ACCESSORY - (e.g., accessory building, structure, or use) Customarily incidental and subordinate to a principal building, structure, or use located on the same lot.
ACCESSORY APARTMENT - A second dwelling unit in an existing single-family detached dwelling for use as a complete, independent living facility with provisions within the accessory apartment for cooking, eating, sanitation and sleeping. Such a dwelling is an accessory use to the main dwelling.
ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY - A residence facility for the elderly or disabled that contains independent living units with provisions for cooking, eating, sanitation, and sleeping; that provides for meals, personal care, and supervision of self-administered medication; and that provides a transition between independent living and skilled nursing care.
ATTIC - A space immediately below the roof of a building that is used solely for utilities, storage, or other accessory uses and that is not generally intended, designed or used for regular human occupancy. If the space immediately below a roof is greater than six (6) feet in height over an area equal to or greater than two hundred (200) square feet, the space shall be deemed to be a separate story or half story and shall not be deemed to be an attic.
**Webmasters Note: The previous definition has been added as per an ordinance effective 7/14/03.
BASEMENT - That portion of a building where the ceiling is less than three (3) feet above the average ground level.
**Webmasters Note: The previous definition has been amended as per an ordinance effective 7/14/03.
BERM - A mound of earth typically used as a landform design element or buffer.
BUFFER - Land area used to visibly separate one use from another or to block noise, lights, or other nuisances, generally through the use of landscaping, structures, and/or vegetation.
BUILDING - A structure having a roof supported by walls on all sides and intended for shelter, housing of enclosure of any person, animal, or material of any kind. Buildings that are physically connected only by structures other than buildings, such as covered walkways, shall be deemed to be separate buildings.
**Webmasters Note: The previous definition has been amended as per an ordinance effective 7/14/03.
BUILDING FLOOR AREA, MAXIMUM - The maximum cumulative area, as specified in and permitted by these Regulations, of all floors in any one building, except that the area of basement floors and attic floors shall not be included in the calculation of maximum building floor area.
**Webmasters Note: The previous definition has been added as per an ordinance effective 7/14/03.
BUILDING HEIGHT - The vertical distance from the average finished ground level at the building walls to the highest point of the roof or to the average height between the eaves and the ridge for a gable, hip, or gambrel roof. For buildings which have more than one roof line, height requirements shall be measured to the highest roof.
**Webmaster's Note: Graphics are not displayed in the glossary frame. The graphic associated with this definition can be found in the ordinance body.
BUILDING HEIGHT, MAXIMUM - The maximum building height, as specified in and permitted by these Regulations. The maximum building height in any zoning district shall also be the maximum height of any structure in the same zoning district, except as provided in Section III.B.2 of these Regulations, and except that stand pipes, soil stacks, chimneys, and similar accessory utility structures, as well as television and radio antennas that arc affixed to a building, may extend not more than an additional five (5) feet above the highest point of the roof of the building to which they are accessory, provided the roof complies with the maximum building height limitation.
**Webmasters Note: The previous definition has been added as per an ordinance effective 7/14/03.
BUILDING LINE - A line parallel to the property lines set back a distance equal to the yard requirements established for the zone in which the lot is located. (See Yards.)
CALIPER - The diameter of a tree trunk, measured 6" above the ground.
CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY - A document issued by the Building inspector allowing the occupancy or use of a building and certifying that the structure or use has been constructed in compliance with applicable regulations and approvals.
CONGREGATE LIVING FACILITY - A residence facility for elderly or disabled residents that contains independent living units with provisions for cooking, eating, sanitation, and sleeping and that provides communal dining facilities and other appropriate support services such as housekeeping, organized social and recreational activities, and/or transportation.
CONVENIENCE GOODS - Goods such as food, dairy, bakery, or drug products which may regularly be required in the day-to-day functions of a residential home.
DAY CARE - The provision of a supplementary care program to people outside their homes on a regular basis.
DECIBEL - A unit of sound pressure level which is commonly used to express noise level.
DENSITY - The maximum number of families permitted per acre of developable land.
DWELLING - A building or portion thereof designed and used exclusively for residential occupancy.
EARTH - Earth, sand, gravel, clay, quarry stone, and other earthen materials.
ELDERLY - Age 62 or older or, in the case of elderly occupancy, where at least one member of the immediate family is age 62 or older.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE FACILITY - A medical office staffed by a licensed medical professional, such as a physician or veterinarian, providing emergency treatment for humans or animals on a walk-in basis. The facility will provide equipment and pharmaceuticals necessary to diagnose and treat medical and surgical emergencies.
