The regulations and requirements herein set forth have been made in accordance with a comprehensive plan, with reasonable consideration, among other things, to the prevailing land uses, growth characteristics, and the character of the respective districts and their peculiar suitability for particular uses and to encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout the city.

3.1.1.1 Minimum requirements. In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this ordinance shall be the minimum requirements to promote the public health, safety, morals and general welfare, and to protect the character and maintain the stability of residential, commercial, manufacturing, agricultural, educational, cultural, and recreational areas within the city.

3.1.1.2 Interpretation of provisions. In interpreting and applying the provisions of this ordinance, they shall be held to the minimum requirements for the promotion of the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare to the community. It is not intended by this ordinance to interfere with, abrogate, or annul any lawful easements, covenants, or other agreements between parties; provided, however, that, where this ordinance imposes a greater restriction upon the use of buildings or premises than is imposed or required by other resolutions, rules, regulations, or by lawful easements, covenants or agreements, the provisions of this ordinance shall control.

3.1.1.2.1 Police powers. Among other purposes, the provisions herein are intended to provide adequate light, air, privacy, and access to property, to enhance the aesthetic appeal and features of the city and to avoid undue concentration of population by regulating and limiting the height and bulk of buildings, the size of open spaces surrounding buildings, storage and materials of personal property or any commercial activity, to establish building lines, to divide the area of the city into districts restricting and regulating therein the construction, reconstruction, alteration, and use of buildings, structures, and land for residential, commercial, manufacturing, agriculture, educational, cultural, recreational, and other specified uses, and to limit congestion in the public streets by providing off-street parking of motor vehicles, and to define the powers and duties of the various administrative officers and boards within the city as those officers and boards deal with land development.

3.1.1.2.2 Prohibited uses. The district regulations contained in this article are to be construed so as to prohibit those uses which are not specifically listed as permitted uses or special exceptions within the districts, except for those districts in which a designated board may determine that certain other uses are similar to and compatible with the permitted uses listed within such district.

3.1.1.3 Existing zoning. Property which, on the effective date of this ordinance, has a zoning classification which differs from that provided for in these regulations, may continue to be developed in accordance with the pre-existing zoning classification until such property is rezoned by the city or the property owner to a classification contained within these regulations.