This ordinance shall be known as and may be cited and referred to as the “Zoning Ordinance.”

The zoning regulations and districts herein established have been made in accordance with a comprehensive zoning plan for the purpose of promoting health, safety, morals and the general welfare of the City. The regulations have been designed to lessen congestion in the streets; to secure safety from fire, panic and other dangers; to provide adequate light and air; to prevent the overcrowding of land; to avoid undue concentration of population; to facilitate adequate provision of transportation, water, sewage, schools, parks and other public requirements. They have been made with reasonable consideration, among other things, of the character of the district and its peculiar suitability for the particular uses and with a view of conserving the value of improvements and encouraging the most appropriate use of land throughout the community.

In interpreting and applying the provisions of this Ordinance, they shall be construed to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of the public safety, health, convenience, comfort, prosperity, or general welfare. It is not intended by this Ordinance to interfere with or abrogate or annul any easements, covenants, or other agreements between parties, provided however, that where the Ordinance imposes a greater restriction upon the use of buildings or premises or upon height of buildings or requires larger open spaces than are imposed or required by restrictive covenants, the provisions of this Ordinance shall govern.