(a) In general, the purpose of this Zoning Code is to promote and protect the public health, safety, convenience, comfort, prosperity and general welfare by regulating and limiting the use of land, areas and buildings and the erection, restoration, conversion and alteration of buildings and additions thereto and the use of land for residential purposes; to regulate the area and dimensions of land, yards, setbacks, and open spaces so as to secure adequate areas for water supply and to prevent the pollution thereof; to enhance the taxable value of land and buildings throughout the Village; to avoid congestion by the regulation of the density of population; to regulate and restrict the bulk, height, design, percent of lot occupancy and the location of buildings; to assure the orderly and beneficial development of land and to provide an orderly plan for the economical and best use of public facilities, such as future water supply and distribution systems, sewage collection and disposal systems.
(b) More specifically, but without limitation of the general purpose hereinbefore set forth, the purpose of this Zoning Code is to:
(1) Preserve the character of the community.
(2) Provide for some grouping of one-family dwellings and to thereby preserve the value of lands and buildings to better insure the future against burdens of taxation.
(3) Provide a plan which will result in the use of lands in the Village in accordance with a mode of life compatible with its topography, location with respect to other communities and with its existing and contemplated character.
(4) Provide for the creation of a variety of designs in architecture by so districting the Village as to give a choice to owners and prospective owners with respect thereto.
(5) Plan the Village future growth and its economic, social and cultural well being in a manner compatible with the natural phenomena by establishing districts whereby the natural topography and attributes of the area in each district will be best utilized, thereby minimizing the waste of lands.
(6) Preserve areas for conservation of natural resources, such as underground water supplies, woods, lakes and streams, and prevent unnatural erosion of lands resulting from unplanned and promiscuous use solely for the purpose of providing building sites without regard to the future general welfare of the Village.
(7) Provide for a community having a similarity of interests to the end that the economic base of the Village will be stabilized and thereby avoid excessive costs in local government resulting from excessive amount of public roads, streets and highways.
(8) Make provisions so as to avoid unnecessary capital outlay for public utilities such as water distribution and sewage collection systems.
(9) Pursue and encourage the preservation and conservation of open space in the Village by promoting development in a manner planned to harmonize with natural surroundings, for the purpose of, but not limited to, the following:
A. Maintaining a living unit density consistent with Village tradition and the ability of the environment to absorb increased development;
B. Protecting and preserving the value, appearance and use of property through the preservation of the historic character and lifestyle consistent with the development of the Village;
C. Maintaining quality development;
D. Preserving the aesthetic value of scenic open space within the Village;
E. Preserving wildlife habitat and valuable hydrologic systems; and,
F. Promoting the continuation of agricultural activity.
(10) Establish a public policy which encourages the preservation of open space, to encourage private strategies preserving and conserving open space in the Village by and through the creation of scenic and other easements, gifts of land, deed restrictions and other private preservation and conservation strategies.
(Ord. 2011-14. Passed 4-9-12.)