(A) The following general rules of construction shall apply to the regulations of this chapter.
(1) The singular number includes the plural, and the plural includes the singular, unless the context clearly indicates the contrary.
(2) Words used in the present tense include the past and future tenses, and the future includes the present.
(3) The word
SHALL is always mandatory; the word MAY is permissive.
(4) The word
PUBLIC means open to common use, whether or not public ownership is involved.
(5) Words and terms not defined herein shall be interpreted in accord with their normal dictionary meaning and customary usage.
(B) For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ALLEY. Narrow public thoroughfare, not exceeding 16 feet in width, which provides a secondary means of vehicular access to abutting properties and which is not intended for general circulation.
BUILDING LINE. Line within a lot, so designated on a plat of subdivision, between which line and the street line of any abutting street no building or structure may be erected.
COLLECTOR STREET. Street which is intended to collect traffic from the minor streets within a neighborhood or a portion thereof and to distribute the traffic to major thoroughfares, in addition to providing access to properties abutting thereon.
CROSSWALKWAY. Public way that is intended for pedestrian use and excludes motor vehicles and which cuts across a block in order to furnish improved access to adjacent streets or properties.
CUL-DE-SAC. Minor street having but one end open for vehicular traffic and with the other end permanently terminated by a turnaround or back-around for vehicles.
EASEMENT. Strip of land for which the owner grants a right of use to someone else for one or more designated purposes, which purposes are consistent with the general property rights of the owner.
ENGINEER. Town Engineer, who shall be the Resident Engineer of the State Highway Administration, or some other qualified civil engineer designated by the Mayor and Council.
HEALTH OFFICER. Health Officer of the county.
LOT. Portion of a subdivision or other parcel of land intended for the purpose of building development, whether immediate or future.
LOT AREA. Total horizontal area within the lot lines of the lot.
LOT DEPTH. The average horizontal distance between the front and rear lot lines.
LOT LINE. Boundary line of the lot.
LOT WIDTH. Horizontal distance between the side lot lines, which is measured at the required building setback line.
MAJOR THOROUGHFARE. Street or highway so designated on the transportation plan for the town.
MINOR STREET. Street other than a major thoroughfare or collector street and intended primarily for providing access to abutting properties.
PLANNING COMMISSION. Town Planning Commission.
REGULATIONS. Whole body of regulations, tests, charts, diagrams, notations, and references contained or referred to in this chapter.
ROADWAY. Portion of a street or highway available for and intended for use by motor vehicle traffic.
SERVICE DRIVE. Minor street which is parallel to and adjacent to a major thoroughfare and which provides access to abutting properties and restricts access to the major thoroughfare.
STREET. Public or private thoroughfare which affords the principal means of access to abutting properties, whether designated as a freeway, expressway, highway, road, avenue, boulevard, lane, place, or circle, or however otherwise designated.
STREET LINE. Dividing line separating a lot, tract, or parcel of land and a contiguous street, and also referred to as a RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE.
SUBDIVIDER. Person, individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation, estate, trust, or any other group or combination acting as a unit which is dividing or proposing to divide land so as to constitute a subdivision as defined herein and including any agent of the subdivider.
SUBDIVISION.
(a) Division of any tract or parcel of land into two or more plots, parcels, lots, or sites for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of transfer of ownership or of building development.
(b) The term shall include resubdivision and, where appropriate to the context, shall relate to the process of subdividing or to the land subdivided.
(Prior Code, § 148-3) (Ord. passed 5-3-1975)