(a) In General. The following rules shall apply throughout these Subdivision Regulations:
(1) Words used in the singular include the plural.
(2) Words used in the present tense include the future tense.
(3) The word "shall" is mandatory and the word "may" is permissive.
(b) Specific Terms. Throughout these Subdivision Regulations, the following terms shall have the meaning given herein:
(1) "Applicant" is the owner of the land proposed to be subdivided or his or her representative. The authority of the representative shall be established to the satisfaction of the City Manager. Consent to subdivide shall be required from the legal owner of the premises.
(2) "Block" is all that part of one side of a street which is between two intersecting streets.
(3) "Bond" is any form of security, including a cash deposit, surety bond, collateral, property or instrument of credit, in an amount and form satisfactory to the City Manager and the Law Director.
(4) "Building setback line" is a line, established by the Zoning Code, parallel to the right-of-way, within which no building may be located.
(5) "Construction plans" are the maps or drawings accompanying a subdivision plat and showing the specific location and design of improvements to be installed in the subdivision.
(6) "Cul-de-sac" is a local street having one end open to vehicular traffic and the other end permanently terminated by a vehicular turn-around.
(7) "Dead-end street" is a street temporarily having only one outlet for vehicular traffic and intended to be extended or continued in the future.
(8) "Development Engineer" is the engineer or engineering firm designated by the City Manager with the responsibility and authority for the administration and enforcement of these Subdivision Regulations as set forth herein. Said engineer or his or her designee shall act on behalf of the City of Geneva in the review of plats and construction improvement plans, field inspections and other duties as set forth in these Regulations.
(9) "Easement" is a grant of the use of land for a specific purpose.
(10) "Frontage" is that portion of a lot abutting on a dedicated right-of-way.
(11) "Improvements" are grading, sanitary and storm sewers, water mains, pavement, curbs and gutters, sidewalks, street signs, street lights, street trees and the appropriate appurtenances required to render land suitable for the use proposed.
(12) "Lot" or "parcel" is a division of land separated, or proposed to be separated, from other divisions of land by description on a recorded subdivision plat or recorded survey map, or by metes and bounds, for purposes, whether immediate or future, of sale, lease, separate use or building development.
(13) "Corner lot" is a lot at the point of intersection of and abutting on two intersecting streets.
(14) "Double frontage lot" is a lot, other than a corner lot, that abuts more than one street.
(15) "Lot lines" are the boundaries of a lot.
(16) "Minor subdivision" is a division of a parcel of land along an existing public street or road not involving the opening, widening or extension of any street or road and involving no more than five lots without a plat from the original tract as that original tract exists on the effective date of the amendment to the subdivision rules.
(17) "Pedestrian walkway" is a dedicated public right-of-way limited to pedestrian use.
(18) "Planning Commission" or "Commission" is the City Planning Commission of the City of Geneva.
(19) "Plat" is a final map of all or a portion of a subdivision which, if approved, may be recorded.
(20) "Preliminary plan" is a drawing for the purpose of study of a major subdivision, which drawing, if approved, permits proceeding with the preparation of the final plat.
(21) "Public improvement" is any drainage ditch, roadway, parkway, sidewalk, pedestrianway, tree lawn, off-street parking area, lot improvement or other facility for which the City of Geneva may ultimately assume the responsibility for operation and maintenance or which may affect an improvement for which the City is responsible.
(22) "Public utility" is any person, firm, corporation, governmental agency or board having a public utility commission permit to furnish to the public, under regulations, electricity, gas, steam, telephone, transportation, water or any other similar public utility.
(23) "Right-of-way" is a strip of land occupied or intended to be occupied by a street, crosswalk, walkway or other public improvement relating to public travel or access.
(24) "Secretary" is the Secretary of the Planning Commission.
(25) "Street" is a public or private right-of-way for vehicular and pedestrian use.
(26) "Subdivider" is any individual, firm, association, corporation, trust or other legal entity, including agents, commencing proceedings under these Regulations to subdivide land.
(27) "Subdivision" is:
A. The division of any parcel of land, shown as a unit or as contiguous units on the last preceding tax roll, into two or more parcels, sites or lots, any one of which is less than five acres, for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of transfer of ownership, provided that the division or partition of land into parcels of more than five acres not involving any new streets or easements of access, and the sale or exchange of parcels between adjoining lot owners where such sale or exchange does not create additional building sites, shall be exempted.
B. The improvement of one or more parcels of land for residential, commercial or industrial structures or groups of structures involving the division or allocation of land for the opening, widening or extension of any street or streets, except private streets, serving industrial structures.
C. The division or allocation of land as open spaces for common use by owners, occupants or lease holders or as easements for the extension and maintenance of public sewer, water, storm drainage or other public facilities.
(Ord. 2381. Passed 11-22-93; Ord. 2910. Passed 7-24-06.)