The purpose of this Code, and the intent of Council in its adoption, is to provide planning, standards, criteria, procedures, regulations and control for the use of land in the Village, and the design, use, bulk, location and spacing of buildings in order to most effectively, and to the fullest extent permissible under its powers of home rule, insure and preserve the public health, safety, convenience, comfort, prosperity and general welfare of the inhabitants of the Village.
Bounded entirely by the City of Cleveland and the Lake Erie shoreline, the Village is incapable of geographic or territorial expansion. Although most of the area of Cleveland, which surrounds the Village, is of nonresidential use and character, because of its location within the metropolitan area, its relationship to Lake Erie and the historical development of the community, the Village has traditionally provided a unique residential environment affording a wide choice of housing. The preservation and enhancement of this unique residential setting and wide choice of housing opportunities, which is a primary objective of the Village, is dependent upon the ability of the Village to provide for the increasing costs of municipal services. The costs of these services in the Village are met through real estate taxes, a municipal income tax and through the Village's share of taxes levied upon the estates of its deceased residents. Revenues from these sources as generated by the existing development of the Village can no longer be relied upon to continue to defray necessary and rapidly escalating Village expenses.
The maintenance of the range of housing choices and the quality of the Village as a residential community is established by the Village as the primary goal for the future. To achieve this goal, the Village recognizes that new development shall occur to renew and further expand housing choices within the community and to provide the basis for meeting the increasing financial requirements of municipal services.
The officials of the Village have recognized that revisions and adjustments to this existing Zoning Code are necessary for the Village to respond to changes in development economics and techniques and market preferences.
Therefore, after careful study, the legislative authority has adopted, with the approval of the Planning Commission, an Updated Master Plan and Development Policy. To carry out the Plan and Development Policy and to preserve and protect the public health, safety, convenience, comfort, prosperity and general welfare of the Village and its inhabitants, and to preserve the essential residential values of the Village, the legislative authority of the Village has adopted and enacted this Code setting forth standards, criteria, procedures, regulations and controls for the use of land in the Village and the design, use, bulk, location and spacing of buildings thereon which shall most effectively utilize the highest professional skills and provide the maximum flexibility of design, arrangements, spacing and construction of improvements on the land, and the location and character of such uses and buildings and the increase and distribution of populations resulting therefrom.
(Ord. 2242. Passed 7-13-81.)