The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this Subdivision Control Ordinance.
ABUTTING. Having a common border with, or being separated from such common border by, an easement.
ACCESSIBLE. A parcel is ACCESSIBLE if it meets one or both of the following requirements:
(1) The parcel has an area where a driveway provides vehicular access to an existing road or street and meets all applicable location standards of the Michigan Department of Transportation or Ingham County Road Commission pursuant to Michigan Public Act 200 of 1969, as amended, or has an area where a driveway can provide vehicular access to an existing road or street and meet all such applicable location standards.
(2) The parcel is served by and existing easement that provides vehicular access to an existing road or street and meets all applicable location standards of the Michigan Department of Transportation or Ingham County Road Commission pursuant to Michigan Public Act 200 of 1969, as amended, or can be served by a proposed easement that will provide vehicular access to an existing road or street and that will meet all such applicable location standards.
(Ord. rev. 4-1-1997)
ADJACENT. See CONTIGUOUS.
ADJOINING. For the purposes of giving proper public notice as required in this chapter, ADJOINING shall include properties across the street from the property being developed.
ALLEY. A public or private right-of-way primarily designed to serve as secondary access to the side or rear of those properties whose principal frontage is on another street. An ALLEY is not intended for general traffic circulation.
APPLICANT. The owner of land proposed to be subdivided or the owner's representative who shall have express written authority to act on behalf of the owner.
APPROPRIATE ROAD AGENCY. The road agency having jurisdiction over the road, street or highway being referenced.
AS-BUILT PLANS. Construction plans that have been revised upon completion of construction to illustrate the actual location and details of improvements.
BERM. A continuous, raised earthen mound with a flattened top and sloped sides, capable of supporting live landscaping materials, and with a height and width that complies with the requirements of this or other applicable ordinances.
BICYCLE PATH. A path, usually separated from the roadway, designed specifically to satisfy the physical requirements of bicycling.
BLOCK. An area of land usually bounded on all sides by streets or other transportation routes such as railroad lines, or by physical barriers such as water bodies, public open space, unsubdivided acreage or other barrier to the continuity of development, and not traversed by an existing or future through street.
BLOCK LENGTH. The distance between intersections of through streets, the distance being measured along the longest street bounding the block and from right-of-way line to right-of-way line of the two intersection streets.
BOARD. The Township Board of Williamstown Township.
BOND. Any form of a surety bond in an amount and form satisfactory to the Township Board.
BUFFER. An area occupied by trees, shrubs, fences and/or berms, designed to separate conflicting uses or limit the view and/or travel of sound between adjacent sites (see also GREENBELT). A BUFFER is often located along a property line. Plantings may consist of natural vegetation or trees and shrubs planted in accordance with a landscape plan.
BUILDABLE AREA. The area of a lot which is defined by the minimum setback requirements within which building construction is permitted by the terms of this chapter.
BUILDABLE AREA, NET. The net buildable area is that portion of a site that is not encumbered by Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ)-regulated wetlands (except as specifically noted), steep slopes, road rights-of-way, easements, structures or lots, or other existing or proposed features that would prevent construction of a building or use of the site for a use permitted in the district in which the site is located.
BUILDING. Any structure built for the support, shelter or enclosure of persons, animals, chattels or property or materials of any kind.
BUILDING LINE or SETBACK LINE. A line parallel to the front lot line at the minimum required front setback line, beyond which a building or part thereof cannot extend unless otherwise permitted under the terms of the Zoning Ordinance.
CALIPER. The diameter of a tree trunk measured in inches, four feet above ground level.
CANOPY TREE. A canopy tree is a deciduous tree which has a mature crown spread of 15 feet or greater when grown in Ingham County and has a trunk with at least eight feet of clear stem at maturity.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM. A proposed schedule of all future projects listed in order of construction priority together with cost estimates and the anticipated means of financing each project.
CAPTION. The name by which the plat is legally and commonly known.