**Webmasters Note: The previous definition has been added as per an ordinance effective 10/29/01.
FAMILY - Any number of individuals related by blood, marriage, or adoption and not more than two additional unrelated individuals living and working together on the premises as a single housekeeping unit.
FARMING - Cultivation of soil for growing of crops; dairy farming; orchards; and/or the raising, breeding, and keeping of livestock and animals (excluding pigs) on a parcel of land containing at least 10 acres.
FARMING, LIMITED - Farming on a tract of less than 10 acres provided the use is accessory to the principal use of the premises. Animal size is defined as follows:
Large Animals - domestic animals whose mature weight is generally 500 pounds or more, such as horses and ponies.
Medium Animals - domestic animals whose mature weight falls within the range of 30-500 pounds, such as sheep and goats. Small Animals domestic animals with a mature weight of less than 30 pounds, such as poultry, fowl, and rabbits.
FLOOD PLAIN - All land adjacent to the Farmington River and Roaring Brook which falls below the August, 1955 Flood Line (Modified to compensate for subsequent flood control measures) as determined by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in their studies entitled, "Flood Plain information Farmington River Summary Report dated March, 1966" and "Flood Plain Information Roaring Brook Summary Report dated November, 1966" and based on elevations established by the U.S. Coastal and Geodetic Survey, the flood line and the elevations are incorporated as part of these Zoning Regulations; and, all land adjacent to Hawley, Wiggin, Nod, Chidsey and Thompson brooks which falls below the 500-year-flood elevation as determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in their Flood insurance Study of June, 1986 and based on elevations established by the U.S. Coastal and Geodetic Survey, the flood profile and the elevations are incorporated as part of these Zoning Regulations.
100-YEAR-FLOOD PLAIN - Areas of special flood hazard which include all land adjacent to the Farmington River and Roaring Brook and all land adjacent to Hawley Brook, Big Brook, Lake Erie Brook, Nod Brook, Chidsey Brook, and Thompson Brook which falls below the 100-year-flood-frequency profile as determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency In their Flood Insurance Study of June, 1986, which establishes detailed flood profile and elevations, or as otherwise mapped on the Floodway Flood Boundary and Floodway Map, revised June 17,1986, prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
**Webmaster's Note: Graphics are not displayed in the glossary frame. The graphic associated with this definition can be found in the ordinance body.
FLOODWAY - The channel of a river or other watercourse and adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than one (1) foot as shown on the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Flood Insurance Rate Maps for the Town of Avon, CT, dated June 17,1986.
FLOOR - The bottom surface of a room or of any other interior space within a building.
**Webmasters Note: The previous definition has been added as per an ordinance effective 7/14/03.
FRONT LOT - A lot which abuts and fronts on a street and which meets the lot width requirement of the zone.
HOME OCCUPATION - An activity customarily conducted in a dwelling unit by the occupants which is clearly incidental and subordinate to the use of the dwelling for residential purposes. Beauty parlors, barbershops, antique shops, and other similar operations are not included in this definition.
KENNEL - An establishment in -which more than three dogs over the age of six months are housed, groomed, bred, boarded, trained, or sold.
LANDSCAPED AREA - An open area, landscaped area, or naturally vegetated area maintained in natural or artificial ground cover, lawn, trees, shrubs, or other plantings and including walks or drives to and from a street.
LIVING AREA - That portion of the total floor area of a residential dwelling which has ceilings, walls and floors finished in a manner Which is clearly intended for human occupancy, and which conforms to the Building Code.
LOGO - For the purposes of these regulations, logo shall mean a simple graphic presentation which may include numbers or letters used to identify the business.
LOT - A parcel of land occupied or approved to be occupied by a building or buildings.
LOT AREA - The total area within the lot lines of a lot.
LOT COVERAGE - That percentage of the lot area that is covered by the roof area of all buildings and structures on the lot. Roof overhangs shall not be calculated as lot coverage unless they project more than 18 inches from the exterior of the foundation wall.
LOT LINE - A line of record bounding a lot.
LOT WIDTH - The distance between the side lot lines measured along the front yard setback requirement.
MAJOR GROCERY STORE - A self-service retail market larger than 20,000 square feet of gross building area, that sells food and household goods, provided that 50% or more of the area used for displaying goods is used for the display of food.
