As established by I.C. 36-7-4-601, the purpose of this ordinance is to regulate and control the zoning of land and the consequent use of said land within the city, and its jurisdictional area, in order to secure adequate light, air, convenience of access; safety from fire, flood, and other danger; lessen or avoid congestion in public ways; and promote the public health, safety, comfort, morals, convenience, and general welfare. To achieve these purposes, these regulations are specifically designed to:
A. Protect the character and stability of residential, recreation, commercial, industrial, and open space areas within the city and promote their orderly and beneficial development.
B. Provide privacy and convenience of access to property.
C. Regulate the intensity of land use and establish open areas surrounding buildings and structures necessary to provide adequate light and ventilation, and to protect public safety and health;
D. Regulate and limit the height of buildings and structures.
E. Lessen and avoid congestion on public streets by providing for off-street parking and loading areas.
F. Regulate and limit the density of population based on the city's ability to provide for water, sewerage, schools, parks, and other essential public services.
G. Divide the city into zoning districts and establish by reference to a map, the boundaries of said districts.
H. Fix reasonable standards to which land, buildings, structures, and their uses must conform.
I. Prohibit uses, buildings, or structures which are incompatible with the character of development or uses, buildings, or structures permitted within specified zoning districts.
J. Prevent illegal additions or alterations of existing buildings or structures.
K. Protect against fire, explosion, noxious fumes, odors, heat, dust, smoke, glare, noise, vibration, radioactivity, and other nuisances and hazards, in the interest of the public health, safety, and welfare.
L. Prevent the overcrowding of land and the undue concentration of buildings and structures so far as is possible and appropriate in each zoning district by regulating the land around them.
M. Preserve and enhance the taxable value of land, buildings, and structures throughout the city and its jurisdictional area.
N. Provide for the completion, restoration, reconstruction, or extension of nonconforming uses. (Please see Chapter 2).
O. Designate and define the powers and duties of the official(s) administering and enforcing this ordinance.
P. Provide penalties for the violation of this ordinance.
(1980 Code, Ch. 156, § 1.03) (Ord. 1995-7, passed 6-5-1995)