The Village of Ontonagon declares, by reference to the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act declarations (Act 110 of 2006, as amended), that the purposes of this Ordinance are to:

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Promote the public health, safety, and general welfare;

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Meet the needs of the state's residents for food, fiber, energy, and other natural resources, places of residence, recreation, industry, trade, service and other uses of land;

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Ensure that uses of land are situated in appropriate locations and relationships;

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Limit the inappropriate overcrowding of land and congestion of population, transportation systems, and other public facilities;

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Facilitate the adequate and efficient provision of transportation systems, sewage disposal, energy, solid waste disposal, drainage, public water supply, education, recreation and other public service and facility requirements.

This Ordinance is also intended to:

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Make it possible for the Village to retain its distinctive natural features and visual character derived from its location and climate, including topography, landscape, hydrographic features, and shoreline.

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Advance the interests of both conservation and development while responding to existing conditions, regional context, natural features, infrastructure considerations, and existing buildings;

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Preserve traditional neighborhoods, historic resources, and public access to the natural environment;

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Conserve energy and better serve diverse population needs through land use patterns and transportation connectedness that encourage walking, bicycling, and transit use;

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Increase the utilization of "green infrastructure" such as trees and other vegetation to improve community aesthetics, buffer uses, improve stormwater management, and assist in mitigating adverse winter climate conditions;

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Maintain the preeminence of the Village Downtown core for the area's economic, civic, and cultural activities;

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To make possible more mixed-use development opportunities in the Village so that civic, institutional, and commercial activity is embedded appropriately within neighborhoods and not separated into single-use complexes;

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To re-orient the Village's commercial corridors with mixed-use, walkable activity clusters easily accessible from the surrounding neighborhoods.

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Increase density where it is most advantageous close to shopping and employment centers so that the ordinary activities of daily living can occur within walking distance of most dwellings, allowing independence for those who do not drive;

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Encourage infill and redevelopment of existing structures and properties where public infrastructure and services are already available;

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Distribute affordable housing and diverse housing types throughout the Village to match job opportunities and accommodate diverse ages and incomes;

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Accommodate vehicles while respecting pedestrians and spatial forms of public space;

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Support a transportation framework that provides alternatives to automobile use;

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Locate civic buildings and gathering places to reinforce community identity and strengthen public participation;

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Allow inhabitants to experience the geography and climate most efficiently with energy efficient design.

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Protect critical water resources from adverse impacts through judicious land use regulation in proximity to water resources, and through appropriate buffering and performance standards.

The Districts and other provisions of this Ordinance are also based upon the Future Land Use Map and policies of the Ontonagon Village Master Plan of 2007, and upon the Michigan Planning Enabling Act (Act 33 of 2008). By reference to these documents, the intent of this Ordinance is to regulate the use of land and structures to:

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Accomplish development that is coordinated, adjusted, harmonious, efficient, and economical

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Promote efficiency in the expenditure of funds for public improvements and services while preventing the overburdening of public facilities

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Adequately provide for a system of transportation to lessen congestion on streets

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Provide adequate light and air, and protect air and water quality

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Provide for the healthful and convenient distribution of population

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Reduce hazards to life and property due to fire, flooding, erosion, pollution, or excessive dust, fumes, smoke, noise, vibration, noxious odors or other hazards

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Prevent nuisances and preserve quality of life

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Encourage the use of lands and resources in accordance with their character and adaptability

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Conserve natural resources and energy and protect the quality of the natural environment

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Provide for good civic design and arrangement

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Guide and accomplish development that considers the character of the Village and its suitability for particular purposes, judged in terms of such factors as trends in land and population development.

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Support the desired character of the community, such as the human scale and small town feel of Downtown Ontonagon

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Preserve existing neighborhoods and housing stock

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Enhance and protect property values

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Support better access to and utilization of the waterfront

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Expand opportunities for retail development that will contribute to a vibrant Downtown

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Utilize the rail yard and back of buildings along the river in Downtown

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Zone land on the corridor to reinforce Downtown's role as the commercial center for the region

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Focus corridor development near the existing commercial node so as not to create a continuous commercial strip pattern

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Implement access management standards along the highway corridor

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Implement the Aesthetic Enhancement Plan for the highway corridor

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Utilize design solutions to improve traffic flow through interconnected parking areas