CENTERLINE OFFSET OF ADJACENT INTERSECTIONS. The gap between the centerlines of roads that intersect a common road from opposite or the same sides.
CLERK. The Township Clerk of Williamstown Township.
CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT. A development that concentrates buildings in specific areas on a site to allow the remaining land to be used for recreation, common open space and preservation of environmentally sensitive areas.
COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT. A planned commercial center containing buildings, parking, service areas, landscaping and road improvements to accommodate businesses involved in the sales of goods and services.
COMMISSION or PLANNING COMMISSION. The Planning Commission of Williamstown Township.
COMMON OPEN SPACE. Land within or related to a development, not individually owned or dedicated for public use, which is designed and intended for the common use or enjoyment of the residents of the development. It may include complementary structures and improvements (see also PRIVATE OPEN SPACE).
CONSTRUCTION PLANS. The drawings accompanying a subdivision plat that show the specific location and design of improvements to be installed in the subdivision.
CONTIGUOUS. Lots are CONTIGUOUS when at least one boundary line of one lot touches a boundary line or lines of another lot.
CONVENTIONAL DEVELOPMENT. Development other than planned development.
CROSSWALK or PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY. A right-of-way, at least ten feet in width, dedicated to public use, which crosses a block to facilitate pedestrian access to adjacent streets.
CUL-DE-SAC. A local street with only one outlet and having a circular turnaround for the safe and convenient reversal of traffic movement.
CULVERT. A structure designed to convey a watercourse not incorporated in a closed drainage system under a road or pedestrian walk.
DATE OF FILING. The date on which a plat is submitted to the Township Clerk in a form that complies with all of the application data requirements in this chapter for review in accordance with procedures outlined in this chapter.
DEDICATION. A conveyance of land by a private owner in the nature of a gift or grant and an acceptance of that land by or on behalf of the public.
DENSITY. The permitted number of dwelling units per gross acre of land to be developed.
DESIGN FLOOD. The relative size or magnitude of a major flood of reasonable expectancy, which reflects both flood experience and flood potential and is the basis of the delineation of the floodway, the flood hazard area and the water surface elevations.
DESIGN STANDARDS. Standards that set forth specific improvement requirements.
DETENTION BASIN. A human-made or natural water collector facility which collects surface and/or sub-surface water in order to impede its flow.
DEVELOPER. The legal or beneficial owner or owners of land proposed to be subdivided or the owner's representative.
DEVELOPMENT. The construction of a new building, reconstruction of an existing building or improvement of a structure on a parcel or lot, the relocation of an existing building to another lot or the improvement of open land for a new use.
DIVIDED STREET. A street having an island or other barrier separating moving lanes.
DIVISION. The partitioning or splitting of a parcel or tract of land for the purposes of sale, or lease of more than one year, or of building development, that results in one or more parcels of less than 40 acres or the equivalent, and that satisfies the requirements of §§ 108 and 109 of Public Act 288 of 1967, being M.C.L.A. §§ 560.101—560.293, as amended. DIVISION does not include a property transfer between two or more adjacent parcels, if the property taken from one parcel is added to an adjacent parcel, and a division is not subject to the platting requirements of the Public Act 288, being M.C.L.A. §§ 560.101—560.293.
(Ord. rev. 4-1-97)
DRAINAGE. The removal of surface water or groundwater from land by drains, grading or other means.
DRAINAGE SYSTEM. The natural and human-made system through which water flows from the land.
DRIVEWAY. A private lane, designed primarily for use by vehicles, that connects a building with a road.
EASEMENT. A right, created by an express or implied agreement of the owner of land, to make lawful and beneficial use of adjacent land or the land of another.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRAINTS. Features, natural resources or land characteristics that are sensitive to improvements and may require conservation measures or the application of creative development techniques to prevent degradation, or may require limited development, or in certain instances may preclude development.
EROSION. The detachment and movement of soil or rock fragments, or the wearing away of the land surface by water, wind, ice or gravity.
