This ordinance establishes comprehensive zoning regulations for City of Taylor, and provides for the administration, enforcement, and amendment of those regulations, in accordance with the provisions of the Michigan zoning enabling act (MCL 125.3101 et seq.), as amended. This ordinance shall be known and may be cited as the "City of Taylor Zoning Ordinance," the "zoning ordinance" or "this ordinance."

(Ord. No. 09-434, § 1.01, 1-20-2009)

The purpose of this ordinance is to promote and safeguard the public health, safety, morals, prosperity and general welfare of the people. The provisions are intended to:

(a)

Implement the recommendations of the City of Taylor Master Plan.

(b)

Regulate the intensity of land development to ensure compatibility among land uses and where applicable, provide transitions between land uses to reduce the negative physical and visual impact on adjacent properties.

(c)

Provide a solid residential base that will accommodate expansion of existing neighborhoods, protect residential areas from incompatible land uses, offer a variety of housing opportunities, and support the needs of the city's residents.

(d)

Protect the character and stability of residential properties, nonresidential uses and public amenities within the city and promote orderly development and/or redevelopment of these areas.

(e)

Provide commercial and office uses that offer a diversity of services for different target markets, are appropriately located for convenience and safety, and maximizes the design potential to create aesthetic business areas in the city that reflect the intended character of the area.

(f)

Provide an organized pattern of various industrial land uses that facilitates economic development, while properly minimizing negative impacts such as noise and truck traffic, is located away from residential areas, and reflects a quality design image of the city.

(g)

Promote development and redevelopment of sites and buildings that fulfill the city's land use goals and maximize the desirability of the city for future development.

(h)

Protect and enhance natural resources and maintain views into open spaces.

(i)

Incorporate open space elements into the land use pattern in a manner that creates an interconnected, unified system and provides green space, recreation, and/or protects sensitive natural features as applicable.

(j)

Preserve, protect, and enhance the integrity, economic viability and livability of the city's neighborhoods.

(k)

Improve the appearance and design quality of nonresidential development in the city.

(l)

Create a diversified and balanced mixture of land uses that will support the economic vitality, tax base and livability of the city.

(m)

Establish controls over incompatible land uses and minimize the hazards of high-impact uses on surrounding neighborhoods.

(n)

Preserve and improve the capacity and safety of the existing street system and provide for improvements to mitigate direct impacts of new development where possible.

(o)

Create a safe, balanced, and coordinated multimodal transportation system that is pedestrian friendly and is adequate to accommodate the current and future needs of the city.

(Ord. No. 09-434, § 1.02, 1-20-2009)

(a)

Where any provision of this ordinance imposes either greater or lesser restrictions, limitations, conditions, standards or requirements upon the use of buildings, structures or land; the height of buildings or structures; lot coverage; lot areas; yards, wetlands, woodlands or other open spaces; or any other use or activity which is regulated by this ordinance, the provision or standard which is more restrictive or limiting shall govern.

(b)

Where any graphic or table of this ordinance conflicts with the text of this ordinance, the text shall govern.

(c)

Except as otherwise provided in this section, every building and structure erected; every use of any lot, building or structure established; every structural alteration or relocation of an existing building or structure and every enlargement of, or addition to, an existing use, building or structure occurring after the effective date of this ordinance shall be subject to all regulations of this ordinance which are applicable in the zoning district in which such use, building or structure is located.

(d)

No setback area or lot existing at the time of adoption of this ordinance shall be reduced in dimensions or area below the minimum requirements set forth herein. Yards or lots created after the effective date of this ordinance shall meet at least the minimum requirements established herein.

(e)

The regulations established herein shall be the minimum for promoting and protecting the public health, safety and general welfare, any conflicting laws of a more restrictive nature shall supersede the appropriate provisions of this ordinance. Any uses or enterprises or purposes that are contrary to federal, state or local laws or ordinances are prohibited.

(Ord. No. 09-434, § 1.01, 1-20-2009; Ord. No. 10-448, § 1, 4-6-2010)

Nothing in this ordinance should be interpreted or construed to give rise to any permanent vested rights in the continuation of any particular use, district, zoning classification or any permissible activities therein; and, they are hereby declared to be subject to subsequent amendment, change or modification as may be necessary to the preservation or protection of public health, safety and welfare.

(Ord. No. 09-434, § 1.04, 1-20-2009)