MOTOR VEHICLE - Any motor passenger vehicle (including taxis and livery vehicles, but excluding busses), any truck not exceeding a 3/4 ton capacity, and any other motor vehicle which is primarily used for agriculture or for maintenance on the premises.
MULTIPLE DWELLING UNIT - A dwelling unit located in a building which contains at least two or more dwelling units.
NONCONFORMING - (e.g., nonconforming use, building or structure) Not conforming to the applicable requirements or provisions of these regulations.
NURSERY - An agricultural operation where the primary use is the growing of flowers, plants, shrubs, or trees outdoors for commercial gain and which may include sale of such products and related garden merchandise as an accessory use. Garden supply stores and sales of equipment and implements are not included in this definition.
PERSONAL SERVICE - Shops such as barbershops, beauty salons, tailoring establishments, shoe repair shops and other similar operations which provide services of a personal, domestic, nature. Day care is not included in this definition.
PREMISES - All land comprising a lot and including all buildings, structures and uses located on the lot.
PROFESSIONAL OFFICE - An office of recognized professions with or without staff such as doctors, dentists, lawyers, architects, engineers, planners, landscape architects, artists, musicians, designers, teachers, and other similar professions who are qualified to perform personal services of a professional nature.
REAR LOT - A residentially zoned lot which does not meet the lot width requirement of the zone and which is approved for building purposes under Section IV.A.4.p.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE - A vehicle which can be towed, hauled or driven and is designed primarily for recreational use or as temporary living accommodations for recreational, camping or travel use.
RESTAURANT - An establishment used principally for the preparation and service of food and beverages for consumption either on or off the premises.
RESTAURANT, CLASS I - A restaurant that meets all of the following criteria:
(i) gross floor area is 1,500 square feet or less;
(ii) seating capacity is 20 or less;
(iii) food and beverages served on the premises are actually or expected to be consumed primarily off the premises; and
(iv) no drive-through windows are provided.
RESTAURANT, CLASS II - A restaurant that meets all of the following criteria:
(i) gross floor area is 2,000 square feet or less;
(ii) seating capacity is 50 or less; and
(iii) food and beverages served on the premises are actually or expected to be consumed primarily on the premises.
RESTAURANT, CLASS III - A restaurant that does not meet all of the criteria of either a Class I Restaurant or a Class 11 Restaurant.
SHOPPING CENTERS - Commercial building(s) totaling more than 20,000 square feet of gross building area, managed as a single operating unit, which includes retail stores and which may include financial institutions, personal services, business and professional offices, and restaurants, but excluding major grocery stores. Adjacent properties subject to a Consolidated Parcel Agreement, as defined in Section V.C. of these Regulations, meeting the above definition shall be considered a Shopping Center.
SIGN - Any natural or artificial structure, object, device, light, or display which is used to advertise, identify, or attract attention to any object, product, institution, organization, business, service, or location by any means, including but not limited to letter, number, banner, flag, insignia, device, designs, symbols, fixtures, colors, illumination or logo, and which is situated so that it can be seen from a street. One flag or any one insignia of any governmental agency shall not be considered a sign within the purpose of this regulation.
SIGN, DETACHED - A sign supported by one or more supports placed in or upon the ground.
SIGN, ROOF - Any sign erected and maintained upon or above the main roof of a building.
SIGN, WALL - A sign which is attached to any surface or plane of a building and which does not extend beyond the perimeter of the building or above the roof line.
STORY - That part of a, building between any floor and the ceiling or roof above it. Basements shall be included in determining the number of stories in a building if the ceiling of the basement is three feet or more above the average ground level. Attics shall not be deemed to be separate stories.
**Webmasters Note: The previous definition has been amended as per an ordinance effective 7/14/03.
STORY, HALF - That portion of a building between a gable, hip, or gambrel roof and the floor below provided that the floor below is not more than two feet below the intersection of the roof and the wall. (See Graphic)
**Webmaster's Note: Graphics are not displayed in the glossary frame. The graphic associated with this definition can be found in the ordinance body.
STREET - Any right-of-way used for public travel or any proposed way shown on a recorded subdivision approved by the Commission.
STREET LINE - A boundary line of any public or private street.
STRUCTURE - Anything constructed or erected which requires location on the ground or attachment to something having location on the ground but excluding pavement.
