A. The comprehensive plan and the zoning ordinance together make up part of the land use control system for the city of Coeur d'Alene. Planning and zoning, by its nature, is composed of two (2) time frames: the current day to day zoning activity, and the future planning objectives. Zoning must be specific and regulatory in nature. Planning, on the other hand, is abstract and objectively oriented.
B. Zoning conforms and implements today's needs with the goals and objectives of the future, as expressed in the comprehensive plan. Thus, the zoning ordinance continues to be more restrictive than the comprehensive plan; however, no conflict should be perceived from these differences. The following zoning ordinance represents a first step toward the goals of the community as established in the comprehensive plan. The consistency of this step must be measured by the zoning ordinance, the comprehensive plan, and also by the practicalities of daily life which moderate our city's strides toward those goals. In this sense, the zoning ordinance can only be required to conform with but not exactly replicate the comprehensive plan.
C. The general purposes of the zoning ordinance are to protect and promote the public health, safety, convenience, and general welfare and to achieve the following objectives:
1. To promote the achievement of the policies of the Coeur d'Alene comprehensive plan.
2. To protect the land resources, and residential, commercial, manufacturing, civic, hazard and other specially designated areas from the intrusion of incompatible uses.
3. To provide for desirable, appropriately located living areas in a variety of dwelling types and at a wide range of population densities, with adequate provision for sunlight, fresh air, and usable open space and with minimal adverse environmental factors.
4. To ensure preservation of adequate space for agricultural, commercial, manufacturing, and other activities necessary for a healthy economy.
5. To provide opportunities for establishments to concentrate for efficient operation in mutually beneficial relationship to each other and to shared services.
6. To promote safe, and orderly movement of people and goods, and the provision of adequate off street parking and loading.
7. To achieve excellence and originality of design in all future developments and to preserve the natural beauty of the city of Coeur d'Alene.
8. To guide the growth and productivity of the city of Coeur d'Alene's economy.
9. To plan for future development of the city of Coeur d'Alene, thereby providing a basis for wise decisions with respect to such development.
10. To protect property rights and enhance property values.
11. To encourage beautification of existing and newly developed neighborhoods or areas through the use of underground utilities and landscaping.
12. To discourage the unnecessary destruction or impairment of structures, or other physical features, sites and areas of special character or special historical, cultural, educational, architectural, aesthetic or environmental interest or value.
13. To encourage the highest and best use of land in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan.
14. To ensure that land use decisions are not contrary to the public interest. (Ord. 3380 §5, 2010)