To promote and to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the inhabitants of Marlborough, Connecticut, and of the public generally;

To encourage and facilitate the orderly growth and expansion of the municipality with consideration of the Town Plan of Development so that development is managed to a degree that is commensurate with the ability of the Town to provide necessary public facilities and services;

To prevent the overcrowding of the land;

To avoid undue concentration of population and to facilitate the adequate provision for transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public requirements;

To protect the character and maintain the stability of residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas within the Town;

To provide adequate light, air, privacy and convenience of access to property;

To divide the Town into zoning districts, restricting and regulating therein the location, construction, reconstruction, alteration and use of buildings, structures and land for residential, commercial, industrial and other uses;

To control the height, size and location of signs;

To establish building lines and the location of buildings designed for uses within such lines;

To provide uses, buildings or structures which are compatible with the character of development of the permitted uses within specified zoning districts;

To regulate additions to and alterations or remodeling of existing buildings or structures which do not comply with the restrictions and limitations imposed hereinafter and to provide for the gradual elimination of the uses of land, buildings and structures which do not conform to the standards of the zoning districts in which they are located;

To encourage efficient circulation in, and lessen congestion on, the public streets by providing for off-street parking of motor vehicles and for the loading and unloading of commercial vehicles;

To provide protection against fire, panic, flood, explosion, noxious fumes, and other dangers;

To define and limit the powers and duties of the administrative officers and bodies as provided herein;

To assure that proper provisions are made for sedimentation control and the control of erosion caused by wind or water;

To conserve and protect the natural resources of the Town, to include: the soil, water, air, wetlands, watercourses, trees, forests, aquifers, groundwater, wildlife and areas of scenic, cultural or ecological significance;

To encourage the development of housing opportunities for all citizens of the municipality consistent with soil types, terrain and infrastructure capacity; and

To protect existing and potential public surface water and groundwater drinking supplies.