This Part 1 shall be known and may be cited and referred to as the "Borough of Ridgefield's Zoning Ordinance 1982," to the same effect as if the full title was stated.
[Amended 10-22-1984 by Ord. No. 1269]
The intent of this Part 1 is to establish a precise and detailed plan for the use of lands and buildings in the Borough of Ridgefield. It is the intention of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Ridgefield that this Part 1 shall serve as guidelines for an efficient and prompt enforcement by the Zoning Officer in order to maintain the existing character of structures. Three-family homes are not permitted.
The purpose of this Part 1 shall be as follows:
A. 
To guide the appropriate use or development of all lands in the Borough in a manner which will promote the public health, safety, morals and general welfare; to secure safety from fire, flood and panic and other natural and man-made disaster.
B. 
To provide adequate light, air and open space.
C. 
To ensure the harmonious development and general welfare of its neighboring municipalities, the county and the state as a whole.
D. 
To promote the establishment of appropriate population densities and concentrations that will contribute to the well-being of persons, neighborhoods, communities and regions and the preservation of the environment.
E. 
To provide sufficient space in appropriate locations for a variety of residential, recreational, commercial and industrial uses and open space, both public and private, according to their respective environmental requirements in order to meet the needs of all New Jersey citizens.
F. 
To encourage the location and design of transportation routes which will promote the free flow of traffic while discouraging location of such facilities and routes which result in congestion or blight.
G. 
To promote the conservation of open space and valuable natural resources and to prevent urban sprawl and degradation of the environment through improper use of land.
H. 
To encourage senior citizen community housing construction consistent with provisions permitting other residential uses of a similar density.
I. 
To encourage coordination of the various public and private procedures and activities shaping land development, with a view to lessening the cost of such development and to the more efficient use of land; to promote orderly development.
J. 
To protect the character and maintain the stability of residential, business and industrial areas within the Borough and to promote the orderly and beneficial development of such areas.
K. 
To regulate the intensity of use of zoning lots and to determine the area of open spaces surrounding buildings necessary to provide adequate light and air, privacy and convenience of access to property and to protect the public health.
L. 
To regulate the location of buildings and establish standards of development.
M. 
To establish building lines and the location of buildings designed for residential, commercial, industrial, office and other uses within such lines and to fix reasonable standards to which buildings or structures shall conform.
N. 
To prohibit uses, buildings or structures which are incompatible with the character or development or the permitted uses within specified zoning districts.
O. 
To prevent such additions to and alterations or remodeling of existing buildings or structures as would not comply with the restrictions and limitations imposed hereunder.
P. 
To limit congestion in the public streets and so protect the public health, safety, convenience and the general welfare by providing for off-street parking of motor vehicles and for the loading and unloading of commercial vehicles.
Q. 
To provide protection against fire, explosion, noxious fumes and other hazards in the interest of the public health, safety, comfort and the general welfare.
R. 
To conserve the taxable value of land and buildings throughout the Borough.