(A) The purpose of this zoning code for the city shall be to promote and secure the public health, safety, comfort, and general welfare for the citizens of the city. To these ends, and in conformance with the principles and policies of the Comprehensive Plan of the city, these policies guiding the interpretation and application of the regulations contained herein shall be to:
(1) Provide adequate light, pure air, safety from fire and other dangers, and convenience of access to property, by regulating use of land and buildings and bulk of structures in relationship to surrounding properties;
(2) Promote orderly development of residential, business, industrial, recreational, and public areas;
(3) Limit congestion in public right-of-ways and prevent overcrowding of land and undue concentration of population;
(4) Protect natural features such as forested areas and water and drainage courses and to minimize the hazards to persons and property resulting from the accumulation of runoff of storm and flood waters;
(5) Provide for compatibility of different land uses as well as the most appropriate use of land;
(6) Conserve the value of land, buildings, and structures;
(7) Encourage the compact development of urban areas, to minimize the cost of development of public utilities and public transportation facilities and the provision of municipal services; and
(8) Provide protection from air, water, and noise pollution emanating from the use of land and structures within the jurisdiction of this code.
(B) The zoning code of the city shall:
(1) Provide for the division of the city, and the contiguous unincorporated territory within 1-1/2 miles of its city limits, into districts regulating therein the use of land and the use, location, construction, reconstruction, and alteration of buildings and structures;
(2) Prohibit uses, buildings, or structures incompatible with the character of such districts;
(3) Regulate and limit the intensity of the use of lot areas, and to regulate and determine the area of open spaces within and surrounding buildings and structures;
(4) Prevent additions to and alterations or remodeling of existing buildings, structures or uses in such a way as to avoid the restrictions and limitations lawfully imposed under this chapter; and
(5) Provide for administration of this code, defining the powers and duties of the administrative officers as provided hereinafter and prescribing penalties for the violation of provisions in this chapter or any amendment thereto.
(Ord. 80-0-24, passed 1-12-81)