This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "The Paragould Zoning Ordinance" and may be cited as such.

(Ord. No. 99-4, § 1.0, 3-22-1999)

Act 186 of 1957, as amended by Act 128 of 1959, Act 36 of 1963, Act 134 of 1965, Act 138 of 1965, Act 66 of 1967, and Act 379 of 1969, of the General Assembly of the State of Arkansas, empowers the city to engage in municipal planning, to adopt plans and ordinances to regulate land-use and development practices, and to provide for the administration, enforcement, and amendment thereof.

(Ord. No. 99-4, § 1.1, 3-22-1999)

The principal functions of each of the entities authorized to administer this chapter are as follows:

(1)

The board of zoning adjustment is authorized, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, to hear appeals from the decision of the administrative officers in respect to the enforcement and application of said ordinance; and may affirm or reverse, in whole or in part, said decision of the administrative officer. In addition, literal provisions of the zoning ordinance in instances where strict enforcement of the zoning ordinance would cause undue hardship due to circumstances unique to the individual property under consideration, and grant such variances only when it is demonstrated that such action will be in keeping with the spirit and intent of the provisions of the zoning ordinance. The board of zoning adjustment may impose conditions in the granting of a variance to ensure compliance and to protect adjacent property.

(2)

The planning commission is authorized pursuant to the provisions of Act 186 of the Arkansas Acts of 1957, as amended, to secure the benefits to the public of a coordinated, adjusted and harmonious development of the City of Paragould, to promote the health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity and general welfare of the citizens thereof and shall make recommendations on planning issues and report to the mayor and city council concerning the operation of the commission and status of planning within its jurisdiction.

(Ord. No. 99-4, § 1.2, 3-22-1999)

The zoning regulations set forth herein are enacted to implement the land use portion of the land development plan and the transportation elements of the master street plan for the City of Paragould and to promote, in accordance with present and future needs, the safety, order, convenience, prosperity, to ensure the coordinated, adjusted, and harmonious development and general welfare of the citizens of Paragould, Arkansas, and to provide for efficiency and economy in the process of development for the appropriate and best use of land, for the use and occupancy of buildings, for healthful and convenient distribution of population, for good civic design and arrangement, and for adequate public utilities and facilities.

The City Planning Commission of Paragould, Arkansas, having made a comprehensive study of present conditions and of the probable future growth of the city and its neighboring territory and having prepared and adopted a land development plan, finds that these regulations carry out the intent of the land development plan and promote, in accordance with present and future needs, the public safety, order, convenience, efficiency, and economy; allow for convenience in population distribution, good civic design, and arrangement; and ensure adequate provisions for public utilities and other public improvements.

(Ord. No. 99-4, § 1.3, 3-22-1999)

For the purposes herein before stated, the city has been divided into zone districts in which the regulations contained herein will govern lot coverage; the height, area, bulk, location, and size of buildings; open space, parking requirements, and the uses of land, buildings, and structures. In interpreting and applying the provisions of this zoning ordinance, they shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of public health, safety, comfort, convenience, and general welfare.

Except as hereinafter otherwise provided, no land shall be used and no building, structure or improvement shall be made, erected, constructed, moved, altered, enlarged, or rebuilt which is designed, arranged, or intended to be used or maintained for any purpose or in any manner except in accordance with the requirements established in the district in which such land, building, structure, or improvement is located, and in accordance with the provisions of the sections contained herein relating to any or all districts.

No proposed plat of any new subdivision of land shall hereafter be considered for approval by the city planning commission unless the lots within such plat equal or exceed the minimum size and area regulations specified in the applicable zoning district of the ordinance.

(Ord. No. 99-4, § 1.4, 3-22-1999)