This chapter is adopted for the purpose of promoting the public
health, safety, morals, comfort and general welfare, conserving the
values of property throughout the Village of Homer Glen, lessening
or avoiding congestion in the public streets and highways, and lessening
or avoiding the hazards to persons and damage to property resulting
from the accumulation or runoff of storm or floodwaters. The Village
Board shall have the power to regulate and restrict the location and
use of buildings, structures and land for trade, industry, residence
and other uses which may be specified by the Board, to regulate and
restrict the intensity of such uses, to establish building or setback
lines on or along any street, traffic way, drive, parkway or storm
or floodwater runoff channel or basin within the limits of the Village;
to divide the Village into districts of such number, shape, area and
of such different classes, according to the use of land and buildings,
the intensity of such use (including height of buildings and structures
and surrounding open space) and other classification as may be deemed
best suited to carry out the purposes of this chapter; to prohibit
uses, buildings or structures incompatible with the character of such
districts respectively; and to prevent additions to and alteration
or remodeling of existing buildings or structures in such a way as
to avoid the restrictions and limitations lawfully imposed hereunder.
The purpose and intent of this chapter shall be fulfilled by
or through implementation of the following:
A.
Divide the Village into districts of such number, shape, area and
such different classes, according to the use of land, buildings, the
height and bulk of buildings, the intensity of use and the area of
open spaces and recreational spaces, as may be deemed best suited
to carry out the purposes of this chapter;
B.
Prevent the overcrowding of land and undue concentration of structures,
so far as is possible and appropriate in each district, by regulating
the use and bulk of buildings in relation to the land surrounding
them, thereby ensuring proper living and working conditions and preventing
the development of blight and slums;
C.
Implement reasonable standards to which buildings and structures
shall conform;
D.
Implement standards to ensure the development of land use patterns
that emphasize the desirability of single-family residential land
uses that will strengthen and enhance the Village's low-density community
character;
E.
Protect the aesthetic appearance of the Village as well as the "quality
of life" and unique identity of the Village;
F.
Encourage innovative development techniques by providing for use
of planned developments in areas suitable for this development method;
G.
Protect groundwater supplies by controlling inappropriate land uses
where soils and geological characteristics present the possibility
of diminishing supplies or contamination by pollutants;
H.
Implement adequate open space requirements for sunlight, clean air,
privacy, noise abatement, recreation, pedestrian circulation, and
safe sight distances for operation of motor vehicles;
I.
Allow for the maintenance of a viable agricultural base, including
supporting businesses and services;
J.
Provide for the opportunity to create a variety of housing opportunities
and lifestyles, employment, industrial, and commercial enterprises;
K.
Prohibit the intrusion of incompatible uses into residential, commercial,
industrial, agricultural, recreational, and other necessary natural
and man-made areas;
L.
Facilitate the provision of adequate transportation, and of other
public requirements and services such as water, sewage, schools and
parks through the implementation of standards to ensure the development
of appropriate land uses;
M.
Preserve the values of the property throughout the Village and protect
the character and stability of residential, business and industrial
areas;
N.
Provide for adequate drainage, erosion control and reduction of flood
damage in connection with the development of lands;
O.
Ensure a balance of green space and development, and preserve and
ensure the preservation of nature resources and other significant
environmental features in the Village;
P.
Provide a well-defined system of streets and pedestrian/bike trails
which allow access to all local and regional points of origin and
destination;
Q.
Preserve and ensure the preservation of areas of historical, architectural,
and environmental significance;
R.
Foster compatible relationships between residential, commercial,
industrial, agricultural and historical uses for the mutual benefit
of all; and
S.
Implement the objectives of the Comprehensive Plan of the Village.