ESCROW. A deed, a bond, money or interest in a piece of property temporarily deposited with a neutral third party, called the escrow agent, by the agreement of two parties. The escrow agent will hold the deposit until the conditions of the agreement are met, at which time the agent will release it to the grantee.
FENCE. An artificially constructed unroofed barrier of wood, masonry, stone, wire, metal or similar manufactured material, used to prevent or control entrance, confine within or mark a boundary.
FINISHED GRADE. For the purposes of this chapter, the elevation of the surface of the ground, paving, sidewalks or other surface upon completion of excavation, filling and land balancing related to subdivision construction.
FLOODPLAIN. That land which can be expected to be inundated and that is delineated on the Flood Boundary and Floodway Map prepared by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as may be supplemented, amended, or revised from time-to-time.
FRONTAGE. See LOT FRONTAGE.
GOVERNING BODY. The Township Board of Township of Williamstown, Ingham County, Michigan.
GRADE. The slope of a street, or other public way, specified in percentage terms. The slope of a street is the ratio of its "rise" to its "run". This calculation results in a fraction, which can be converted to a percentage by multiplying its decimal equivalent by 100.
GREENBELT. A strip of land located within or adjacent to a road or highway right-of-way, reserved for the planting of shrubs, trees and groundcover to serve as an obscuring screen or buffer for noise or visual enhancement, in accordance with the requirements of this chapter. In certain cases, existing vegetation may be permitted in a GREENBELT, subject to requirements of this chapter.
GROUND COVER. A planting of low-growing plants or sod that in time forms a dense mat covering the area, preventing soil from being blown or washed away and the growth of unwanted plants.
GRUBBING. The removal of understory vegetation from a site which does not include the removal of any trees with a caliper of three inches or greater.
HALF STREET. A street containing less than the required right-of-way width.
HOUSEHOLD. Any person or persons who reside or intend to reside in the same housing unit.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE. A surface that has been compacted or covered with a layer of material so that it is highly resistant to infiltration by water.
IMPOUNDMENT. An artificially-created body of water, such as a pond, confined by a dam, dike, floodgate or other barrier.
IMPROVEMENTS. Grading, street surfacing, curbs and gutters, sidewalks, cross-walks, water mains, fire hydrants, sanitary sewers, storm sewers, drains, culverts, bridges and other additions to the natural state of land which increases its value, utility, habitability and use as a subdivision.
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT. A planned industrial area containing buildings, parking, service areas, landscaping and road improvements to accommodate industrial uses.
ISLAND. In street design, a raised area, usually curbed, placed to guide traffic and separate lanes, or used for landscaping, signs or lighting.
LAND DIVISION ACT. Michigan Public Act 288 of 1967, being M.C.L.A. §§ 560.101—560.293, as amended (known as the Subdivision Control Act prior to enactment of Michigan Public Act 591 of 1996).
(Ord. rev. 4-1-1997)
LEVEL OF SERVICE. A qualitative measure describing operational conditions within a traffic stream; generally described in terms of speed and travel time, delay, freedom to maneuver, traffic interruptions, comfort and convenience and safety.
LOOP ROAD. A road or street that has its only ingress and egress at two points on the same collector street.
LOT. A measured portion of a parcel or tract of land, which is described and fixed in a recorded plat.
LOT AREA, NET. The total horizontal area within the lot lines of the lot, exclusive of any abutting public road rights-of-way or private road easements, or the area of any lake. The NET LOT AREA shall be used in determining compliance with minimum lot area standards.
LOT, CORNER. A lot abutting upon two streets at their intersection or upon two parts of the same street forming an interior angle of less than 135 degrees.
LOT DEPTH. The horizontal distance between the front and rear lot lines, measured along the median between the side lot lines.
LOT (FLAG).A lot which is located behind other parcels or lots fronting on a public road, but which has a narrow extension to provide access to the public road. The extension, which provides access to the buildable portion of the lot, shall comply with the lot width standards for the district in which the lot is located.