**Webmasters Note: The previous definition has been amended as per an ordinance effective 7/14/03.
TEMPORARY SPECIAL EVENTS - A temporary accessory use of not more than 3 consecutive days' duration for any 1 occurrence held outdoors in an open area. Such event may include a fair, carnival, festival, flea market, automobile show, arts and crafts show, or sidewalk sale which Is used as a promotional device to advertise an established commercial use and/or as a fund-raising event for a nonprofit organization and may be expected to attract more than 300 persons during the course of the event. Such event may include temporary retail food vendors; retail vendors from both within and outside the project; and exhibitors of arts, crafts, jewelry, farm produce, and other retail products. Special events shall not Include those activities which are merely an extension of the principal use itself, such as a school graduation or athletic competition.
WATERCOURSE - Rivers, streams, brooks, waterways, lakes, ponds, marshes, swamps, bogs, and all other bodies of water (natural or artificial) which are contained within, flow through, or border upon the Town of Avon or any portion thereof.
WETLAND - Land, including submerged land, which consists of any of the soil types designated as poorly drained, very poorly drained, alluvial, or flood plain by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service.
YARD, FRONT - A space extending across the full width of the lot between the street line and a parallel line set back a distance equal to the front yard requirement. Lots with frontage on more than one street shall have a front yard provided on each street. Rear lots shall have the front yard requirement measured from that lot line which most closely parallels the street from which the rear lot gains access.
**Webmaster's Note: Graphics are not displayed in the glossary frame. The graphic associated with this definition can be found in the ordinance body.
YARD REAR - A space extending across the full width of the lot between the rear lot line and a parallel line set back a distance equal to the rear yard requirement. On a lot with no rear yard, the side yard shall extend to the opposite lot line.
YARD, SIDE - A space extending from the front yard to the rear yard between the side lot line and a parallel line set back a distance equal to the, side yard requirement. On a lot with no rear yard, the side yard shall extend to the opposite lot line.
ZONE - An area of land set aside on the Zoning Map having separate requirements as established by these Regulations.
ALTERATION - A Change or rearrangement in the structural parts of a building, the movement of all or any Part thereof, or the substantial reconstruction thereof, in order to produce a substantial change in appearance, character, or construction. it also means an enlargement, whether by increase in height, coverage, volume, or floor area.
BUILDING - Any structure other than
(A) a "facility" as defined in Section 16-501 of the Connecticut General Statutes or
(B) structures of a relatively slender nature compared to the buildings to which they are associated, including but not limited to chimneys, flagpoles, antennas, utility poles, and steeples, provided such structures are accessory to a building or use permitted by these regulations and not the principal use or structure on the lot
CLEAR-CUTTING - The harvest of timber in a fashion which removes from any 200-Square-foot or larger area all or substantially all trees measuring 2 inches or more in diameter at a height of 4 feet.
DEVELOPMENT - The construction, reconstruction, alteration, or expansion of a building equal to or greater than 100 square feet. in area.
PASSIVE RECREATION - Nonmotorized recreation not requiring development as defined herein, nor requiring any clear-cutting or alteration of the existing topography, nor any activity regulated pursuant to this section. Such passive recreation shall include but not be limited to hiking, bicycling, picnicking, and bird-watching.
QUARRYING - The removal, excavation, processing, or grading of stone, fill, or other earth products, regardless of the methods utilized (e.g., blasting, crushing, excavation equipment). Earth which is to be removed as may be necessary to construct a basement for a single-family home or regrading which may be necessary to install an on-site subsurface sewage disposal system shall not be considered quarrying. Any other removal shall be subject to all other pertinent sections of this regulation.
RIDGELINE - The line on a traprock ridge created by all points at the top of a 50 percent or greater slope (2 horizontal for each vertical unit of distance), which slope Is maintained for a distance of at least 50 horizontal feet measured perpendicular to the contours of the slope, and which consists of surficial basalt geology. All slopes disturbed by human intervention shall be measured as they existed immediately prior to such disturbance, as best such pre-existing conditions can be determined by available topographic maps or other records.
RIDGELINE SETBACK AREA - The area bounded by
(A) a line that parallels and is placed a horizontal distance of 150 feet off the more wooded side of all ridgelines as defined herein and
(B) that lowest contour line created where less than a 50 percent slope (2 horizontal for each vertical unit of distance) exists for a distance of 50 horizontal feet on the rockier side of all ridgelines as defined herein. This area is generally shown as an overlay to the official Zoning Map.
SELECTIVE TIMBERING - The removal of no more than ten percent (10%) of the total number of living trees or no more than 10% of the total number of trees in excess of 6 inches in diameter within that portion of any ridgeline setback area located on the lot on which such removal is to occur. The ten percent limitation shall be cumulative from the effective date of these Ridgeline Protection Overlay Zone regulations.
