The intent of this chapter is to establish a precise and detailed plan for the use of land and buildings in the Borough of River Edge, based upon the adopted Land Use Element of the Master Plan. This chapter is enacted in order to promote and protect the health, safety and morals and general welfare of the public.

The Zoning Ordinance for the Borough of River Edge shall be considered a permissive ordinance. In no instance after the adoption of this chapter shall any use be permitted in the Borough of River Edge which is not listed as a permitted, accessory or conditional use specified herein.

Promote orderly development to protect and enhance the character of the Borough of River Edge through the regulation of the uses of land and lots within all zoning districts specified herein;

Regulate incompatible land uses and land use development and prohibit uses, buildings or structures which are not compatible with the character of the surrounding development or those uses permitted within the specified zoning districts;

Regulate the location of buildings and limit and restrict buildings and structures to designated districts designed for residential, commercial, public, open space or other uses, and specify standards to which such buildings or structures shall conform;

Regulate the modification, redesign, remodeling or general alteration of existing buildings or structures according to the limitations and criteria of this chapter;

Provide adequate light, air, open space and privacy and convenience of access to property;

Secure safety from fire, flood, panic and other dangers;

Prevent the overcrowding of land and buildings and avoid undue concentrations of population;

Encourage the design and location of streets, roads and rights-of-way which will limit traffic congestion and provide for the off-street parking of all motor vehicles and for the loading and unloading of all commercial vehicles; and

Conserve the value of property and encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout the community;

To promote a desirable visual environment through creative development techniques and good civic design and arrangements;

To promote the conservation of historic sites and districts, open space, energy resources and valuable natural resources in the Borough and to prevent urban sprawl and the degradation of the environment through improper use of land;

To encourage planned unit developments which incorporate the best features of design and relate the type, design and layout of residential, commercial, industrial and recreational development of the particular land;

To encourage senior citizen community housing construction;

To encourage coordination of the various public and private procedures and activities shaping land development with a view of lessening the cost of such development and to the more efficient use of land;

To promote the use of renewable energy resources; and

To promote the maximum practicable recovery and recycling of recyclable materials from municipal solid waste through the use of planning practices designed to incorporate the State Recycling Plan goals and to complement municipal programs.