For the purpose of this chapter the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
"APPLICANT." The person or persons seeking approval to subdivide or develop a parcel, including the owner of record, contract purchaser, developers, other persons having interest in the parcel and their successors.
"BLOCK." A tract of land bounded by streets, or by combination of streets and public parks, cemeteries, railroad right-of-ways, or other lines of demarcation. A block may be located in part beyond the corporate limits of the village.
"BOARD OF TRUSTEES." The Board of Trustees for the village.
"BUILDING" or "STRUCTURE." Any covered structure built for the support, shelter, or enclosure of persons, animals, or movable property of any kind, and which is affixed permanently to the ground.
"BUILDING SETBACK LINE." A line within a lot or other parcel of land which denotes an area between that line and the adjacent street right-of-way line where a building or any other obstructions that are prohibited except those encroachments that are permitted by the zoning regulations.
"CHANNEL." The bed where natural stream of water flows (watercourse).
"COLLECTOR STREET." See "STREETS COLLECTOR".
"COMMON OPEN SPACE." Privately-held land unoccupied by structures, building, streets, right-of-way, and automobile parking lots, and designed and intended for the use and enjoyment of residents of a planned unit development; may contain structures for recreational use, and upon approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission and Village Board, may also be used in part for water detention purposes.
"COMPREHENSIVE PLAN." The "official comprehensive plan" of the village as outlined by Chapter 157 of the Codified Ordinances of the village.
"CUL-DE-SAC." A minor street with a single outlet, and permanently terminated by a vehicle turnaround.
"DEVELOP" or "DEVELOPMENT."
(1) Any constructed change to real estate including:
(a) Construction, reconstruction, repair, or replacement of a building or an addition to a building;
(b) Installing a manufactured home on a site, preparing a site for a manufactured home, or installing a travel trailer or recreational vehicle on a site for more than 180 days. If the travel trailer or recreational vehicle is on-site for less than 180 days, it must be fully licensed and ready for highway use;
(c) Drilling, mining, installing utilities, construction of roads, bridges or similar projects;
(d) Construction or erection of levees, walls, fences, dams, or culverts, channel modifications, filling, dredging, grading, excavating, paving, or other non-agricultural alterations of the ground surface, storage materials, deposit of solids or liquid waste;
(e) Any other activity of man that might change the direction, height, or velocity of flood or surface water, including extensive vegetation removal;
(g) Any construction activity taking place in public right-of-way or on public property.
(2) The following are not considered development: maintenance of existing buildings and facilities such as reroofing or resurfacing of roads with an impervious surface when there is no increase in elevation or lot coverage.
"DEVELOPER." The applicant or petitioner for a development plan including any person, firm, or corporation having a freehold interest, a possessory interest entitle to exclusive possession, a contractual interest which may become a freehold interest, an option to purchase, or any exclusive possessory interest so as to commence and maintain proceedings under the provisions of this chapter.
"DEVELOPMENT SECURITY." An instrument of security, drawn upon a financial institution in favor of the village in the amount of 125% of the estimated improvements that guarantees the proper construction and installation of the public improvements being proposed within the subdivision and/or development. Such instrument may include a letter of credit, bond, cash, or other instrument approved by the village.
"DRAINAGE COURSE." A watercourse or indenture for the drainage of surface water.
"DRIVEWAY." A private access-way for motor vehicles between a public or private street and one or more structures or off-street parking areas.
"EASEMENT." A quantity of land set aside over or under which the liberty, privilege and access to the land, is granted either to public utilities, government, a particular person, or a combination of all for the installation and maintenance of said utilities.
"FINAL PLAT." A final drawing platting a subdivision and/or development, and any accompanying material, as described in this chapter.
"FIRE LANE." Shall be established in Chapter 91 of the Codified Ordinances of the village.
"FLOOD PLAIN AREA." A continuous area adjacent to a stream, its tributaries or any stormwater retention area, whose elevation is equal to or lower than the flood crest elevation, including also land having an elevation higher than flood crest elevations, but less than ten acres in area and surrounded by land in a flood plain area or an area of such elevation secured by land fill, projecting into a flood plain area. Any point shall be deemed to be within the flood plain area if it falls below the elevation of a high water mark, as the elevation of the mark is projected in horizontal directions perpendicular to the flow of the stream and thence to the intersections at an equal elevation with the land on either side of the stream. Any point between the afore described projections of any two high water marks shall be deemed with the flood plain area if it is at an elevation equal to or lower than similar projections of the interpolated flood crest elevations. The interpolated flood crest is the calculated elevation of the flood crest at the centerline of the stream between two known flood crests of the nearest upstream and downstream high water marks; and the difference in elevation between the flood crest at this location and at either of the high-water mark projections is directly proportional to the difference in stream centerline distance between the two high water mark projections is directly proportional to the difference in stream centerline distance between the two high water mark projections.
"FRONTAGE ROAD." A minor road which is parallel to, and either adjacent to or within, the right-of-way of a thoroughfare.
