Section 7-11-4 Definitions
“Bedrock” is in-place solid rock.
“Bench” is a relatively level step excavated into earth material on which fill is to be placed.
“Compaction” means the densification of a fill by mechanical means.
“Cut” is the removal of earth material. It may also mean the grade resulting from removal of earth material.
“Detention area” means a manmade, or natural, water collection facility designed to collect surface and subsurface water in order to impede its flow and to release the same gradually at a rate not greater than that prior to the development of the property, into natural or manmade outlets.
“Development” means any human alteration to the existing state of the land, including its vegetation, soil, geology, topography or hydrology for any commercial, industrial, residential or accessory facilities, or any other use, including any and all utilities, sewers, septic systems and circulation areas, such as streets, private roads, parking areas or driveways.
“Earth material” means any rock, natural soil fill, or any combination.
“Engineering geology” is the application of geologic knowledge and principles in the investigation and evaluation of naturally occurring rock and soil for use in the design of civil works.
“Erosion” means the wearing away of the ground surface as a result of the movement of wind or water.
“Excavation” means the mechanical removal of earth material.
“Fill” means a deposit of earth material placed by artificial means.
“Grade” means the vertical location of the ground surface.
“Existing grade” is the ground surface prior to grading.
“Finished grade” is the final grade of the site that conforms to the approved plan.
“Natural grade” is the ground surface unaltered by artificial means.
“Rough grade” is the stage at which the grade approximately conforms to the approved plan.
“Grading” means the clearing, brushing, grubbing, excavating, or filling of a site.
“Grubbing” means the removal of vegetation (grass, brush, trees, and similar plant types) by mechanical means.
“Land parcel” is an area of land with boundaries recorded in the Yavapai County Recorder’s Office.
“Mitigation” means the replacement and/or restoration of damaged or disturbed site features or a high-value resource on site to a condition that replicates the natural undisturbed condition that historically existed on site or in the neighborhood. (See also “Restoration.”)
No Practicable Alternative. When used, the term means that the property owner has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Community Development Director or representative that, due to physical conditions existing on the property, compliance with the requirements of a section cannot reasonably be practically or functionally achieved.
“Peak protected area” is the circular area defined by a one hundred fifty (150) foot radius (map distance) from the peak point.
“Restoration” is the process of repairing a previously disturbed, damaged, undamaged or ungraded condition of vegetation, plant communities, geologic structures, grade, drainages, and riparian habitat that historically existed on site or in the neighborhood. Restoration of previously disturbed areas will include enhanced revegetation, and may include corrective grading, natural and artificial rock, and top dressing.
“Retention area” means a manmade or natural water collection facility designed to collect surface and subsurface water and retain it on a permanent basis.
“Soil” is the naturally occurring superficial deposits overlying bedrock.
“Soil engineering” means the application of the principles of soil mechanics in the investigation, evaluation, and design of civil works involving the use of earth materials and the inspection and testing of the construction thereof.
“Stockpile” means earth material in excess of fifty (50) cubic yards stored for a temporary period of time upon a lot.
“Terrace” is a relatively level step constructed in the face of a graded slope surface for drainage and maintenance purposes. [Resolution #1509, 2015; Ordinance #371, 2015; prior code § 7-11-4.]