For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ACCESSORY BUILDINGS. A subordinate building or structure located on the same lot as a principal building which does not alter or change the character of communications, electric, gas, water, and sewer lines, their supports and incidental equipment, and public telephone booths shall be considered accessory uses even though no principal building exists on the premises.
ALLEY. A right-of-way, other than a street, road, crosswalk, or easement, designed to provide a secondary means of access for the special accommodation of the property it reaches.
BLOCK. An area that abuts a street and lies between two intersecting streets or barriers such as railroad rights-of-way or watercourses.
BUILDING LINE. The line that establishes the minimum permitted distance on a lot between the front line of a building and the street right-of-way.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. The complete plan, or any of its parts, for the development of the county prepared by the Area Plan Commission of the county and adopted in accordance with I.C. 36-7-4-500.
CUL-DE-SAC. A short street having one end open to traffic and being permanently terminated by a vehicular turnaround.
DEVELOPER. Any person engaged in developing a lot or group of lots or structures thereon for use or occupancy.
EASEMENT. A grant by the property owner of the use of a strip of land by the public, a corporation or persons for specified purposes.
LOT. Any parcel, tract, or area of land abutting upon a street for at least 60% of the lot width. In the case of an irregularly shaped lot, the front lot line width (at the street right-of-way line) must be equal to 60% of the lot width at the building setback line. The LOT may be a single parcel separately described in a deed or plat which is recorded in the office of the County Recorder, or it may include parts of, or a combination of a group of parcels that are adjacent to each other that are to be used as one. In determining lot area and boundary lines, no part thereof shall be included that is within the limits of a street.
OFFICIAL THOROUGHFARE PLAN. The part of the comprehensive plan, now or hereafter adopted, which includes a major street and highway plan and sets forth the location, alignment, dimensions, identification, and classification of existing and proposed streets, highways, and other thoroughfares.
PERSON. Any individual, corporation, firm, partnership, association, organization, or any other group that acts as a unit.
PLAT. A map or chart indicating the subdivision or resubdivision of land, intended to be filed for record.
PRIVATE STREET. A right-of-way which has the characteristics of a street except that it is not dedicated to the public use. A driveway which is located on a lot and which serves only the use on that lot is not considered as a PRIVATE STREET.
PUBLIC FACILITIES PLAN. The part of the comprehensive plan, now or hereafter adopted, which shows the location of proposed fire and police station sites, existing and proposed schools, parks, or recreation facilities.
RURAL AREAS. The unincorporated areas of the county.
STREET. A right-of-way other than an alley, dedicated or otherwise legally established to the public use, usually affording the principal means of access to abutting properties. A STREET may be designated as a highway, thoroughfare, parkway, boulevard, road, avenue, lane, drive, or other appropriate name.
STREET (OR ALLEY) IMPROVEMENT. The construction of a street or alley to its full thickness, commencing at the subgrade to the specifications hereinafter established. The placing of a new surface over an existing paved or closed surface street or alley shall not be considered as an improvement, but as maintenance.
SUBDIVIDER. Any person engaged in developing or improving a tract of land which complies with the definition of a subdivision.
SUBDIVISION. The division of any parcel of land shown as a unit on the last preceding transfer of ownership thereof, into two or more parcels, sites, or lots; provided, however, that the sale or exchange of parcels between adjoining lot owners, where such sale or exchange does not create additional building sites, shall not be considered a SUBDIVISION.
THOROUGHFARE. The same as STREET.
THOROUGHFARE, INTERSTATE. High speed connector routes between major cities throughout the United States, with access limited to roads having traffic desiring long range rather than local travel. INTERSTATE THOROUGHFARES in urban areas are termed EXPRESSWAYS.
THOROUGHFARE, PRIMARY. Large volume routes between cities and towns within the county and state, with access partially limited where safety conditions warrant. PRIMARY THOROUGHFARES in urban areas are termed MAJOR ARTERIALS.
THOROUGHFARE, SECONDARY. Streets and roads providing local access as well as secondary access to primary connections, with no access limitations. SECONDARY THOROUGHFARES in urban areas are termed LOCAL STREETS.
ZONING ORDINANCE. The part of the comprehensive plan, now or hereafter adopted, which includes an ordinance and zone maps which divide the jurisdictional area into districts, with regulation, requirements, and procedures for the establishment of land use controls.
(1995 Code, § 15-1)