This Zoning Code shall be known as the “Zoning Ordinance of the Village of Mount Gilead, Morrow County, Ohio,” and may be cited as the “Zoning Ordinance” or just the “Zoning Code.”

(Ord. 1130. Passed 2-1-88; Ord. 1584. Passed 9-17-07.)

   The provisions in this Zoning Code were originally adopted by Ordinance 1054, passed December 2, 1985. Subsequent amendments are reflected in legislative histories which are footnoted following the amended sections.

(Ord. 1584. Passed 9-17-07.)

   This Zoning Code is adopted for the purpose of improving and protecting the public health, safety, convenience, comfort, prosperity, and general welfare of residents of the Village. To this end, this Zoning Code seeks to:

   (a)   Enhance the quality of life in the Village by making it a more attractive place to live;

   (b)   Establish an organized procedure to guide the future development of residential, business and industrial areas;

   (c)   Zone all land in the Village with a view to conserving property values and encouraging the most appropriate use of land throughout the Village;

   (d)   Encourage economic growth by providing business and industry areas in which to locate and expand;

   (e)   Protect all areas of the Village from harmful encroachment by incompatible uses;

   (f)   Establish adequate standards for the provision of light, air and open spaces;

   (g)   Prevent the overcrowding of land and undue concentration of population, thereby preventing the development of blight and deterioration;

   (h)   Lessen congestion in the public streets;

   (i)   Foster a desirable pattern of relationships among residential, commercial, industrial and other uses for the mutual benefit of all types of development;

   (j)   Facilitate the provision of water, sewerage, schools and other public requirements; and

   (k)   Isolate and manage the location of unavoidable nuisance producing uses.

(Ord. 1130. Passed 2-1-88; Ord. 1584. Passed 9-17-07.)

   In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this Zoning Code shall be held to be minimum requirements, adopted for the promotion of the purposes stated herein.

(Ord. 1130. Passed 2-1-88; Ord. 1584. Passed 9-17-07.)

   Whenever the requirements of this Zoning Code are at variance with the requirements of any other lawfully adopted rules, regulations, ordinances or resolutions, the requirements which are most restrictive, or which impose the higher standard, shall govern.

(Ord. 1130. Passed 2-1-88; Ord. 1584. Passed 9-17-07.)

   (a)   The regulations set forth by this chapter within each district shall be minimum regulations and shall apply uniformly to each class or kind of structure or land except as hereinafter provided:

      (1)   No building, structure or land shall hereafter be used or occupied and no building or structure or part thereof shall hereafter be erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved or structurally altered unless in conformity with all of the regulations herein specified for the district in which it is located.

      (2)   No building or other structure shall hereafter be erected or altered: to exceed the height; to accommodate or house a greater number of families; to occupy a greater percentage of lot area; to have narrower or smaller rear yards, front yards, side yards or other open spaces; or in any other manner contrary to the provisions of this chapter.

   (b)   No yard or lot existing at the time of passage of this chapter shall be reduced in dimension or area below the minimum requirements set forth herein. Yards or lots created after the effective date of this chapter shall meet at least the minimum requirements established by this chapter.

(Ord. 1054. Passed 12-2-85; Ord. 1584. Passed 9-17-07.)

   If any article, section, clause, provision or portion of this Zoning Code shall be held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect any other section, clause, provision or portion of this Zoning Code which is not in itself invalid or unconstitutional.

(Ord. 1130. Passed 2-1-88; Ord. 1584. Passed 9-17-07.)