The city is hereby divided into zones, or districts, as shown on the official zoning map, which, together with all explanatory matter thereon, is hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this ordinance.

The official zoning maps shall be identified by certification and bear the seal of the city under the following words: "This is to certify that this is the Official Zoning Map referred to in Article Three of Ordinance Number 1981-22 of the City of Princeton, State of Indiana," together with the date of adoption of this ordinance. Certification should be by the signature of the mayor, and attested by the city clerk.

If, in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance and Chapter 174, Acts of 1947, as amended for cities and towns, changes are made in district boundaries or other matter portrayed on the official zoning map, such changes shall be entered on the official zoning map promptly after the amendment has been approved by the city council with an entry on the official zoning map as follows: On (day, month & year) by official action of the City Council, the following changes were made on the Official Zoning Map: _____ _____ , which entry shall be signed by the president of the planning commission and attested by the city clerk. No changes of any nature shall be made on the official zoning map or matter shown thereon except in conformity with the procedures set forth in this ordinance. Any unauthorized change of any kind by a person or persons shall be considered a violation of this ordinance and punishable as provided under section 11.50 of this ordinance.

Regardless of the existence of purported copies of the official zoning map which from time to time may be published, the official zoning map shall be located in the office of the clerk-treasurer, city building. It shall be the authority as to the current zoning status of land and water areas in the city.

In the event that the official zoning map becomes damaged, destroyed, lost or difficult to interpret because of the nature or number of changes and additions, the city council may by resolution adopt a new official zoning map which shall supersede the prior official zoning map. The new official zoning map may correct drafting or other errors or omissions in the prior official zoning map, but no such correction shall have the effect of amending the original official zoning map or any subsequent amendment thereof. The official zoning map shall be identified by the signature of the president of the city plan commission, attested by the city clerk and bearing the seal of the city under the following words: "This is to certify that this Official Zoning Map supersedes and replaces the Official Zoning Map adopted _______ as part of Ordinance Number _______ of the City of Princeton, Indiana.["] Unless the prior Official Zoning Map has been lost, or has been totally destroyed, the prior map or any significant parts thereof remaining, shall be preserved, together with all available records pertaining to its adoption or amendment in the office of the clerk-treasurer.

Where uncertainty exists with respect to the boundaries of districts as shown on the official zoning map, the following rules shall apply:

1.

Boundaries indicated as approximately following the center lines of thoroughfares or highways, street lines or highway right-of-way lines, or alleys shall be construed to follow such center lines.

2.

Boundaries indicated as approximately following platted lot lines shall be construed as following such lot line.

3.

Boundaries indicated as approximately following city limits shall be construed as following such city limits.

4.

Boundaries indicated as following railroad lines shall be construed to be midway between the main tracks.

5.

Boundaries indicated as approximately following the center lines of streams, rivers, or other bodies of water shall be construed to follow such center lines.

6.

Boundaries indicated as approximately following floodplain lines shall be construed to follow such contour lines. (In addition to the boundaries shown on the zone maps the boundary of minor ditches and streams shall be designated as being at least five vertical feet or 100 horizontal feet from the edge of the water, whichever is the greater distance. In this case, a stream, river or creek shall be defined as one which flows at least 180 days of the year. Further, it is advised that the banks and at least ten feet beyond, be left in as natural a state as possible.)

7.

Boundaries indicated as parallel to or extensions of features indicated in subsections 1 through 6 above shall be so controlled. Distances not specifically indicated on the official zoning map shall be determined by the scale of the map.

8.

Where physical or cultural features existing on the ground are at variance with those shown as the official zoning map, or in other circumstances not covered by subsections 1 through 5 above, the board of zoning appeals shall interpret the boundaries.

9.

Where a district boundary line divides a lot which was in single ownership at the time of passage of this ordinance, the board of zoning appeals may permit, as a special exception, the extension of the regulations for either portion of the lot not to exceed 50 feet beyond the district line into the remaining portion of the lot.

All land annexed to the city subsequent to the adoption of this ordinance shall remain subject to the previous county zoning district, if any, until such time as the official zoning map is amended according to the provisions of Article VI. All land annexed to the city which, prior to annexation, is not subject to county zoning, shall have the highest zoning classification of the city until the official zoning map is amended according to the provisions of Article VI.