"LAND IMPROVEMENT." Any sanitary sewerage system, storm sewer system, water supply and distribution system, roadway, side-stripe, sidewalk, pedestrian way, no-access strip, off-street parking, lot grading, or other improvement which the village may require under this chapter.
"LOT." A parcel of land legally described and subdivided as a single lot, occupied or intended for occupancy by one principal building together with its accessory structures and uses, including the yards required by the zoning ordinance, and having a frontage on a public or private street or easement, except that a planned development may have two or more principal buildings which need not front on a street or easement.
"LOT AREA." The area of a horizontal plane bounded by the front, side, and rear lot lines.
"LOT, BUTT." A lot at the end of a block and located between two corner lots.
"LOT, CORNER." A lot which adjoins the point of intersection of two or more streets in which the interior angle formed by the street lines is 135 degrees or less. If the street lines are curved, the angle shall be measured at the point of the intersection of the extensions of the street lines in the direction they take at the intersection of the street line with the side lot line and rear lot line of the lot. If the street is curved at its point of intersection with the side lot or rear lot line, the tangent to the curve at that point shall be considered the direction of the street.
"LOT DEPTH." The distance between the midpoint of the front lot line and the midpoint of the rear lot line.
"LOT, DOUBLE FRONTAGE." A lot having a pair of opposite lot lines along two more or less parallel streets, and which is not a corner lot. A double frontage lot is also known as a "through lot".
"LOT FRONTAGE." The front boundary of a lot along a public or private street.
"LOT INTERIOR." A lot other than a corner lot.
"LOT LINES." The property lines bounding a lot, which include the following:
(1) "FRONT LOT LINE." That boundary of lot which adjoins a street.
(2) "INTERIOR LOT LINE." A lot line which does not abut a street.
(3) "REAR LOT LINE." That boundary of a lot which is most distant from and is, or almost nearly is, parallel to the front lot line. In the case of an irregular, triangular, or gore-shaped lot, parallel to and at maximum distance from the front lot line.
(4) "SIDE LOT LINE." A lot line other than front or rear lot line.
"LOT OF RECORD." A lot which is part of a subdivision and/or development, the plat of which has been recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds of the county, or a parcel of land the deed of which was recorded in the Recorder of Deeds office prior to the effective date of the chapter.
"LOT, REVERSED CORNER." A corner lot, the rear lot line of which adjoins upon the side lot line of another lot.
"LOT, THROUGH." See "LOT, DOUBLE FRONTAGE."
"LOT WIDTH." The minimum horizontal distance between the lot lines of a lot measured along the front building line, as provided in the zoning ordinance.
"MAJOR STREET." See "STREET, MAJOR."
"MEDIAN." An area between opposite traffic lanes of a street or roadway or an area between a street or roadway.
"MINOR STREET." See "STREET, MINOR."
"NO ACCESS STRIP." A strip of land within and along a lot line adjoining a street, which is designated on a recorded subdivision plat and/or development plan, property deed, which motor vehicular travel shall not be permitted.
"OFFICIAL MAP." The Official Map of the village.
"OWNER OR SUBDIVIDER." The applicant or petitioner for a subdivision and/or development, including any person, firm or corporation having a freehold interest which may become a freehold interest, an option to purchase, or any exclusive possessory interest so as to commence and maintain proceedings under the provisions of this chapter.
"PARKWAY." The unpaved strip of land situated within the dedicated right-of-way and located between the roadway and the right-of-way line or between the back of the curb and the right-of-way lines.
"PEDESTRIAN WAY." An area which is used or intended to be used by pedestrians only, and is located within a right-of-way, easement, or other permanently dedicated areas.
"PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT." A lot, tract, or parcel of land which is developed as a unit under single ownership or unified control, which includes one or more principal buildings or uses, and is processed under the planned unit development procedure of the zoning ordinance.
"PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION." The Planning & Zoning Commission for the village.
"PRELIMINARY PLAN." A map or plan depicting a tentative land plan as described in this chapter.
"PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT." Includes interior streets, exterior streets, sidewalks, sanitary sewers, storm sewers, water mains, improved drainage ways, bridges, railroad crossings, utility poles, and other structures, fixtures, or land appurtenances which are or are intended to be dedicated to the village and public generally.
"PUBLIC OPEN SPACE." Any publicly owned open area, including, but not limited to the following: parks, playgrounds, forest preserves, beaches, waterways, parkways, streets, and golf courses.
"PUBLIC UTILITY." Any person, firm, corporation, or public agency duly authorized to furnish under public regulations to the public, electricity, gas steam, telephone, sanitary sewers, storm sewers, cable television, transportation, or water services.
"RAILROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY." A strip of land with tracks and auxiliary facilities for track operation, but not including depot loading platforms, stations, train sheds, warehouses, car shops, car yards, locomotive shops, water towers, and the like.
"RIGHT-OF-WAY." A strip of land used or intended for use by a street, pedestrian way, electric, railroad, gas or telephone transmission line, cable television, water main, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, or drainage way.
