For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning. Illustrations and diagrams provide graphic representation of the concept of a definition. The illustration or diagram is not to be construed or interpreted as a definition itself.
ACCESS. The way by which vehicles shall have ingress to and egress from a land parcel or property and the street fronting along the property or parcel.
ALLEY. Any public right-of-way which has been dedicated or deeded to and accepted by the public for public use as a secondary means of public access to a lot otherwise abutting upon a public street and not intended for traffic other than public services and circulation to and from the lot.
APPLICANT. The owner(s) or representative of owner(s), legal and equitable, of land within the territorial limits of the city who submit an application for review under the terms of this chapter.
BOARD. The City Board of Public Works and Safety.
BOND. Any form of security including cash, surety bond, or financial instrument of credit, as approved by the Board.
BLOCK. A tract of land bounded by a street or streets and any combination of boundary lines of public or institutionally owned lands, railroad right-of-way, natural features, or other lines of demarcation.
BUILDING. Any structure designed or intended for the support, enclosure, shelter, or protection of persons, animals, or property of any kind, having a permanent roof supported by columns or walls.
BUILDING SETBACK LINE. The line delineating the area of a lot in which no permanent structure shall be constructed or located.
CITY. The City of East Chicago, Indiana.
COMMISSION. The Plan Commission of the city.
COMMITMENT. An officially recorded agreement concerning and running with the land, as recorded in the County Recorder’s office.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. The city comprehensive (master) plan.
CONDITION. An official agreement between city and the applicant concerning the use or development of the land as specified in a Commission or Council approval.
COUNCIL. The Common Council of the city.
COVENANT. A legal agreement concerning the use of land.
CUL-DE-SAC. See STREET, CUL-DE-SAC.
DEVELOPER. The owner of land proposed to be subdivided, or his or her representative.
EASEMENT. A grant by a property owner to the general public, a public utility, a drainage or other district, or a private party, for the use of land for a specifically stated purpose.
FRONT LOT LINE. See LOT LINE, FRONT.
FRONTAGE. The length along the street right-of-way line of a single lot, tract, or development area between the lot lines of the property. It is that side of a lot abutting a street, generally regarded as the front of the lot.
GRADE. Percentage of slope.
IMPROVEMENT. Any alteration to the land or other physical construction associated with subdivision and site development.
INFRASTRUCTURE. The fixed public works and facilities necessary in a community, such as sewers, water systems, streets, sidewalks, street lights, and the like.
INTERESTED PARTIES. Those parties identified as requiring notice under the rules of procedure of the Plan Commission.
LOT. Per the subdivision regulations only, the portion of a subdivision proposed to be recorded as a lot of record for the plat.
LOT, DOUBLE FRONTAGE. A lot, other than a corner lot, which fronts on two streets.
LOT LINE. The legal boundary of a lot as recorded in the County Recorder’s office.
LOT LINE, FRONT. The lot line coinciding with the street right-of-way, in the case of a corner lot, both lot lines coinciding with the street right-of-way shall be considered front lot lines.
LOT OF RECORD. A lot which is part of a subdivision or a lot or a parcel recorded in the County Recorder’s office with a metes and bounds description.
LOT, THROUGH. A lot abutting two parallel streets, or abutting two streets which do not intersect at the boundaries of the lot.
MODEL HOME. A dwelling unit used initially for display purposes which typifies the type of units that will be constructed in the subdivision.
MONUMENT. Any permanent marker used to identify the boundary lines of any tract, parcel, lot, or street line.
OUTLOT. A nonbuildable lot which is to be excluded from the development because of its potential for some other use.
OWNER. A person, firm, business entity or any other legal entity having legal title to the land sought to be subdivided under these regulations.
PLAN COMMISSION. The City Plan Commission.
PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT. The PUD zoning classification provided for in the municipal code.
PLAT. The drawing on which the subdivider’s plan of subdivision is presented for approval and submitted for recording.