LOT FRONTAGE. The length of the front lot line measured along the street right-of-way or easement line.
LOT LINE. The fixed boundaries of a lot described by a survey and recorded in a plat.
(1) FRONT LOT LINE. In the case of a lot not located on a corner, the line separating the lot from a street right-of-way. In the case of a corner lot or double frontage lot, the FRONT LOT LINE shall be that line that separates the lot from the right-of-way for the road which is designated as the front on the plat, or which is designated as the front on the site plan review application or request for a building permit, subject to approval by the Planning Commission or Building Official. On corner lots where the dwelling unit is placed at an angle, both lines along the street rights-of-way shall be considered FRONT LOT LINES.
(2) REAR LOT LINE. Ordinarily, that lot line which is opposite and most distant from the front lot line. In the case of irregular, triangular, wedge-shaped or lots that are pointed at the rear, the rear lot line shall be an imaginary line parallel to the front lot line, not less than ten feet in length, lying farthest from the front lot line and wholly within the lot. On corner lots where the dwelling unit is placed at an angle, the REAR LOT LINE shall be an imaginary line parallel to the front building line, not less than ten feet in length, lying farthest from the front building line and wholly within the lot.
(3) SIDE LOT LINE. Any lot line other than the front or rear lot lines. A SIDE LOT LINE separating a lot from a road right-of-way is a "side street lot line". A SIDE LOT LINE separating a lot from another lot or lots is an "interior side lot line".
LOT, REVERSE FRONTAGE. A through lot that is not accessible from one of the parallel or nonintersecting streets upon which it fronts (see definition of THROUGH LOT).
LOT, THROUGH. A lot, other than a corner lot, that fronts upon two more-or-less parallel streets or upon two streets that do not intersect at the boundaries of the lot.
LOT WIDTH. The straight line distance between the side lot lines, measured at the two points where the minimum front yard setback line intersects the side lot lines.
MAINTENANCE GUARANTEE. Any security which may be required and accepted by Williamstown Township to ensure that necessary improvements will function as required for a specific period of time.
MASTER PLAN. A comprehensive, long-range plan adopted and amended from time to time by the Planning Commission, that is intended to serve as a guide for growth and development of the township. The plan consists of maps, text, tables and graphics with recommendations concerning land use, economic development, housing, recreation and open space, transportation and community facilities.
MEDIAN. That portion of a divided road or highway that separates lanes of traffic proceeding in opposite directions.
MDEQ. Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (or its successor department or agency).
MDOT. Michigan Department of Transportation.
MDNR. Michigan Department of Natural Resources (or its successor department or agency).
MDPH. Michigan Department of Public Health (or its successor department or agency).
MODEL HOME. A dwelling unit used initially for display purposes which typifies the type of units that will be constructed in the subdivision and which will not be permanently occupied during its use as a model.
MULCH. A layer of wood chips, dry leaves, straw, hay, plastic or other materials placed on the surface of the soil around plants to retain moisture, prevents weeds from growing, hold soil in place or aid plant growth.
NATURAL RESOURCES. Land, soils, wetlands, floodplains, surface and ground water, topography, trees and other types of vegetative cover, subsurface strata, geologic formations, animal life and naturally occurring substances and living organisms that can be useful to people. Natural resources are of two types: renewable (e.g., plants and trees) and nonrenewable (e.g., mineral resources).
OFFSET. The distance between the centerlines of driveways or streets that are across the street from one another.
OFF-SITE. Any premises not located within the area of the property to be subdivided, whether or not in the common ownership of the applicant for subdivision approval.
OFF-STREET PARKING. Parking that is not located within a street or road right-of-way, such as parking in a parking lot, parking structure or private driveway.
ON-STREET PARKING. Parking that is located on a dedicated street right-of-way.
