(a) It is the intent of this Zoning Ordinance to preserve, protect and enhance existing development and use of land in the City and to facilitate and encourage sound and orderly new development, in appropriate locations compatible with existing development and beneficial to the City, in the interest of the public health, safety, convenience, comfort, prosperity and general welfare. It is the further intent to divide the incorporated area of the City into zoning districts and to regulate the use and development of land in each district, and in all districts, according to sound principles of community and land use planning. It is intended that regulations be uniform and fair to each class or type of structure or land, while allowing flexibility for unique conditions and innovative development.
(b) Need for public service and facilities in both size and location depends upon the character and intensity of land use. Regulation of the use of land is thus fundamental to a coordinated optimum physical development of the community. The land use regulations are intended to be the foundation of the entire process of improvement of the physical environment.
(c) The land use regulations divide the area into a number of zoning districts.
(1) In the past, residential neighborhoods have deteriorated because they were invaded by small isolated commercial uses and by more intensive residential uses such as duplexes or apartment buildings. The great majority of our population desires to, and does live in single-family homes which they own. The regulations establish residential districts particularly designed to provide maximum protection for single-family homes.
(2) Other residential districts are established for two-family homes and for apartments. Density, yard and parking regulations help provide good living conditions in these areas. Much of the present-day building is by large projects, instead of lot by lot. The regulations provide for "large scale development," two acres or more, which may be located in any residential district with approval of the site plan and with conformity of the plan to the overall density standards of the district. This introduces an important measure of flexibility into the regulations.
(3) Commercial districts recognize the different types of commercial areas that will be needed by the future growth of the community. There is a zoning district for the neighborhood commercial area, for example, the grocery store - drugstore complex serving the adjacent residential neighborhoods.
(4) For industry, there is a general district suited to the needs of the City and to manufacturing establishments located or subject to location therein.
(5) The regulations emphasize character as well as location and density of the land uses. Special inducements are offered for good design of apartment areas. Landscape planting is required in all front yards and for automobile filling stations, parking lots and garages. Advertising is carefully controlled.
(6) The regulations are reasonable in relation to existing conditions. Yard dimensions are adjusted to peculiarities of existing lots. Lots that are now too small may be used. Nonconforming uses are permitted to continue for adequate time periods.
(7) All uses are required to provide their own off-street parking, with a few exceptions. Over a period of years, enforcement of this requirement will enable streets to be used primarily for traffic movement.
(8) Each of the regulations has been designed to work harmoniously with the others, with the total providing that minimum degree of land use control essential to the realization of the optimum urban environment.
(Ord. 90-44. Passed 9-4-90.)