When used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings herein ascribed to them, unless the context clearly requires otherwise. In the case of any difference of meaning between the text of this chapter and any caption or illustration, the text shall control.
ACCESSORY BUILDING. A detached, one-story, covered structure designed to provide enclosed storage or a screened or unscreened sitting area in the Steep Slope Zone.
BLUFF. An elevated segment of the Lake Michigan shoreline above the beach which normally has a precipitous front inclining steeply on the lakeward side.
CANTILEVER. Any portion of a principal structure that extends laterally beyond the foundation that supports it.
CODE OFFICIAL. The code official shall be the Building Commissioner.
DEVELOPMENT. Any man-made change (other than minor common maintenance of existing structures, paved areas, or utilities) to improved or unimproved real estate, including without limitation the construction or installation of new, or enlargement or demolition of existing, structures, paved areas, or utilities; dredging, filling, drilling, mining, grading, paving, or excavation operations; and open storage of equipment or materials.
RAVINE. A deep gully or gorge worn by the flow of water to Lake Michigan. In this chapter, all references to ravine shall refer that portion of the Skokie Ditch located east of Sheridan Road and north of Kenilworth Avenue.
STEEP SLOPE. Land comprising or adjacent to a lake bluff or ravine where the slope in ascent or descent exceeds 10% from the horizontal.
STEEP SLOPE LINE. A line representing the intersection of the tableland and the steep slope. This line is commonly indicated on plats of survey or other documents as the TOP OF BLUFF.
STEEP SLOPE ZONE.
(1) In the case of a ravine, that portion of a lot that includes the steep slope of the ravine and lies between the bottom of the ravine and a line drawn ten
feet behind the steep slope line at the top edge of the ravine and away from the bottom of the ravine. For the purposes of this chapter, the RAVINE means the Skokie Ditch east of Sheridan Road. The STEEP SLOPE ZONE shall include all retaining walls located between the bottom of the ravine and the steep slope line.
(2) In the case of a bluff, that portion of a lot that includes the steep slope and lies between the
water’s edge of Lake Michigan and a line drawn 35 feet behind the steep slope line at the top edge of the bluff and away from the bottom of the bluff. The STEEP SLOPE ZONE shall include all retaining walls located between Lake Michigan and the steep slope line.
TABLELAND. Land at the top of a bluff or ravine where the cross slope in any direction does not exceed 10%.
(Ord. 1163, passed 1214-2015)
Figure 154 - 1. Illustration of defined terms for Ravine
Figure 154— 2 Illustration of defined terms for Bluff Steep Slope Zone
(Ord. 1163, passed 12-14-2015)