(a)

Intent and purpose.

(1)

These regulations are intended to promote the orderly development and redevelopment of the City of Winter Park, Florida, in accordance with the official comprehensive plan and the other component portions of the Land Development Code.

(2)

The city is primarily a residential community but has the elements of a true city. The primary goals of the city, upon which the comprehensive plan was developed, are to preserve the natural beauty, pleasant environment and unique character of the city; to retain the quality of our existing residential neighborhoods by encouraging the residents to maintain and improve their property and protect these areas from the encroachment of detrimental and noncompatible land uses; and to insure that future residential areas are well planned and provided with full and adequate urban services. The intent of this zoning article is to insure that these goals are pursued and to insure that other necessary and desired land uses are located and regulated to encourage the development of the city toward the city's adopted goals.

(3)

This article is also adopted for the following purposes:

a.

To promote and protect the public health, safety, comfort, morals, and general welfare;

b.

To secure adequate light, pure air, privacy, and convenience of access to property;

c.

To regulate and limit the heights and size of buildings, to regulate and limit the intensity of use of lot areas, to regulate and determine the areas of open spaces between buildings, to classify, regulate and restrict the location of trades and industries and the location of buildings designed for specified industrial, business, residential and other uses;

d.

To protect against fire, panic, explosion, noxious fumes and other dangers;

e.

To secure clean waterways and other public bodies of water and to protect public land and conservation areas;

f.

To promote a wholesome, serviceable and attractive city, increase the safety and security of home life, and preserve and create a more favorable living environment;

g.

Encourage the redevelopment and renewal of blighted areas;

h.

Encourage the elimination or reduction of uses inconsistent with the city's character and future land uses;

i.

Discourage the proliferation of urban sprawl;

j.

Ensure the availability of suitable land for utilities necessary to support proposed development;

k.

Ensure the protection of natural resources, the natural environment and designated historically significant resources, structures and properties; and

l.

Relate future growth and future land uses appropriately with topography, soil conditions and the availability of facilities and services;

m.

Ensure smooth and orderly land use transition;

n.

Ensure infill development is compatible with surrounding properties.

(4)

This general statement of the goals, intent and purpose of this article includes, among others, the specific purposes set forth in the preamble to the respective districts and groups of districts.

(5)

The city has developed over the years as a city with a unique character and environment. Since a primary goal of the city is to retain this environment as much as possible, this article must impose certain extraordinary restrictions on the use of land within the corporate limits of the city to insure that future development is in keeping with the existing development.

(6)

The regulations and requirements herein set forth have been made in accordance with the city's comprehensive plan, adopted pursuant to F.S. ch. 163 and applicable rules of the state department of community affairs. In the preparation of the comprehensive plan, reasonable consideration has been given to, among other things, the prevailing land uses, growth characteristics and the character of respective districts and their peculiar suitability for particular uses, and the encouragement of the most appropriate use of land throughout the city.

(b)

Official zoning map.

(1)

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 part of this article.

(2)

The official zoning map shall be identified by the signature of the mayor, attested by the city clerk and bearing the seal of the city under the following words: "This is to certify that this is the Official Zoning Map of the City of Winter Park, Florida."

(3)

If in accordance with the provisions of these zoning regulations 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 commission.

(4)

No changes of any nature shall be made in the official zoning map or matter shown thereon except in conformity with the procedures set forth in this article. Any unauthorized change of whatever kind by any person or persons shall be considered a violation of this article.

(5)

Regardless of the existence of purported copies of the official zoning map which may from time to time be made or published, the official zoning map which shall be located in city hall shall be the final authority as to the correct zoning status of land and water areas, buildings and other structures in the city.

(c)

Replacement and updating of official zoning map.

(1)

The city commission may by ordinance adopt a new official zoning map or amendments there to which shall supersede the prior official zoning map.

(2)

The official zoning map may be updated from time to time to approved amendments or to include any updates, 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.

(Ord. No. 2796-10, § 1(Exh. A), 2-22-10)