(A) General purposes. The general purposes of this chapter are to provide for the orderly growth and renewal of the city, to protect and conserve its natural resources, its ecological systems and its economic stability by fostering appropriate land Use, so as to preserve and promote the public health, safety and general welfare.
(B) Specific purposes. It is hereby determined by the City Council that in order to accomplish the general purposes of this chapter as set forth in division (A) above, it is necessary and proper to establish and enforce the regulations contained in this chapter for the following specific purposes:
(1) To stage Development and Redevelopment to coincide with the availability of necessary public services;
(2) To divide the City into districts, providing for and regulating therein the location, construction, reconstruction, alteration and Use of Buildings, Structures and land for residential, Business, Commercial, Industrial and other specified Uses;
(3) To protect the character and maintain the stability of residential, Business, Commercial and Industrial areas within the City, and prohibit Uses, Buildings or Structures which are incompatible with the character of Development in such areas;
(4) To provide adequate light, air, privacy and convenience of access to property;
(5) To limit congestion in public Streets and to foster public safety and convenience in travel and transportation;
(6) To provide protection against fire, explosions, obnoxious fumes and other hazards in the interest of public health, safety and comfort;
(7) To prevent environmental pollution;
(8) To prevent the destruction or improvident exploitation of City resources;
(9) To preserve the value of land and buildings throughout the City;
(10) To provide for the gradual and equitable elimination of those Uses of land, buildings and Structures, and of those buildings and Structures which do not conform to the standards for the area in which they are located and which may adversely affect the development and the value of property in such areas;
(11) To provide for the condemnation of such non- conforming Buildings or Structures and of land as is necessary or appropriate for the rehabilitation of the area blighted thereby;
(12) To provide for the enforcement of this chapter and to define and limit the powers and duties of the administrative officers and bodies responsible therefor;
(13) To protect and preserve economically viable agricultural land; and
(14) To provide for the wise Use and conservation of energy resources.
(C) Interpretation and construction.
(1) Interpretation. In the application of this chapter, the provisions thereof shall be interpreted to be the minimum requirements necessary to accomplish the general and specific purposes of the chapter.
(2) Rules of construction. The words and phrases used in this chapter shall be construed in their plain ordinary and usual sense, except that technical words and phrases having a peculiar and appropriate meaning in law shall be understood according to their technical import.
(3) Masculine, feminine or neuter. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the use of either masculine, feminine or neuter gender shall include the other genders.
(4) Singular or plural. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the use of either singular or plural numbers shall include the other number.
(5) Past, present or future. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the use of either past, present or future tense shall include the other tenses.
(6) Joint authority. Words importing joint authority to three or more Persons shall be construed as authority to a majority of such Persons.
(7) Computation of time. The time within which an act shall be done shall be computed by excluding the first and including the last day. If the last day is a Sunday or legal holiday, such date shall be excluded.
(8) Deputies. Whenever this chapter requires an act to be done, which act may legally be done by an agent or employee as well as by the principal, such requirement shall be satisfied by the performance of such act by an authorized agent or employee.
(9) Conjunctions. The words “or” and “and” may be read interchangeably in situations where the context requires it.
(10) State rules of construction to apply. Unless clearly in conflict with the provisions of this chapter or otherwise clearly inapplicable, rules of construction established for the state by statute or case law shall apply in the construction of this chapter.
(11) No consent or permit implied. Nothing contained in this chapter shall be deemed to be a consent, license or permit to Use any property or to locate, construct or maintain any Building, Structure or facility or to carry on any trade, industry, occupation or activity.
(12) Provisions cumulative. Except as herein provided, the provisions of this chapter are cumulative and in addition to the provisions of other laws and ordinances, heretofore passed or which may be passed hereafter, governing the same subject matter as this chapter.