Pursuant to the laws of the United States of America, the State of New York and the Town of Cortlandt and the authority and power granted by Article 16 of the Town Law of the State of New York, the purpose of this chapter is to promote the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the community by establishing regulations and restrictions with respect to height, number of stories and size of buildings and other structures, the percentage of lot that may be occupied, the sizes of yards and other open spaces, the density of population and the location and use of structures and land.

The regulations contained herein have been made in accordance with a comprehensive plan (the 1991 Master Plan) and have been designed to lessen congestion in the streets; to secure safety from fire, flood, panic and other dangers; to promote health and general welfare; to provide adequate light and air; to prevent the overcrowding of land; to avoid undue concentration of population; and to facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public requirements. Such regulations have been made with reasonable consideration, among other things, as to the character of the districts and their peculiar suitability for particular uses and with a view to conserving the value of buildings and encouraging the most appropriate use of land throughout the Town.

The Town Board recognizes that all policies of the 1991 Master Plan are not implemented by this chapter and that full implementation of the Master Plan will require extensive time, study and deliberation. Nonetheless, the Town is committed to Master Plan policies, and any proposal for housing or other development which is presented to the Town and which is consistent with the Master Plan but not expressly provided for in this chapter will be given full consideration by the Town Board.