This chapter has been developed for the purpose
of lessening congestion on roads and highways; to secure safety from
fire, panic and other danger; to promote health, morals and the general
welfare; to provide adequate light and air; to prevent the overcrowding
of land; to avoid undue congestion of population; to facilitate the
adequate provision of transportation, water, sewage, schools, parks
and other requirements and facilities; to provide for a reasonable
mix of land uses and a variety of dwelling types; to preserve scenic
and historic values, prime agricultural land, natural areas, aquifers
and floodplains; to accommodate reasonable overall community growth
and to facilitate emergency management operations, airports and national
defense facilities.
This chapter has been developed to assist in
furthering the long range community development objectives of Independence
Township as outlined in the study, Future Growth Outlook and Policy
Guidelines, published in 1990. Regional development trends, the status
of community infrastructure, local housing conditions, population
outlook and other pertinent local and areawide studies and documentation
form the basis for these objectives. Specifically, the local community
development objectives relate to the following elements:
A. Creation and maintenance of orderly development patterns,
and the coordination of interrelationships between residential and
business areas of the community to provide for functionally distinguishable
but complimentary districts.
B. Maintenance and improvement of the aesthetic qualities
of the community.
C. Protection of the natural environmental quality and
significant open space features throughout the Township.
D. Preservation of viable agricultural pursuits and areas
devoted to such purposes.
E. Protection of the residential character of the community
consistent with the need for a variety of housing types and densities
and the ability of the community to expand in an orderly manner.
F. Preservation of property values and encouragement
of the highest and best use of developable land areas.
G. Maintenance and expansion of the municipal economic
base.
H. Development of accessways, utility systems, municipal
services and community facilities consistent with local needs.
I. Coordination and cooperation with area and regional
development programs and trends that are consistent with the type
and quality of growth necessary to achieve the community development
objectives of the Township.