This chapter is adopted for the following purposes:
(A) To promote the health, safety and general welfare of the public;
(B) To provide for adequate light, air, convenience of access and safety from fire, flood and other dangers;
(C) To reduce or prevent congestion in the public streets;
(D) To facilitate the creation of a convenient, attractive and harmonious community;
(E) To facilitate the provision of adequate police and fire protection, disaster evacuation, civil defense, transportation, water, sewage, flood protection, schools, parks, forests, playgrounds, recreational facilities and other public requirements;
(F) To protect against destruction of an encroachment upon historic areas;
(G) To protect against one or more of the following: overcrowding of land, undue density of population in relation to the community facilities existing or available, obstruction of light and air, danger and congestion in travel and transportation, or loss of life, health or property from fire, flood, panic or other dangers;
(H) To encourage economic development activities that provide desirable employment and enlarge the tax base;
(I) To provide for the preservation of agricultural and forestal lands and other lands of significance for the protection of the natural environment;
(J) To protect approach slopes and other safety areas of licensed airports, including United States government and military air facilities; and
(K) To promote the creation and preservation of affordable housing suitable for meeting the current and future needs of the town as well as a reasonable proportion of the current and future needs of the planning district within which the town is situated.
(1996 Code, § 176-5)