CHAPTER 40

ZONING CODE

ARTICLE I - GENERAL PROVISIONS

40-1-1 PURPOSE. In accordance with State law, (65 ILCS Sec. 5/11- 13-1 et seq.), this Chapter regulates structures and land uses in order to preserve, protect, and promote the public health, safety and welfare through implementation of this Municipality’s comprehensive plan. More specifically, this Chapter is intended to assist in achieving the following objectives: (A) To encourage the development of and uses on appropriate sites in order to maximize community-wide social and economic benefits while accommodating the particular needs of all residents, and to discourage development on inappropriate sites; (B) To protect and enhance the character and stability of sound existing residential, commercial and industrial areas, and to gradually eliminate nonconforming uses and structures; (C) To conserve and increase the value of taxable property throughout this Municipality; (D) To ensure the provision of adequate light, air and privacy for the occupants of all buildings; (E) To protect property from damage caused by fire, flooding, poorly controlled storm water runoff, and adverse soil and topographical conditions; (F) To provide adequate and well-designed parking and loading space for all buildings and uses, and to reduce vehicular congestion on the public streets and highways; (G) To guide the provision of water mains, sanitary sewers, storm water sewers, and other utilities and services, and to reduce the initial costs and future maintenance expenses thereof; (H) To provide for the efficient administration and fair enforcement of all the regulations set forth herein; and (I) To clearly and concisely explain the procedures for obtaining variances, special use permits, amendments, and the like.

40-1-2 JURISDICTION. This Chapter shall be applicable within the corporate limits of this Municipality. (See 65 ILCS Sec. 5/11-13-1)

40-1-3 INTERPRETATION, CONFLICT WITH OTHER ORDINANCES. Every provision of this Chapter shall be construed liberally in favor of this Municipality, and every requirement imposed herein shall be deemed minimal. Whenever the

requirements of this Chapter differ from the requirements of any other lawfully adopted ordinance, regulation, deed restriction, or covenant, the more stringent requirement shall prevail.

40-1-4 DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY. (A) Except as may be provided otherwise by statute or ordinance, no officer, board member, agent or employee of this Municipality shall render himself personally liable for any damage that may accrue to persons or property as a result of any act required or permitted in the discharge of his duties under this Chapter. [See “Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act”, 745 ILCS Sec. 10/1-101.] (B) Any suit brought against any officer, board member, agent, or employee of this Municipality, as a result of any act required or permitted in the discharge of his duties under this Chapter, shall be defended by the Municipal Attorney until the final determination of the legal proceedings.

40-1-5 SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Chapter is declared unconstitutional or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, that decision shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this Chapter.

ARTICLE II - DEFINITIONS

40-2-1 CONSTRUCTION OF TERMS. In construing the intended meaning of terminology used in this Chapter, the following rules shall be observed: (A) Words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in Section 40-2-2, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise; terms not defined in Section 40-2-2 shall have their standard English dictionary meanings. (B) Words denoting the masculine gender shall be deemed to include the feminine and neuter genders. (C) Words used in the present tense shall include the future tense. (D) Words used in the singular number shall include the plural number, and the plural the singular. (E) The term "shall" is manda