"RIGHT-OF-WAY WIDTH." The shortest distance between the right-of-way lines.
"ROADWAY." See "STREET".
"ROADWAY WIDTH." See "STREET WIDTH".
"SCREENING." Decorative fencing or evergreen vegetation maintained for the purpose of concealing from view the area behind the fencing or evergreen vegetation, and regulated in § 159.025.
"SIDEWALK, PUBLIC." That portion of a street right-of-way which is used or intended to be used as a pedestrian way.
"STREET." That portion of a right-of-way which affords primary means of access by pedestrians and vehicles to abutting properties, whether designated as a street, avenue, roadway, boulevard, easement, or however otherwise designated.
"STREET, COLLECTOR." A collector street to conduct traffic between major streets or activity centers. It is a principal traffic artery within residential areas and carries moderate volumes of traffic. A collector street has potential for sustaining minor retail or other commercial establishments along its route which will influence the traffic flow.
"STREET, EXTERIOR." A street on the perimeter of a subdivision and/or development.
"STREET FRONTAGE." All of the property fronting on one side of a street between two intersecting streets, or, in the case of a dead-end or cul-de-sac street, all of the property along one side of the street between an intersecting street and the end of the dead-end or cul-de-sac street.
"STREET, INTERIOR." Any street within a proposed subdivision and/or development, which is not an exterior street.
"STREET LENGTH." That distance measured from the intersection centerline of two parallel streets that intersect with the street in question, and located at opposite ends of that street.
"STREET LINES." A line separating an abutting lot or parcel from a street.
"STREET, MAJOR." A street with a high degree of continuity and serving as an arterial traffic way between the various districts of the village and its environs, and as shown on the official map and comprehensive plan of the village.
"STREET, MINOR." A street of limited continuity. Its primary purpose is for access to abutting properties and to serve the local needs of a district.
"STREET WIDTH." The shortest distance between the right-of-way lines of a given street.
"SUBDIVISION AND/OR DEVELOPMENT." Any of the following:
(1) A described tract of land which is to be or has been divided into two or more parcels of land.
(2) Any division of land which created a lot for transfer of ownership, or building development, where a new street is involved.
(3) The dedication of streets, ways, or other areas for use of the public.
(4) Subdivision and/or development does not include the division of a tract, parcel, or lot into parcels or lots, all of which resultant parcels or lots exceed five acres, and if a new street is not involved. A certified plat of survey conforming with the applicable provisions of the development regulations shall be required for the division of land when a new lot is created for the purpose of transfer of ownership or building development, and a new street is not involved.
"SUBDIVISION AND/OR DEVELOPMENT DESIGN STANDARDS." The basic land-planning principles established as guides for the preparation of preliminary and final subdivision and/or development plans, as adopted by the village.
"SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE." This document referred to as the Development Regulations, Chapter 158 of the Codified Ordinances, of the Village of Romeoville.
"USABLE OPEN SPACE." That area of a subdivision and/or development, which is unobstructed from the ground to the sky, and which is not devoted to public or private roadways or driveways, and off-street parking and loading facilities; is accessible and available only to occupants of dwelling units on the premises; is not covered by buildings, except that not more than 5% of the required open space may be recreational facilities enclosed within a building for the use of the occupants of the dwelling units on the premises; and is developed, landscaped, and maintained suitable for pedestrian, recreational, and leisure use.
"VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR." The Village Administrator for the Village of Romeoville.
"VILLAGE ATTORNEY." The Village Attorney for the Village of Romeoville.
"VILLAGE BOARD." The Village Board for the Village of Romeoville. (See also "BOARD OF TRUSTEES".)
"VILLAGE CLERK." The Village Clerk for the Village of Romeoville.
"VILLAGE ENGINEER." The Village Engineer for the Village of Romeoville.
"VILLAGE PLANNER." The Village Planner for the Village of Romeoville.
"VILLAGE PRESIDENT." The Village President for the Village of Romeoville.
"YARD." An open area on a lot which is unobstructed from its lowest level to the sky, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
(1) "FRONT YARD." A yard which is bounded by the side lot lines, front lot lines, and the front yard line.
(2) "INTERIOR SIDE YARD." A side yard which adjoins another lot.
(3) "REAR YARD." A yard which is bounded by side lot tines, rear lot line and the rear yard line.
(4) "SIDE YARD." A yard which is bounded by the rear yard line, front yard line, side yard line, and side lot line.
"YARD LINE." A line in a lot that is parallel to the lot line along which the applicable yard extends and which is not nearer to the lot line at any point than the required depth of the applicable yard extends and which is not nearer to the lot line at any point than the required depth of the applicable yard. A structure or other obstruction shall not encroach into the area between the yard line and the adjacent lot line, except for such permitted encroachments in yards as are allowed in the zoning ordinance.
(Ord. 2313-95, passed 2-1-95; Am. Ord. 12-1014, passed 11-7-12)
Cross-reference:
Definitions of lot split and lot consolidation, see Ch. 159