OPEN SPACE. Land within or related to a development which is designated and intended for the enjoyment and use of residents of a subdivision. OPEN SPACE typically is unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground upward, except for living plant material and recreational facilities (such as neighborhood parks, golf courses, ballfields, sidewalks, bikepaths and gazebos), permitted signs and drives needed to access open space facilities and utility lines.
OUTLOT. When included within the boundary of a recorded plat, means a lot set aside for purposes other than a building site, park or other land dedicated to public use or reserved to private use. For example, land set aside for a future road would typically be set aside in an OUTLOT.
PARCEL. A continuous area or acreage of land which can be described as provided for in the Land Division Act.
PARENT PARCEL or PARENT TRACT. A parcel or tract lawfully in existence on the effective date of Public Act 591 of 1996.
(Ord. rev. 4-1-1997)
PARKING SPACE. An area provided for the parking of a motor vehicle.
PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE. Any security that may be required by Williamstown Township as a guarantee that the improvements required as a result of approval of subdivision plat are satisfactorily completed.
PERSON. Any individual, trustee, executor, fiduciary, corporation, firm, partnership, association, organization or other legal entity acting as a unit.
PERVIOUS SURFACE. A surface that permits full or partial absorption of storm water.
PLANNED DEVELOPMENT. A planning or construction project involving the use of special zoning requirements and review procedures which are intended to provide design and regulatory flexibility, so as to encourage innovation in land use planning and design and thereby achieve a higher quality of development than might otherwise be possible.
PLANNER or TOWNSHIP PLANNER. The Planning Director, staff planner or consulting planner designated by the Township Board to advise the township administration, Township Board and Planning Commission on items such as planning, zoning, land use, subdivision, housing and other related planning and development issues. This term shall include township specialists on such subjects as landscaping, woodlands and wetlands.
PLANNING COORDINATOR. The Planning Coordinator is the person or persons designated by the Township Board to administer the township's planning and zoning program on a day-to-day basis, including, but not limited to, processing applications, maintaining the minutes of the Planning Commission, sending notices of public hearings and similar work.
PLAT. A map or chart of a subdivision of land, prepared in conformance with the Land Division Act.
(1) FINAL PLAT. A map of a subdivision of land prepared in a form that is ready for approval and recording in accordance with the requirements of this chapter and the Land Division Act.
(2) PRELIMINARY PLAT. A map showing all salient features of a proposed subdivision submitted to the township for the purposes of preliminary consideration, and prepared in accordance with this chapter and the Land Division Act. The preliminary plan review process is separated into "tentative" and "final" preliminary plat review.
(3) SKETCH PLAN. An optional initial review by the Planning Commission of a plan, drawn to scale, showing the proposed layout of streets, lots and other features in relation to existing conditions on the site and on adjoining sites and also showing general subdivision information.
POTABLE WATER SUPPLY. Water suitable for drinking or cooking purposes.
PRELIMINARY PLAT APPROVAL. The conferral of certain rights prior to final approval after specific elements of a development plan have been agreed upon by the Planning Commission, Township Board and the applicant.
PRIVATE OPEN SPACE. Land within or related to a development that is privately maintained and that has not been accepted for maintenance and ownership by the township or other public agency or governmental unit.
PRIVATE ROAD. A road that is privately maintained and has not been accepted for maintenance or ownership by the Ingham County Road Commission or the State of Michigan. The inclusion of this definition is not intended to indicate that private roads are permitted in Williamstown Township.
PROPRIETOR. A natural person, firm, association, partnership, corporation or combination of any of them, which may hold any ownership interest in land, whether recorded or not. Sometimes also referred to herein as the DEVELOPER.
PUBLIC OPEN SPACE. An open space area conveyed or otherwise dedicated to the township, a school district, a state or county agency or other public body for recreational or conservation uses.
PUBLIC SEWER. A sewerage system as defined in M.C.L.A. § 324.4101, as amended.
