§ 70-2. Definitions.

The following terms used in this chapter shall be defined as follows:

APPLICANT

An individual, partnership, corporation (or agent thereof), or other entity that undertakes the responsibility for any or all of the activities covered by this chapter or Chapter 71, Condominium Projects, Chapter 98, Environmental Assessment, Chapter 238, Subdivision Control, or Chapter 285, Zoning.

AVERAGE DAY

A Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday for most uses. The average day may be a Saturday for uses that have higher peak-hour traffic volumes on a Saturday rather than mid-week.

BACKGROUND TRAFFIC

Traffic anticipated to occur regardless of the decision on the subject application based on overall trends as demonstrated by annual traffic increases and associated with specific approved projects for the opening year of a project. Data such as historic counts and long-range traffic projections from the SEMCOG model shall be considered as part of the background traffic calculation.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CIP)

An annual document adopted by the Township indicating capital projects having funding approval for the current fiscal year and those capital projects which are currently planned for the following five-year period, including the proposed means of financing the same.

DEVELOPMENT

A site plan, subdivision tentative preliminary plat, condominium project, mobile home park, redevelopment, reuse or expansion of a use or building.

GAP (CRITICAL)

The median time headway (in seconds) between vehicles in a major traffic stream which will permit side-street vehicles at a stop- or yield-controlled approach to cross through or merge with the major traffic stream under prevailing traffic and roadway conditions.

LEVEL OF SERVICE

A qualitative measure describing operational conditions within a traffic stream; generally described in terms of such factors as speed and travel time, delay, freedom to maneuver, traffic interruptions, comfort and convenience and safety.

A. 

LEVEL OF SERVICE A

Operations with very low control delay occurring with favorable progression and/or short cycle lengths.

B. 

LEVEL OF SERVICE B

Operations with low control delay occurring with good progression and/or short cycle lengths.

C. 

LEVEL OF SERVICE C

Operations with average control delays resulting from fair progression and/or longer cycle lengths. Individual cycle failures begin to appear. It is typically determined to be acceptable for signalized intersections and the bridges leading to the island.

D. 

LEVEL OF SERVICE D

Operations with longer control delays due to a combination of unfavorable progression, long cycle lengths, or high V/C ratios. Many vehicles stop and individual cycle failures are noticeable. It is typically determined to be acceptable for unsignalized intersections.

E. 

LEVEL OF SERVICE E

Operations with high control delays due to a combination of poor progression, long cycle lengths, and high V/C ratios. Individual cycle failures are a frequent occurrence. This is considered to be the limit of acceptable delay.

F. 

LEVEL OF SERVICE F

Operation with control delays unacceptable to most drivers occurring due to over saturation where arrival rates exceed the capacity of the intersection, poor progression, or very long cycle lengths.

MASTER PLAN

A document which is adopted under the guidance of the Planning Commission in accordance with the Michigan Planning Enabling Act (Public Act 33 of 2008, as amended) and consists of graphic and written materials which indicate the general location for streets, parks, schools, public buildings and all physical development of the Township.

OUT ISLAND

See "undeveloped area."

PEAK HOUR

A one-hour period representing the highest hourly volume of traffic flow in the adjacent street system during the morning (a.m. peak hour), during the afternoon or evening (p.m. peak hour); or representing the hour of highest volume of traffic entering or exiting a site (peak hour of generator).

PLANNING COMMISSION

The Planning Commission of the Township of Grosse Ile, Wayne County, Michigan.

PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY

A unit dedicated to providing immediate and direct emergency response to fire, medical service, crime, and other community safety needs.

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

The Grosse Ile Township Public Service Commission.

ROADS

A public or private thoroughfare or right-of-way, other than a public or private alley, dedicated to or designed for travel and access to any land, lot or parcel, whether designated as a road, avenue, highway, boulevard, drive, lane, place, court, or any similar designation. Various types of roads are defined in Article 1 of Chapter 285, Zoning.

SEMCOG

The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments; the region's designated Metropolitan Planning Organization for Southeast Michigan.

STRUCTURAL ADEQUACY

Determination by the Township Engineer or the Wayne County Department of Public Services, that the pavement cross section (or bridge design) is of sufficient depth and design to carry the increased traffic volume generated by the proposed development, including the heavy construction vehicles which will be present, without causing undue failure of the infrastructure.

STUDY AREA

The geographic area containing those critical arterial intersections (and connecting roadway segments) which are expected to be affected by the site-traffic generated by a development.

TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (TIP)

A list of all transportation projects receiving state or federal funding by SEMCOG.

TRIP (i.e., DIRECTIONAL TRIP)

A single- or one-direction vehicle movement with either the origin or the destination (exiting or entering) inside a study site.

UNDEVELOPED AREA

A land area that is removed by more than 200 feet from existing utilities and improved roads and has not been previously improved with roads and utilities. Any previously platted lots that are unimproved and currently do not have road and utility access shall be considered an undeveloped area. Any out island that is separated from the main island of the Township and currently does not have road and utility access shall be considered an undeveloped area.