TRAPROCK RIDGE - Talcott Mountain and Pond Ledge Hill
VISUAL IMPACT OBSERVATION POINTS - off-site locations within the Town of Avon from which proposed activities within a ridgeline setback area may reasonably be expected to be visible.
APPLICANT - The owner of the land proposed to be subdivided, or his representative. Consent shall be required from the legal owner of the premises when the Applicant is other than the owner.
BOND - Any form of security including a cash deposit, surety bond, collateral, property, or instrument of credit in an amount and form satisfactory to the Commission.
COMMISSION - The Planning and Zoning Commission of the Town of Avon.
CONSTRUCTION PLAN - The maps or drawings accompanying a subdivision plot and showing the specific location and design of improvements to be installed in the subdivision in accordance with the requirements of the Commission as a condition of the approval.
DEVELOPER - The owner of land proposed to be subdivided, or his representative. Consent shall be required from the legal owner of the premises when the applicant is other than the owner.
EASEMENT - Authorization by a property owner for the use by another, and for a specified purpose, of any designated part of his property.
LOT, PLOT, PARCEL - A plot or parcel of land occupied or capable of being occupied by one principal building determining the land use form and the accessory buildings, structures or uses customarily incident to it, including such open spaces as are required by the Zoning Regulations. A piece of land saleable as a unit. In the case of public, institutional, commercial, or industrial lots, a group of buildings under the same ownership may be considered as occupying one and the same lot.
RESERVE STRIP - A privately owned strip of land which controls access to land dedicated, or to be dedicated, to public use.
RESUBDIVISION - A change in a map of an approved or recorded subdivision or resubdivision if such change (a) affects any street layout shown on such map; (b) affects any area reserved thereon for public use; or (c) diminishes the size of any lot shown thereon and creates an additional building lot if any of the lots shown thereon have been conveyed after the approval or recording of such map.
STREETS
COLLECTOR STREETS - A street intended to move traffic from local streets to secondary arterials. A Collector Street serves a neighborhood or large subdivision and should be designed so that a minimum of residential properties face onto it.
DEAD-END STREET (PERMANENT) - A street having only one intersection with another street and having a turnaround entirely surrounded on its frontage with separate lots.
DEAD-END STREET (TEMPORARY) - A street having one intersection with another street and designed to be extended into adjoining undeveloped land, with a temporary turnaround.
LIMITED LOCAL STREET - A permanent Dead-End street not exceeding 1,000 feet in length, serving no more than 12 lots.
LOCAL STREET - A street intended to provide access to other roads from individual residential properties.
PRIMARY ARTERIAL STREET - A street intended to move traffic to and from such major attractors as central business districts, regional shopping centers, major industrial areas, and similar traffic generators and/or as a route for traffic between communities or large areas.
SECONDARY ARTERIAL STREET - A street intended to collect and distribute traffic in a manner similar to primary arterials, except that these streets service minor traffic generating areas such as community-commercial areas, primary and secondary educational plants, major recreational areas, churches, and offices and/or designed to carry traffic from collector streets to the system of primary arterials.
SUBDIVISION - The division of a tract or parcel of land into three or more parts or lots for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of sale or building development expressly excluding development for municipal, conservation, or agricultural purposes, and includes resubdivision.
BOND shall mean one of the following: (1) A Surety Bond; (2) A Bond secured by a passbook savings account; or (3) A Bond secured by an irrevocable letter of credit. Such Bonds shall be subject to the approval of the Commission.
AGENT . An individual designated by the Commission to carry out its functions and purposes.
BOG . A poorly drained area containing an accumulation of organic material and characterized by an association of plants recognized as bog species, typical examples of which are listed in the booklet titled Inland Wetland Plants of Connecticut (Department of Environmental Protection, State of Connecticut, May, 1973).
CLEAR-CUTTING . The harvest of timber in a fashion which removes all trees having a 2-inch or greater diameter at breast height.
COMMISSION . The Inland Wetlands Commission of the Town of Avon.
CONTINUAL FLOW . A flow of water which is present during most of the year but which may cease temporarily during dry or droughty periods.
DEPOSIT . This term shall include, but shall not be limited to, fill, grade, dump, place, discharge, or emit.
DISCHARGE . The emission of any water, substance or material into waters of the Town of Avon whether or not such substance causes pollution.
