These regulations may be referred to as the “Zoning Ordinance of the City of Le Mars, Iowa.” These regulations have been based upon the comprehensive plan for the City, which was adopted by the Council on March 20, 1962. Said comprehensive plan included estimates of population growth, land use surveys, a land use plan, plans for major thoroughfares, other transportation facilities, community facilities, public services and utilities, and a public works program.

1.   Need for public services and facilities in both size and location depends upon the character and intensity of land use. Regulation of the use of land is thus fundamental to a coordinated optimum physical development of the community. The land use regulations are intended to be the foundation of the entire process of improvement of the physical environment.

2.   The regulations are intended to preserve and protect existing property uses and values against adverse or unharmonious adjacent uses.

3.   The land use regulations divide the area into a number of zoning districts.

   A.   Because of poor drainage, steep slopes and other adverse natural conditions some land areas should be kept in their natural state. These would be placed in a conservation district.

   B.   The comprehensive plan included careful estimates of the land area requirements for the various land uses such as commerce, residence, industry, transportation and public uses. These urban uses should be directed into that land area where they may be most efficiently served by public services and facilities such as sewers, water, schools, parks, and the like. Remaining lands should be reserved for rural uses. Consequently, the regulations include a rural district for nonurban land uses.

   C.   In the past, residential neighborhoods have deteriorated because they were invaded by small isolated commercial uses and by more intensive residential uses. The great majority of our population desire to, and do, live in single-family homes which they own and which are located on fairly large lots. The regulations establish residential districts particularly designed to provide maximum protection for single-family homes.

   D.   Other residential districts are established for two-family homes and for apartments. Density, yard, and parking regulations would insure good living conditions in these areas. Much of the present day building is by large projects instead of lot by lot. The regulations provide for “large-scale developments” (two acres or more) which may be located in any residential district with approval of the site plan and with conformity of the plan to the overall density standards of the district. This introduces an important measure of flexibility into the regulations.

   E.   Commercial districts recognize the different types of commercial areas that will be needed by the future growth of the community. There is a zoning district for the neighborhood commercial area, i.e., the grocery store-drug store complex serving the adjacent residential neighborhoods. For the more widely used commercial areas along major streets and highways, there is a general commercial district. There is a central commercial district for the downtown area.

   F.   For industry there are three districts-a light industrial district for the modern organized industrial area with landscaped frontage yards and no open storage, a general industrial district which allows more freedom in the use of space and a heavy industrial district with its unrestricted use.

4.   It is not the law or policy of the City to disallow plans and specifications of a proposed residential structure solely because the proposed structure is a manufactured home as defined by Section 414.28 of the Code of Iowa and manufactured or constructed under the authority of 42 U.S.C. Section 5403. Further, the City shall not adopt or enforce zoning regulations or other ordinances which disallow the plans and specifications of a proposed residential structure solely because the proposed structure is a manufactured home. This statement of intent and purpose shall be construed as the adoption by the City of the requirements of said Section 414.28 of the Code of Iowa and the adoption of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act, 42 U.S.C. Sections 5401- 5426.