Wherever the following words and phrases appear in this chapter,
they shall be given the meanings attributed to them by this section.
When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present
tense shall include the future; the singular shall include the plural,
and the plural the singular; the word "shall" is always mandatory,
and the word "may" indicates a use of discretion in making a decision.
"Alley"
is a strip of land dedicated to public use providing vehicular
and pedestrian access to the rear side of properties which abut and
are served by a public road.
"Block"
is a group of lots, tracts or parcels within well-defined
and fixed boundaries.
"Board"
is the board of Columbia County commissioners.
"Cul-de-sac"
is a public road closed at one end by a circular area of
sufficient size for turning vehicles around.
"Dedication"
is the deliberate appropriation of land by an owner for any
general and public uses, reserving to himself no other rights than
such as are compatible with the full exercise and enjoyment of the
public uses to which the property has been devoted. The intention
to dedicate shall be evidenced by the owner by the presentment for
filing of a final plat showing the dedication thereon, and the acceptance
by the public shall be evidenced by the approval of such plat for
filing by the board of county commissioners of Columbia County.
"Easement"
is a grant by a property owner to specific persons or to
the public to use land for a specific purpose or purposes.
"Final plat"
is the final drawing of the subdivision and dedication prepared
for filing for record with the county auditor and containing all elements
and requirements set forth in Chapter 271, Laws of 1969, First Extraordinary
Session, Chapter
58.17 RCW, and in this chapter adopted pursuant thereto.
"Lot"
is a fractional part of subdivided lands having fixed boundaries,
being of sufficient area and dimension to meet minimum zoning requirements
for width and area. The term shall include tracts or parcels.
"Plat"
is a map or representation of a subdivision, showing thereon
the division of a tract or parcel of land into lots, blocks, roads
and alleys or other divisions and dedications.
"Preliminary plat"
is a neat and approximate drawing of the proposed subdivision
showing the general layout of roads and alleys, lots, blocks, and
restrictive covenants to be applicable to the subdivision, and other
elements of a plat or subdivision which shall furnish a basis or the
approval or disapproval of the general layout and provisions of a
subdivision.
"Reverse-frontage lot"
means a double-frontage lot for which the boundary along
one of the streets is established as the front lot line and the boundary
along the other street is established as the rear lot line, and over
the rear of which is an easement. The rear lot line of the lot shall
be that boundary abutting a traffic artery or other disadvantageous
use.
"Road"
is an improved and maintained public right-of-way which provides
vehicular circulation or principal means of access to abutting properties,
and which may also include provisions for public utilities, pedestrian
walkways, public open space and recreation areas, cut and fill slopes,
and drainage. The road shall meet the minimum geometric and structural
design standards as established by Columbia County for new construction.
"Subdivider"
is a person, firm, corporation or association who undertakes
to create a subdivision.
"Subdivision"
is the division of land into five or more lots, tracts, parcels,
sites or divisions for the purpose of sale or lease and shall include
all resubdivisions of land. Land will be considered divided into five
or more lots (10 or more within urban growth areas), tracts, parcels,
sites or divisions even though one or more of the lots, tracts, parcels,
sites or divisions remains unsold or leased.
(Ord. 75-04 § 3; Ord. 2017-03 (Exh. B); Ord. 2017-04)