PUBLIC UTILITY. An entity authorized to furnish electricity, gas, steam, communication service, cable television, transportation, drainage, sewer, water, or other public services.
REGISTERED ENGINEER. An engineer who is licensed in compliance with the laws of the state.
REGISTERED LAND SURVEYOR. A surveyor who is licensed in compliance with the laws of the state.
REPLAT. The process of allowing for an adjustment of a lot line or lines or easements, as shown on a recorded subdivision.
RE-RECORDING. The process allowing for an adjustment of an easement or correction of a drafting or typographical error.
RIGHT-OF-WAY. A strip of land occupied or intended for occupancy by transportation facilities, public utilities, or other special public uses. RIGHTS-OF-WAY intended for use involving maintenance by a public agency shall be dedicated to public use by the subdivider.
SECONDARY PLAT. A map indicating the subdivision of land, intended to be recorded and prepared in accordance with these regulations. Also known as a FINAL PLAT.
SETBACK. The minimum horizontal distance established by ordinance between a proposed right-of-way line or a lot line and the setback line.
SKETCH PLAN. A plan, which may be drawn as a freehand pen or pencil sketch, without precise dimensions or sheet size, used to show the Commission the location, proposed street and lot layout, and other significant features of a proposed subdivision.
STAFF. The staff members of the City Department of Business Development and Planning.
STREET. A right-of-way which affords the principal means of access to abutting properties or to other streets. A STREET may be designated as a highway, thoroughfare, parkway, boulevard, road, avenue, drive, or other appropriate name. A STREET may also be identified according to type of use as follows:
STREET, ARTERIAL. A street designated or used primarily for heavy, fast moving through traffic.
STREET, COLLECTOR. A street which carries traffic from local streets to major arterial streets and vice versa.
STREET, LOCAL. A street intended primarily to provide access to abutting properties.
STRUCTURE. Anything constructed or erected with permanent location on the ground or anything permanently attached to something having a permanent location on the ground.
SUBDIVIDER. Any person who undertakes the subdivision or resubdivision of land. The person may be the owner or the authorized agent of the owner of the land to be subdivided.
SUBDIVISION. A lot, tract, or parcel of land of one or more lots or other divisions of land for the purpose, immediate or future, of transfer of ownership or development, including any plat or plan which may include the creation of any part of one or more streets, public easements, or other rights-of-way, whether public or private, for access to or from the lots, and/or including the creation of new or enlarged parks, playgrounds, plazas, or open spaces. SUBDIVISION includes the resubdivision of one or more lots in a subdivision previously made and recorded.
THOROUGHFARE. An arterial street.
THROUGH LOT. A lot abutting two or more parallel streets or abutting two streets which do not intersect at the boundaries of the lot.
THROUGHWALK. A public right-of-way located across a block to provide pedestrian access to adjacent streets or areas.
TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES. All signs, signals, markings, and devices placed or erected by authority of the city or the state for the purpose of regulating, warning, or guiding traffic.
VARIANCE. A modification of the strict terms of this chapter, where the modification will not be contrary to the public interest and where, owing to conditions peculiar to the property and not the result of action or inaction of the applicant, subdivider, or owner, a literal enforcement of this chapter would result in unnecessary and undue hardship. VARIANCES in subdivision regulations are granted solely by the Commission.
YARD. A space on the same lot with a principal building that is open and unobstructed by structures except as otherwise authorized herein.
YARD, BACK. A yard extending across the full width of a lot and bounded on the rear by the rear lot line, the depth of which is the least distance between the rear lot line and the rear of the principal building.
YARD, FRONT. A yard extending across the full width of the lot unoccupied other than by steps, walks, terraces, driveways, lamp posts, and similar structures, but not including porches or decks, the depth of which is the least distance between the front lot line and the front line of the building.
YARD, SIDE. A yard between the principal building and the adjacent side lot line, that extends from the front yard to the rear yard, the width of which is the least distance between the side lot line and the adjacent side of the building.
(Prior Code, § 155.020) (Ord. 0-98-0026, passed 12-21-1998)