This ordinance shall be effective throughout the city and shall be known, referred to, and recited to as the “OFFICIAL ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA, KENTUCKY”.

   The zoning regulations and districts as herein set forth have been prepared in accordance with the adopted comprehensive plan for the city to promote the public health, safety, morals and general welfare of the city, to facilitate orderly and harmonious development and the visual or historical character of the city, and to regulate the density of population and intensity of land use in order to provide for adequate light and air. In addition, this ordinance has been prepared to provide for vehicle off-street parking and loading and/or unloading space, as well as to facilitate fire and police protection, and to prevent the overcrowding of land, blight, danger and congestion in the circulation of people and commodities, and the loss of life, health or property from fire, flood or other dangers. The zoning regulations and districts as herein set forth are also employed to protect highways, and other transportation facilities, public facilities, including schools and public grounds, the central business district, natural resources and other specific areas in the city which needs special protection by the city.

   The Mayor and City Council, in pursuance of the authority of KRS 100.111 through 100.991, hereby ordains and enacts into law the following articles and sections.

   The provisions of this ordinance shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of the public safety, health and general welfare. Where this ordinance imposes a greater restriction upon the buildings, structures or premises, upon heights of buildings or structures or requires larger open spaces than are imposed or required by any other ordinances, the provisions of this ordinance shall govern.

   All ordinances and parts of ordinances of the city in conflict herewith are hereby repealed; providing, however, that, such repeal shall not effect or prevent the prosecution or punishment of any person of any act done or committed in violation of any such ordinance and parts thereof hereby repealed prior to the effective date of this ordinance.

   Should any article, section, division, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance, for any reason, be held unconstitutional or invalid, such decision or holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions hereof. It being the intent of the city to enact each section, and portion thereof, individually, and each such section shall alone, if necessary, and be in force notwithstanding the invalidity of any such section or provision.

   Notwithstanding any other provisions of this ordinance or any other ordinances, rules, codes, permits or regulations of the city, if any permit or license is issued in violation of any provision of this ordinance or purports to authorize the doing of any act not permitted by any provision of the ordinance, said permit or license shall be void.

   The schedule of fees, charges and expenses shall be as adopted by the Planning Commission or, when applicable, city ordinance.