The Oxford zoning ordinance, as set forth in the text and map which constitute this title, is adopted with the purpose of improving and protecting the public health, safety, comfort, convenience, and general welfare of the people and in accordance with Iowa Code section 414.3. The fulfillment of this purpose is to be accomplished by seeking:
A. To preserve the availability of agricultural land.
B. To consider the protection of soil from wind and water erosion.
C. To lessen congestion on the public streets.
D. To avoid undue concentration of population.
E. To prevent the overcrowding of land, thereby ensuring proper living and working conditions and preventing the development of blight and slums.
F. To establish adequate standards for the provision of light, air, and open spaces.
G. To facilitate the provision of adequate transportation, and of other public requirements and services such as water, sewerage, schools, and parks.
H. To zone all properties with a view to conserving the value of buildings and encouraging the most appropriate use of land throughout the city.
I. To protect residential, business, commercial, and industrial areas alike from harmful encroachment by incompatible uses and to ensure that land allocated to a class of uses shall not be usurped by other inappropriate uses.
J. To avoid the inappropriate development of lands and provide for adequate drainage, curbing of erosion, and reduction of flood damage.
K. To fix reasonable standards to which buildings and structures shall conform.
L. To promote the conservation of energy resources.
M. To promote reasonable access to solar energy.
N. To prevent such additions to, and alterations or remodeling of, existing buildings or structures as would not comply with the restrictions or limitations imposed herein.
O. To foster a more rational pattern of relationship between residential, business, commercial, and manufacturing uses for the mutual benefit of all.
P. To isolate or control the location of unavoidable nuisance producing uses.
Q. To prescribe penalties for any violation of the provisions of this title or of any amendment thereto. (Ord. 1994-92, 6-14-1994, eff. 6-14-1994)