(A) This chapter establishes zoning districts and describes the use and design regulations that apply to each district. Several types of zoning districts are established:
(1) Division 4: base zoning districts establishes districts that divide the local government into various residential, commercial and industrial zones. Each district establishes uses that are permitted “as of right” and as a conditional use. A use permitted as of right is compatible with the other uses within the purpose of the district and therefore requires only administrative approval. Conditional uses require a public hearing to assess whether conditions are needed in order to make the use compatible with other uses in the district;
(2) Division 5: overlay zoning districts establishes districts within which the standards of both the base and overlay zoning districts apply. These districts address special situations that require additional regulations to protect the public health, safety and general welfare;
(3) Division 6: flexible zoning establishes incentives in the form of additional density and other regulatory measures in order to encourage the provision of affordable housing, the preservation of environmental resources, the dedication of rights-of-way for arterial streets, and the redevelopment of underutilized sites. Landowners are permitted through rezoning to transfer densities from sites that are inappropriate for development to sites that are suitable for increases in density; and
(4) The “supplemental use regulations” in Division 16 establish regulations for some uses that are permitted in a zoning district, but raise special concerns that require additional uniform regulations. The regulations set forth apply regardless of whether the use is permitted as of right or as a conditional use within the district.
(B) (1) Pursuant to 65 ILCS 5/11-13, the purpose of this section is to promote the public health, safety, morals or general welfare, and to protect and preserve places and areas of historical, cultural or architectural importance and significance. These regulations are adopted in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan and are designed to:
(a) Lessen congestion in the streets;
(b) Secure safety from fire, panic and other dangers;
(c) Promote health and general welfare;
(d) Provide adequate light and air;
(e) Prevent the overcrowding of land;
(f) Avoid an undue concentration of population; or
(g) Facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewers, schools, parks and other public requirements.
(2) Consistent with the goals and objectives listed in the Comprehensive Plan, these regulations are designed to foster the following subsidiary purposes:
(a) Distribute land uses to meet the physical, social, cultural, economic and energy needs of present and future populations;
(b) Ensure that new development is compatible with surrounding development in use, character and size;
(c) Provide for land uses that serve important public needs, such as affordable housing and employment generators;
(d) Promote mixed-use buildings and mixed-use neighborhoods;
(e) Promote infill housing and downtown retail and residential development;
(f) Integrate civic uses into neighborhoods;
(g) Protect natural resources; and
(h) Encourage retail development in urban, neighborhood and regional centers, including the historic downtown and “main street”.
(3) In accordance with the foregoing purposes, this section establishes regulations governing the following:
(a) The height, number of stories and size of buildings and other structures;
(b) The percentage of a lot that may be occupied;
(c) The size of yards, courts and other open spaces;
(d) Population density; and
(e) The location and use of buildings, other structures and land for business, industrial, residential or other purposes.
(Ord. 3020, passed 9-10-2013, § 3.0)