PUBLIC UTILITY. Any person, firm or corporation, municipal department, board or commission or other public authority duly authorized to furnish gas, steam, electricity, storm sewers, sanitary sewers, communication, cable television, telegraph, telephone, transportation, water or other services to residents of the township.
PUBLIC WALKWAY. A right-of-way dedicated for the purpose of a pedestrian access through residential areas, and located so as to connect to two or more streets, or to a street and a public land parcel.
RECORD DRAWINGS. Construction plans that have been revised upon completion of construction to illustrate the recorded location and details of improvements.
REPLAT. The process of changing, or the map or plat which changes, the boundaries of a recorded subdivision plat or part thereof. The legal dividing of an outlot within a recorded subdivision plat without changing the exterior boundaries of the outlot is not a REPLAT.
RETAINING WALL. A structure erected between lands of different elevation to protect structures and/or prevent the washing down or erosion of earth from the upper slope level.
RETENTION BASIN. A pond, pool or basin used for storage of water run-off and that lacks an outlet for water, relying instead on percolation of storm water into the ground.
RIGHT-OF-WAY. A strip of land reserved and dedicated for a street, alley, walkway or other public purpose, and which may be occupied by public utilities, such as electric transmission lines, gas pipelines, cable television lines, fiber optics lines, water mains, sanitary sewers, storm sewer mains, shade trees or other utility uses. RIGHTS-OF-WAY established and shown on the final plat are to be distinct and separate from the lots or parcels adjoining the rights-of-way, and are not to be included in the dimensions or areas of the lots or parcels. Nothing in this definition or ordinance is intended to prevent the establishment of separate easements for utilities.
RIGHT-OF-WAY LINES. The lines that form the boundaries of a right-of-way.
ROAD CLASSIFICATIONS.
(1) The classification of roads described in the Master Plan as follows:
(a) COLLECTOR ROADS. Collector roads provide access to abutting properties and traffic circulation within residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural areas. The purpose of a COLLECTOR ROAD is to collect traffic throughout the township and channel it to the arterial system.
(b) LOCAL ROADS. LOCAL ROADS primarily provide direct access to abutting land and to collector and arterial streets.
(c) MINOR ARTERIAL. MINOR ARTERIAL ROADS interconnect with the principal arterial system and provide trips of moderate length with a lower level of traffic mobility. MINOR ARTERIAL ROADS place more emphasis on land access than principal arterials.
(d) PRINCIPAL ARTERIAL. Principal arterial roads are intended to serve the major centers of activity, the highest traffic volume corridors and the longest trips. PRINCIPAL ARTERIALS serve major traffic movements within the township.
(2) The term
STREET shall have the same meaning as the term ROAD as used in this chapter.
ROAD COMMISSION. The Ingham County Road Commission.
SCREEN. A structure or plantings consisting of fencing, berms and/or evergreen trees or shrubs providing a continuous view obstruction within a site or property.
SEDIMENTATION. The movement of soil that has been transported from its site of origin by water, ice, wind, gravity or other natural means as a product of erosion.
SETBACK. The distance between a front, side or rear lot line and the nearest supporting member of a structure on the lot. The minimum required setback is the minimum distance between a front, side or rear lot line and the nearest supporting member of a structure in order to conform to the required yard setback provisions of the Zoning Ordinance.
SHADE TREE. A tree in a public place, street, easement or right-of-way adjoining a street (also referred to as STREET TREE).
SHOULDER. The portion of the road right-of-way between the edge of the traffic lane and the intersection of the shoulder slope and side slope planes. The SHOULDER facilitates road drainage and provides space for emergency stops and maintenance operations.
SIDEWALK. A paved path provided for pedestrian use and commonly located at the side of a road within the right-of-way.
SIGHT TRIANGLE. A triangular-shaped portion of land established at street intersections in which nothing is erected, placed, planted or allowed to grow in such a manner as to limit or obstruct the sight distance of motorists entering or leaving the intersection. The SIGHT TRIANGLE REQUIREMENT may apply to the intersection of a public street and a private road or drive.
