§ 58-2. Purpose.

(a)

The purpose of these regulations shall be to:

(1)

Conserve open land, including those areas containing unique and sensitive natural features such as forestlands, steep slopes, streams, floodplains and wetlands, by setting them aside from development;

(2)

Provide design flexibility and efficiency in the siting of services and infrastructure;

(3)

Reduce erosion and sedimentation by the retention of existing vegetation, and the minimization of development on steep slopes;

(4)

Provide alternative lot sizes to accommodate a variety of age and income groups, and broader residential preferences, so that the community's population diversity may be enhanced;

(5)

Implement adopted land use and development policies, as contained in the town's land use plan, which may be revised from time to time;

(6)

Protect areas with productive agricultural soils for continued or future agricultural use by conserving blocks of land large enough to allow for efficient farm operations;

(7)

Create neighborhoods with direct visual access to open land, with amenities in the form of neighborhood conservation lands, and with a strong neighborhood identity;

(8)

Provide for the conservation and maintenance of open land within the town to achieve the aforementioned purposes and for active or passive recreational use by residents;

(9)

Provide multiple options for landowners in order to minimize impacts on environmental resources (sensitive lands such as wetlands, floodplains, and steep slopes) and disturbance of natural or cultural features such as mature forestlands, hedgerows and tree lines, critical wildlife habitats, historic sites, and fieldstone walls;

(10)

Provide standards reflecting the varying circumstances and interests of individual landowners, and the individual characteristics of their properties;

(11)

Conserve scenic views and the town's residential character, and to minimize visual density, by minimizing views of new development from existing roads;

(12)

Regulate the height, number of stories, and size of buildings and other structures; the percentage of lot that may be occupied; the location and use of buildings; structures and land for trade and residence, and other purposes, so as to lessen congestion in the streets;

(13)

Secure safety from fire, panic and other dangers; to promote the public health, safety and general welfare; to provide adequate light and air;

(14)

Prevent overcrowding of land;

(15)

Promote economy in governmental expenditures; and

(16)

Encourage the most appropriate use of land, buildings, and other structures within the area of jurisdiction of this chapter.

(b)

The zoning districts and maps have been made with due consideration of future growth, development, and change in land development according to objectives expressed in the land development plan for the development of the community, as well as with due consideration of existing development and uses of land within the town.

(c)

These regulations and districts represent reasonable consideration of the character of the districts and their peculiar suitability for particular uses of land and have been made with a view to preserving the existing environment, and assuring the development of a future environment that realizes the most appropriate use and enjoyment of land throughout the town. This is balanced against the necessary protection of the values of buildings and land and the use and enjoyment of land on adjacent properties, and with the objective of promoting and protecting the public welfare through the regulation of land use and the process of land development.

(Ord. No. 87-04-08, § 1.4, 4-8-1987; Ord. No. O-2006-01, 2-13-2006)