(A) It is declared to be the intent and purpose of this chapter to promote and protect the health, safety, comfort, convenience, prosperity and general welfare of the citizens of Mount Pleasant by assuring quality development to allow for proper economic growth which conforms to a comprehensive plan of the city. It is further declared that the purpose of this chapter is:
(1) To promote the stability of existing land uses that conform with a comprehensive plan and to protect them from unharmonious influences and harmful intrusions;
(2) To promote a harmonious, convenient, workable relationship among land uses;
(3) To encourage quality development through effective planning which utilizes modern innovations of urban design;
(4) To promote and protect the aesthetic quality of the city by conserving and enhancing the taxable values of land and buildings throughout the city;
(5) To protect and enhance areas of scenic, historic or cultural importance;
(6) To provide adequate light and air;
(7) To encourage proper population densities and prevent the overcrowding of structures;
(8) To provide adequate protection for community investments in water, streets, sewerage, schools, parks and other community facilities;
(9) To promote a safe, effective traffic circulation system; and
(10) To provide safety from fire and other dangers.
(B) The city is divided into zones or districts, redistricting and regulating therein the location, erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration and use of buildings, structures and land for trade, industry, residence and other specified uses; to regulate the intensity of the use of lot areas and to regulate and determine the area of open spaces surrounding such buildings; to establish building lines and locations of buildings designed for specified industrial, business, residential and other uses within such areas; to fix standards to which buildings or structures shall conform therein; to prohibit uses, buildings or structures incompatible with the character of such districts, respectively; to prevent additions to and alterations or remodeling of existing buildings or structures in such a way as to avoid the restriction; and limitations lawfully imposed hereunder, providing for the gradual elimination of nonconforming uses of land, buildings and structures.
(`87 Code, Zoning Ordinance, Art. I, § 2)