(A) This chapter is hereby established in accordance with the needs of the township. The text, map and schedules contained herein shall constitute this chapter.
(B) This chapter is adopted for the following purposes:
(1) To protect and promote the public health, safety and general welfare of the township and its residents and landowners;
(2) To guide and protect the future of the township in an orderly manner and in accordance with the growth and development goals of the township’s land use plan. The following is a narrative summary of both the plan text and map:
(a) To promote the agricultural economic base of the township;
(b) To provide for growth in areas conducive for development by encouraging growth and development to occur in close proximity to the Village of Sparta and near the southeastern part of the township;
(c) To protect and preserve the scenic and environmental quality of the Rogue River by maintaining “natural river” restrictions pursuant to state law, and more specifically defined in the Natural River Report: Rogue River, revised August of 1973;
(d) To promote light industrial development in close proximity to the Village of Sparta;
(e) To discourage and restrain major commercial uses such as highway and strip commercial from locating in areas far removed from the Village of Sparta; and
(f) To discourage sprawl development and conflicts between incompatible land uses.
(3) To protect and preserve the value of land throughout the township and the value of buildings appropriate to the various districts established by this chapter;
(4) To assure that the residential housing environment of the township is safe, healthful and free of blighting appearances;
(5) To provide for a range of housing opportunities in a planned, orderly pattern and manner within the township and with residential densities of varying scales east of M-37;
(6) To protect the natural environment from the pollution of air, streams and ponds and to encourage the wise development and sound management of all natural resources throughout the township in order to preserve the stability, beauty and rural character of the community;
(7) To preserve farmland for agricultural uses, especially prime agricultural lands in accordance with the township’s land use plan in agricultural zoning districts, it is the intent of the township to consider and acknowledge the use of land for agricultural purposes under the same values, priorities and terms in this chapter as other uses of land are considered in other zoning districts. By this statement, it is intended that non-agricultural uses are to be discouraged in prime agricultural or unique agricultural zoning districts; and further, to encourage development in other areas that are not suitable for agriculture by making these areas more attractive through zoning; and
(8) To effectuate those purposes and goals as specified in the township’s land use plan.
(Ord. passed 7-12-2012, § 1.3)