The village of Sugar Grove zoning ordinance (ordinance) is adopted with the purpose of protecting and promoting the public health, safety, comfort and general welfare of the people. This is to be accomplished by seeking to:
A. Establish districts with the mix of permitted uses necessary to achieve the goals and objectives of Sugar Grove's adopted comprehensive land use plan which promote a growing tax and employment base, while maintaining a balance between residential and nonresidential land uses.
B. Foster a rational pattern and relationship of land uses between residential, business, commercial, and industrial, for the mutual benefit of all, and prevent uses, buildings or structures that are incompatible with those of the surrounding area.
C. Provide for the regulation of, and elimination of nonconforming buildings, structures and uses that are incompatible with surrounding uses, and which may adversely affect the character and value of desired new development in each district.
D. Avoid undue concentrations of population or activity and prevent the overcrowding of land, thereby ensuring proper living and working conditions while preventing blight and slums, providing adequate standards for the provision of light, air, and open spaces.
E. Avoid hazards to persons and damage to property that can result from the inappropriate development of lands, and provide for adequate drainage, erosion control, and reduction of flood damage.
F. Provide and preserve open space according to the village's comprehensive land use plan to: meet the recreational needs of the residents of Sugar Grove; provide buffering between incompatible uses; and protect the natural environment.
G. Promote the establishment of a diversity of dwelling unit types, consistent with land classifications illustrated on the Sugar Grove land use map, to meet the needs of existing and future residents.
H. Allow development to occur according to densities and bulk regulations set forth in this title only in those instances when such uses foster rational development patterns and streets, water, sewerage, schools, and parks are provided, consistent with village requirements.
I. Provide convenient and safe access to individual properties, while maintaining the safety and operational efficiency of adjacent village streets.
J. Lessen congestion on the public streets that could result from expanding the residential and nonresidential land uses according to the intensities allowed by this title by requiring developers to: make appropriate improvements to existing streets; construct new streets according to standards set forth in the subdivision regulations; and assist in the construction of the collector roadways illustrated on Sugar Grove's comprehensive land use plan.
K. Provide for adequate off street parking and loading facilities for all residential and nonresidential properties, so as not to obstruct the travelway of parking lots, drive aisles or adjacent streets.
L. Promote the creation of unified planned developments, in which there is compatibility in architectural design, landscaping, signage and lighting.
M. Promote the visual softening of streets, parking lots, and other impervious surfaces by landscaping residential and nonresidential developments.
N. Require the preservation of sites, areas and structures of historical, architectural, cultural and aesthetic importance that are unique to Sugar Grove and the surrounding area.
O. Define the powers and duties of the administrative and enforcement officers and bodies. (Ord. 2002-01-15B, 1-15-2002)