This Land Development Ordinance has been designed as a comprehensive set of regulations dealing with the development of land, providing a single course of regulations for landowners, land developers, citizens and elected and appointed officials of the Town of Bedford.

The purposes of this article are: (1) to provide for adequate light, air, convenience of access, and safety from fire, flood, impounding structure failure, crime, and other dangers; (2) to reduce or prevent congestion in the public streets; (3) to facilitate the creation of a convenient, attractive, and harmonious community; (4) to expedite the provision of adequate police and fire protection, disaster, evacuation, civil defense, transportation, water, sewerage, flood protection, schools, parks, forest, playgrounds, recreational facilities, airports, and other public requirements; (5) to protect against destruction of or encroachment upon historic areas; (6) to protect against one or more of the following: overcrowding of land, undue density of population in relation to the community facilities existing or available, obstruction of light and air, danger and congestion in travel and transportation, or loss of life, health, or property from fire, flood, impounding structure failure, panic, or other dangers; (7) to encourage economic development activities that provide desirable employment and enlarge the tax base; (8) to provide for the preservation of agricultural and forestal lands and other lands of significance for the protection of the natural environment; (9) to allow for the provision within the town of a supply of safe, sanitary housing, in suitable residential environments, with a balance and variety of types adapted to the age groups, family structures, and income levels of present and future residents of the town, and in sufficient quantity to meet the needs of those now living or desiring to live within the town; (10) to provide reasonable modifications in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. § 12131 et seq.) or state and federal fair housing laws, as applicable.

(Ord. No. 24-2, 3-12-2024)

State Law reference— Va. Code § 15.2-2283.

It is not the intent of this Land Development Ordinance to exclude any economic, racial, religious or ethnic group from enjoyment of residence, land ownership, or tenancy within the town; nor is it the intent of this Land Development Ordinance to use public powers in any way to promote the separation within the town of economic, racial, religious, or ethnic groups, except as may be the incidental result of meeting the purposes outlined in section 201 herein.

(Ord. No. 24-2, 3-12-2024)