It is the intent and purpose of this chapter to:
A. 
Encourage action to guide the appropriate use or development of all lands in the Village, in a manner which will promote the public health, safety, morals and general welfare.
B. 
Secure safety from fire, flood, panic and other natural and man-made disasters.
C. 
Provide adequate light, air and open space.
D. 
Ensure that the development of Ridgewood does not conflict with the development and general welfare of neighboring municipalities.
E. 
Promote the establishment of appropriate population densities and concentrations that will contribute to the well-being of persons, neighborhoods and the entire municipality as well as the preservation of the environment.
F. 
Encourage the appropriate and efficient expenditure of public funds by the coordination of public development with land use policies.
G. 
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.
H. 
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.
I. 
Promote a desirable visual environment through creative development techniques and good civic design and arrangements.
J. 
Promote the conservation of historic sites and districts, open space, energy resources and to prevent the degradation of the environment, including but not limited to the air, water and visual environment, through improper use of land.
K. 
Encourage diverse types of housing construction.
L. 
Establish orderly and uniform procedures relating to land use and development regulation.
M. 
Promote utilization of renewable energy sources.
N. 
Promote the maximum practicable recovery and recycling of recyclable materials from municipal solid waste.
The scope of this chapter as it relates to other laws, ordinances, regulations, rules or other restrictions is as follows:
A. 
This chapter is not intended to repeal, abrogate, annul or in any way impair or interfere with existing provisions of other laws or ordinances, except those repealed expressly or by necessary implication hereby, or to affect any private restrictions placed upon property by covenant, deed or other private agreement unless repugnant hereto.
B. 
Where this chapter imposes a greater restriction upon the use of buildings or premises or upon the height of buildings or coverage by above-grade structures or improvements or requires greater lot area or longer yards or other open spaces than are imposed or required by such rules, regulations or permits or by such private restrictions, the provisions of this chapter shall control.
[Amended 6-7-1999 by Ord. No. 2670]
C. 
Municipal uses and facilities. All uses and facilities of the Village of Ridgewood shall be permitted in all zone districts in the Village, and shall be exempt from the regulations of this chapter. This provision shall apply to and include, but not be limited to, all facilities owned and operated by the various departments of the Village government and administration, including but not limited to the Ridgewood Water Department.
[Added 2-8-2017 by Ord. No. 3579]
D. 
Public utilities within the street right-of-way. All public utility facilities owned, operated, leased and/or authorized by the Village of Ridgewood within the right-of-way of public streets shall be permitted in all zone districts in the Village and shall be exempt from the regulations of this chapter; provided, however, that public utility structures located within the street right-of-way constructed to serve uses and structures on private property shall be required to comply with the requirements for site plans and subdivisions in this chapter.
[Added 2-8-2017 by Ord. No. 3579]