The following zoning districts are hereby established for the City of Princeton, Indiana. For the interpretation of this ordinance, the zoning districts have been formulated to realize the general purposes as set forth in the preamble of this ordinance. In addition, the specific purpose of each zoning district shall be as stated.

Residential districts are established to meet the purpose set forth in sections 6.10—6.15 inclusive.

The purpose of the SR district is to permit some degree of development in the rural areas where public utilities are not available. By placing a maximum density of one dwelling per acre on this district, problems may be alleviated.

The purpose of this district is to encourage medium—low density residential single-and two-family dwellings but not to exceed four dwelling units per gross acre. Centralized water and sewer facilities are required.

The purpose of this district is to permit the establishment of medium density two-family and multiple-family dwellings not to exceed eight dwelling units per gross acre. This district is also designed to permit larger, older homes to be converted to two or more dwelling units. Centralized water and sewer facilities are required.

The purpose of the R-32 district is to allow high-density residential apartment buildings. The major restriction is that there are not more than 32 dwelling units per acre. It must abut a major collector or arterial street or as specified by the board of public works and safety of the city or the Indiana State Highway Commission. Centralized water and sewer facilities are required.

The purpose of the RMH district is to encourage the development of well-planned mobile home parks. Such districts shall abut upon a major arterial or collector street. Mobile home parks shall comply with all state regulations as well as those specified in Article IV of this ordinance.

Business districts are established to meet the purpose set forth in section 6.16—6.21 inclusive.

The purpose of the PRO district is to encourage the practice of grouping the offices of such uses as professional, research, executive, administrative, accounting, clerical and similar uses. All of these are uses which would not conflict drastically with a residential use. For this reason, the PRO would best be located as a buffer between more intensive nonresidential areas (industry, shopping centers, etc.) and residential areas. Because these uses traditionally draw a large volume of traffic, they should be located adjacent to a major thoroughfare as designated by the Indiana State Highway Commission or the Princeton Department of Transportation.

The purpose of this district is to encourage the establishment of areas for convenience business uses which tend to meet the daily requirements of the residents of an immediate neighborhood. These districts will be very carefully and strategically located. Allowing specialized business in this district would defeat the purpose.

The purpose of the GB district is to encourage the establishment of areas for general business uses to meet the needs of a regional market area. Activities would include large space uses, such as department stores, service stations, specialty stores and the like. Shopping centers are good examples of types of uses in the GB district. Due to the scale, it is absolutely necessary that the GB districts be located on a major thoroughfare as specified by the state highway commission or the Princeton Department of Transportation.

The purpose of the HB district is to encourage the establishment of areas for highway-type business uses only. This district is specifically designed to service the motoring public. Some examples would be motels, restaurants, or service stations. These districts are generally located at major highway intersections or interchanges.

The purpose of the CB district is to promote the further expansion and improvement of the core business area of Princeton. A large variety of uses including public, cultural, and even residential would be encouraged. The central business district is the center of a community.

The manufacturing districts are established to meet the purposes set forth in sections 6.22—6.24 inclusive.

The purpose of the M-1 district is to encourage the development of manufacturing and wholesale business establishments which are clean, quiet, and free of hazardous or objectionable elements, operate entirely within enclosed structures and generate little industrial traffic. This district is further designed to act as a transitional use between heavy manufacturing uses and less intensive uses such as business or residential.

The purpose of the M-2 district is to encourage the development of major manufacturing, processing, storage, warehousing and distribution, and major research and testing operations. These activities require extensive community facilities and reasonably good access to major thoroughfares and the interstate system. They may also have extensive open storage and service areas and my generate heavy industrial-type traffic (trucks, semis, etc.), but shall be prohibited if they create nuisances beyond the limitations of this ordinance.

(Ord. No. 1994-9, § 1, 7-18-94)

The environmental districts are established to meet the purposes set forth in sections 6.25—6.27 inclusive.

The purpose of the AG district is to preserve and protect the decreasing supply of prime agricultural land by controlling the indiscriminate infiltration of urban development into agricultural areas.

The purpose of the OS district is to provide areas for public and quasi-public uses, areas for recreation and conservation purposes, and areas suitable for noncommercial recreation.