Morrisville Unified Development Ordinance

Article 11: Interpretation and Definitions Section 11.5. Terms and Uses Defined 11.4.3. Illuminated Signs

E LEVATED B UILDING A non-basement building that has its lowest floor elevated floor above ground level by foundation walls, pilings, columns, posts, piers, or shear walls. E LEVATION A vertical distance above or below a fixed reference level. For purposes of measuring the height of structures, elevation is the distance above finished grade at the base of the structure. For purposes of floodplain management, elevation is the distance above mean sea level. Elevation may also refer to a fully dimensioned drawing of the side of a building showing features such as windows and doors, and the relationship of grade to floor level. E MERGENCY S ERVICES A government facility for public services such as fire and police protection, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), emergency operation centers, and related administrative services. E NCROACHMENT For purposes of floodplain management, the advance or infringement of uses, fill, excavation, buildings, permanent structures, or development into a floodplain, that may impede or alter the flow capacity of a floodplain. E NGINEER , L ICENSED P ROFESSIONAL A professional individual licensed by the State of North Carolina to practice in the field of engineering sciences. Also referred to as a Professional Engineer. E NGINEERED S TORMWATER C ONTROL A physical device designed to trap, settle out, or filter pollutants from stormwater runoff; to alter or reduce stormwater runoff velocity, amount, timing, or other characteristics; to approximate the pre development hydrology on a developed site; or to achieve any combination of these goals. Engineered stormwater control includes physical practices such as constructed wetlands, vegetative practices, filter strips, grassed swales, and other methods installed or created on real property. “Engineered stormwater control” is synonymous with “structural practice,” “stormwater control facility,” “stormwater control practice,” “stormwater treatment practice,” “stormwater management practice,” “stormwater control measures,” structural stormwater treatment systems,” and similar terms used in this ordinance. It is a broad term that may include practices that do not require design by a professionally licensed engineer. E PHEMERAL S TREAM A feature that carries only stormwater in direct response to precipitation with water flowing only during and shortly after large precipitation events. An ephemeral stream may or may not have a well-defined channel, the aquatic bed is always above the water table, and stormwater runoff is the primary source of water. An ephemeral stream typically lacks the biological, hydrological, and physical characteristics commonly associated with the continuous or intermittent conveyance of water.

E VERGREEN Plant material that retains its leaf material year-round.

Morrisville, NC

October 1, 2021

Unified Development Ordinance

Page 11-36