SKETCH PLAN. A sketch preparatory to the preliminary plat to enable the subdivider to reach general agreement with the township as to the form of the plat and the objectives of the regulations contained in this chapter.
SLOPE, STEEP. A slope with a "moderate" or "high" erosion hazard (often 7% or greater) as defined in the Michigan Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Guidebook. Percent slope shall be computed by dividing the change in elevation by the horizontal distance, times 100.
STORM WATER DETENTION. A provision for storage of storm water run-off and the controlled release of the run-off during and after a flood or storm.
STORM WATER RETENTION. See RETENTION BASIN.
STREET FURNITURE. Human-made, above-ground items that are usually found in street rights-of-way, including benches, kiosks, plants, canopies, shelters and phone booths.
STUB STREET. A portion of a street for which an extension has been proposed.
SUBDIVIDE, SUBDIVISION. The partitioning or splitting of a parcel or tract of land for the purpose of sale, or lease of more than one year, or of building development that results in one or more parcels of less than 40 acres or the equivalent, and that is not exempted from the platting requirements specified in Public Act 288 of 1967, being M.C.L.A. §§ 560.101—560.293, as amended. SUBDIVIDE or SUBDIVISION does not include a property transfer between two or more adjacent parcels, if the property taken from one parcel is added to an adjacent parcel.
(Ord. rev. 4-1-1997)
SUBDIVISION CONTROL ACT. Michigan Public Act No. 288 of 1967, being M.C.L.A. §§ 560.101—560.293, as amended, now known as the Land Division Act as a result of enactment of Michigan Public Act 591 of 1996.
(Ord. rev. 4-1-1997)
SURVEYOR. A person who, by reason of knowledge of law, mathematics, physical sciences and techniques of measuring acquired by professional education and practical experience, is licensed to engage in the practice of professional surveying.
TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP. A map prepared by a professional surveyor showing existing physical characteristics, with contour lines at sufficient intervals to permit determination of proposed grades and drainage.
TOWNSHIP. The Williamstown Township, Michigan.
TOWNSHIP ENGINEER or ENGINEER. The staff engineer or consulting engineer designated by the Township Board to advise the township administration, Township Board and Planning Commission on drainage, grading, paving, storm water management and control, utilities and other related site engineering and civil engineering issues.
TRACT. Two or more parcels that share a common property line and are under the same ownership.
(Ord. rev. 4-1-1997)
TRAFFIC ASSESSMENT. A type of traffic impact study for low traffic generating uses which focuses on the impacts at proposed site access points.
TRAFFIC IMPACT STUDY. The analysis of the effect of traffic generated by a development on intersection "level of service" and the safety and operation of the public street and highway system. A traffic impact study evaluates the impacts on streets and highways adjacent to the proposed subdivision as well as specified nearby intersections.
VARIANCE. A modification of the literal provisions of Chapter 156 of this code granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals when strict enforcement of Chapter 156 of this code would cause practical difficulties owing to circumstances unique to the individual property on which the variance is granted.
VESTED RIGHT. The right to initiate or continue the establishment of a use that will be contrary to a restriction or regulation coming into effect when the project associated with the use is completed.
WETLAND, REGULATED. A wetland regulated by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) under the provisions of Act 203 of the Public Acts of 1979, as amended, and generally defined as land characterized by the presence of water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances does support wetland vegetation or aquatic life and is commonly referred to as a bog, swamp, or marsh and which is any of the following:
(1) Contiguous to an inland lake or pond, or a river or stream;
(2) Not contiguous to an inland lake or pond, or a river or stream, and more than five acres in size;
(3) Not contiguous to an inland or pond, or river or stream; and five acres or less in size if the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) determines that protection of the area is essential to the preservation of the natural resources of the state from pollution, impairment or destruction and the department has so notified the property owner.
(Ord. passed 3-18-1997)