Town of Southwick, MA Article I Authority and Purpose

§ 185-1 Authority.

For the purpose of this chapter, the Town of Southwick, under the authority granted by General Laws, Tercentenary Edition, Chapter 40A, as amended, does hereby make this bylaw of the Town of Southwick, Massachusetts.

§ 185-2 Purpose.

A. The purpose of this chapter is to:

[Amended STM 10-15-2002 by Art. 3]

(1) Lessen congestion in the streets;

(2) Conserve health;

(3) Secure safety from fire, flood, panic and other dangers;

(4) Provide adequate light and air;

(5) To prevent overcrowding of land;

(6) To avoid undue concentration of population;

(7) Encourage housing for persons of all income levels;

(8) Facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water supply, drainage, sewerage, schools, parks, open space and other public requirements;

(9) Conserve the value of land and buildings, including the conservation of natural resources and the prevention of blight and pollution of the environment;

(10) Encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout the city or Town including consideration of the recommendations of the Master Plan, if any, adopted by the Planning Board and the Comprehensive Plan, if any, of the regional planning agency; and

(11) Preserve and increase amenities by the promulgation of regulations to fulfill said objective." or to take any other action thereon.

B. Said regulations may include but are not limited to restricting, prohibiting, permitting or regulating:

(1) Uses of land, including wetlands and lands deemed subject to seasonal or periodic flooding;

(2) Size, height, bulk, location and use of structures, including buildings and signs, except that billboards, signs and other advertising devices are also subject to the following provisions of the Massachusetts General Laws: MGL C. 93, §§ 29 through 33, inclusive, and MGL C. 93D;

(3) Uses of bodies of water, including watercourses;

(4) Noxious uses;

(5) Areas and dimensions of land and bodies of water to be occupied or unoccupied by uses and structures, courts, yards and open spaces;

(6) Density of population and intensity of use;

(7) Accessory facilities and uses, such as vehicle parking and loading, landscaping and open space; and

(8) The development of the natural, scenic and aesthetic qualities of the community.

§ 185-3 Title.

For the purposes of this chapter, the Town of Southwick, under the authority granted by General Laws, Tercentenary Edition, Chapter 40A, as amended, does hereby make this chapter to be hereby known and designated as the "Zoning Bylaw of the Town of Southwick, Massachusetts."