FARM POND . A body of water, created by dam or excavation, used principally for the watering of livestock, crop irrigation, fish production, fire protection, wildlife management, or other uses commonly associated with farming.
FARMING . Use of land for the growing of crops, raising of livestock, or other agricultural use.
INTERMITTENT WATERCOURSE . A watercourse which is characterized by nonpersistent flow.
MARSH . An area normally covered with shallow water, subject to seasonal variations, that contains an association of herbaceous, soft-stemmed plants recognized as marsh vegetation. Typical examples of marsh species are listed in the booklet titled Inland Wetland Plants of Connecticut (Department of Environmental Protection, State of Connecticut, May, 1973).
MATERIAL . Any substance, solid or liquid, organic or inorganic, including, but not limited to, soil, sediment, aggregate, land, gravel, clay, mud, debris, sand, refuse, or waste.
NURSERIES . Land used for propagating trees, shrubs, or other plants for transplanting, sale, or use as stock for grafting.
PERMIT . The whole or any part of a permit, license, certificate of approval, or similar form of permission which may be required of any person by the provisions of these regulations or of the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act, as amended.
PERSON . Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, organization, or legal entity of any kind, including municipal corporations, government agencies or subdivisions thereof.
POLLUTION . Any harmful thermal effect or the contamination or rendering unclean or impure of any waters of the Town of Avon by reason of any waste or other materials discharged or deposited therein by any public or private sewer or otherwise so as directly or indirectly to come in contact with any waters.
REGULATED ACTIVITY . Any operation or activity within a wetland or watercourse involving removal or deposition of material or any obstruction, construction, alteration, or pollution of such wetlands or watercourses, except as otherwise exempted under Section III of these regulations. Certain activities or operations occurring outside of inland wetlands or watercourses may still be considered to be "regulated activities". See Section IV.B of these regulations.
REGULATED AREA . The following are considered to be regulated areas:
a. All wetlands and watercourses in the Town of Avon, as defined in these regulations.
b. All areas within 40 feet of the boundary of such wetlands or 80 feet of the boundary of such watercourses.
WETLANDS AND WATERCOURSES are generally shown on a map entitled "Inland Wetlands and Watercourses, Town of Avon, Connecticut", which map is on file in the office of the Town Clerk. In each instance, however, the precise location of wetlands and watercourses shall be determined by the Inland Wetlands Commission or its duly authorized agent based upon the actual type of soil or character of the area.
REMOVE , This term shall include, but shall not be limited to, drain, excavate, mine, dig, dredge, suck, bulldoze, dragline, or blast.
RENDERING UNCLEAN OR IMPURE . Any alteration of the physical, chemical, or biological properties of any of the waters of the Town of Avon, including, but not limited to, change of color, odor, turbidity, or taste.
SIGNIFICANT IMPACT OR MAJOR EFFECT .
a. any activity involving a deposition of material which will or may have a substantial adverse effect on an inland wetland or watercourse or
b. any activity involving removal of material which will or may have a substantial adverse effect on an inland wetland or watercourse or
c. any activity which substantially changes the natural channel or may inhibit the natural dynamics of a watercourse system or
d. any activity which substantially diminishes the natural capacity of an inland wetland or watercourse to support desirable biological life, prevent flooding, supply water, assimilate waste, facilitate drainage, and/or provide recreation and open space or
e. any activity which would significantly alter the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of an inland wetland or watercourse, including, but not limited to, changes in water quality.
SOIL SCIENTIST . An individual duly qualified in accordance with standards set by the Office of Personnel Management (formerly the United States Civil Service Commission).
SWAMP . An area with a water table at or near the surface of the ground throughout most of the year and containing vegetation dominated by an association of trees and/or shrubs recognized as swamp species. Typical examples of swamp species are listed in the booklet titled Inland Wetland Plants of Connecticut (Department of Environmental Protection, State of Connecticut, May, 1973).
WASTE . Sewage or any substance, liquid, gaseous, solid or radioactive, which may pollute or tend to pollute any of the waters of the Town of Avon.
WATERCOURSES . Rivers, streams, brooks, waterways, lakes, ponds, marshes, swamps, bogs, and all other bodies of water, natural or artificial; permanent, vernal, or intermittent; public or private, which are contained within, flow through, or border upon the Town of Avon or any portion thereof.
WETLANDS . Land, including submerged land, which consists of any of the soil types designated as poorly drained, very poorly drained, alluvial, or flood plain by the National Cooperative Soils Survey of the Soil Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, as from time to time amended.