ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER: That person designated by the City Administrator as the officer responsible for the administration and enforcement of this title.
ALLEY: A way which affords a secondary means of access to abutting property.
BLOCK: An area of land within a subdivision that is entirely bounded by streets, railroad rights-of-way, rivers, tracts of public land or the boundary of the subdivision.
BOUNDARY LINE ADJUSTMENT: An adjustment of lot or parcel lines between owners of contiguous officially platted lots or parcels where no more than the same number of lots or parcels, or fewer numbers of lots or parcels, exist after the adjustment. A boundary line adjustment also includes the removal of internal or common boundary lines to consolidate two (2) or more lots or parcels having common ownership into one (1).
BUILDING PERMIT: A document issued under the authority of the City building official which authorizes the construction of a structure on a lot.
COMMISSION: The Mason City Planning and Zoning Commission.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: The Mason City Comprehensive Plan, as adopted and as amended from time to time.
COUNCIL: The Council of the City of Mason City, Iowa.
CUL-DE-SAC: A street having one (1) end connecting to another street, and the other end terminated by a vehicular turnaround.
DEDICATION OF PLAT: A document, submitted for recording with the final plat, which sets out the legal description of the property platted, contains a signed and properly acknowledged statement that the plat is made with the free consent and in accordance with the desires of the owner, dedicates street and other public property and easements, and may include private restrictions or covenants.
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE: The committee authorized to complete concept review of a plat of subdivision, per title 12, chapter 7 of this Code.
EASEMENT: An authorization by a property owner for another to use a designated part of the property for a specified purpose.
FRONTAGE: That side of a lot abutting on a street and regarded as the front of the lot.
IMPROVEMENTS: Changes to land necessary to prepare it for building sites, including, but not limited to, grading, filling, street paving, curb paving, sidewalks, walkways, water mains, sewers, drainageways and other public works and appurtenances.
LOT: A portion of a subdivision or other parcel or tract intended as a unit for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of transfer of ownership or for building development.
LOT, CORNER: A lot situated at the intersection of two (2) streets.
LOT, DOUBLE FRONTAGE: Any lot which is not a corner lot which abuts two (2) streets.
LOT SPLIT: The division of a single parcel into two (2) lots, each sufficiently sized for development.
OWNER: The legal entity holding title to the property being subdivided, or such representative or agent as is fully empowered to act on its behalf.
PLAT: A map, drawing or chart on which a subdivider's plan for the subdivision of land is presented, which he submits for approval and intends, in final form, to record.
PLAT OF SURVEY: The graphical representation of a survey of one (1) or more parcels of land, including a complete and accurate description of each parcel within the plat, prepared by a registered land surveyor.
PRIVATE RESTRICTIONS OR COVENANTS: Contracts or agreements entered into between private parties and which constitute a restriction on the use of all private property within a subdivision for the benefit of property owners, and to provide mutual protection against undesirable aspects of development which would tend to impair stability of values.
PUBLIC WAY: A right-of-way across or within a block for use by the public.
STREET: Public or private property, not an alley, intended for vehicular circulation. In appropriate context, the term "street" may refer to the right-of-way bounded by the property lines of such property or may refer to the paving installed within such right-of-way.
STREET, ARTERIAL: A street primarily intended to carry traffic from one part of the City to another and not intended to provide access to abutting property.
STREET, COLLECTOR: A low to moderate capacity street which serves to move traffic from minor streets to major or arterial streets.
STREET, MAJOR: A street which has or is planned to have continuity to carry traffic from one section of the City to another.
STREET, MINOR: A street of limited continuity used primarily for access to abutting properties and the local needs of a neighborhood.
SUBDIVIDER: The owner of the property being subdivided, or such other person or entity empowered to act on the owner's behalf.
SUBDIVISION: The division of land into three (3) or more parts for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of transfer of ownership or building development. The term, when appropriate to the context, may refer to the process of subdividing or to land subdivided. However, the sale or exchange of small parcels of land to or between the owners of adjacent platted lots, where such sale or exchange does not create any additional lots, shall not be considered a subdivision.
SUBDIVISION, MAJOR: All subdivisions not classified as minor subdivisions, including any size subdivision requiring any new street or extension of the local government facilities, or the creation of any public improvements.
SUBDIVISION, MINOR: Any subdivision which contains not more than four (4) lots fronting on an existing street, not involving any new street or road, or the extension of Municipal facilities or the creation of any public improvements, and not adversely affecting the remainder of the parcel or adjoining property, and not in conflict with any provision or portion of the Comprehensive Plan, zoning map, zoning title or these regulations.
SUBDIVISION PLAT: The graphical representation of a subdivision of land, prepared by a registered land surveyor, having a number or letter designation for each lot within the plat and a succinct name or title that is unique for the County where the land is located.
SUBDIVISION, PREMATURE: Any subdivision that is not served by Municipal utilities and/or does not comprise all or a portion of an existing or planned neighborhood, as specified in section 11-1-5 of this title.
SURVEYOR'S CERTIFICATE: A document, signed, sealed and dated by a registered land surveyor, which contains the legal description of the property and a statement by the registered land surveyor that the plat was prepared by the surveyor or under the surveyor's direct personal supervision.
UTILITIES: Systems for the distribution or collection of water, gas, wastewater, stormwater, electricity, digital communications and telephone and cable television service. (Ord. 15-3, 6-2-2015)