seeking a relinquishment of a requirement of this chapter or the relinquishment of a requirement of this chapter by the Board of Commissioners as provided for in §§ 123-3B and 123-54.

WALKWAY

A thoroughfare for pedestrian travel.

WATERCOURSE

A stream with year-round or substantially year-round flow such as a creek, run or other body of running water.

WATER SURVEY

An inventory of the source, quantity, yield and the use of groundwater and surface water resources within the Township.

[Added 9-12-1989 by Ord. No. 1211]

ZONING ORDINANCE

The Springfield Township Zoning Ordinance, as amended, Chapter 143 from the Code of the Township of Springfield.

[1] Editor's Note: Said form is on file in the Township offices.

[2] Editor's Note: The former definitions of "buffer area" and "buffer planting strip," which immediately followed this definition, were repealed 5-9-1995 by Ord. No. 1314.

[3] Editor's Note: See now 68 Pa.C.S.A. § 3101 et seq.

[4] Editor's Note: The Flood Hazard District Map is on file in the Township offices.

[5] Editor's Note: The Flood Hazard District Map is on file in the Township offices.

[6] Editor's Note: The former definition of "landscaped area or landscaped buffer," which immediately followed this definition, was repealed 5-9-1995 by Ord. No. 1314.

[7] Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed the former definition of "lot, interior," which immediately followed this definition.

[8] Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 750.1 et seq.

[9] Editor's Note: The former definition of "planned residential development," which immediately followed this definition, was repealed 5-9-1995 by Ord. No. 1314.

[10] Editor's Note: The former definition of "variance," which immediately followed this definition, was repealed 5-9-1995 by Ord. No. 1314.

B. Words not defined above shall have the meanings given in the Municipalities Planning Code, Chapter 143, Zoning, of the Code of the Township of Springfield or other Township codes and ordinances and, if not defined in the aforementioned documents, the most recent edition of Webster's Unabridged Dictionary.

[Amended 9-12-1989 by Ord. No. 1211]