The purpose of the zoning ordinance is to protect and promote the public health, safety, and general welfare, and to implement the policies of the city general plan. Specifically, the zoning ordinance is intended to:
A. Provide a precise guide for the physical development of the city in order to:
1. Preserve the character and quality of residential neighborhoods,
2. Foster convenient, harmonious and workable relationships among land uses, and
3. Achieve the arrangement of land uses described in the general plan;
B. Promote economic stability of existing land uses that are consistent with the general plan and protect them from intrusions by inharmonious or harmful land uses;
C. Prevent excessive population densities and overcrowding of land or buildings;
D. Ensure the provision of adequate open space for light, air and fire safety;
E. Permit the development of office, commercial, industrial, and related land uses that are consistent with the general plan, in order to strengthen the city's economic base;
F. Conserve and enhance the city's architectural and cultural resources;
G. Conserve and enhance key visual features of Pittsburg's setting, including the riverfront and major ridgelines, consistent with the general plan;
H. Require adequate off-street parking and loading facilities, and promote a safe, effective traffic circulation system;
I. Ensure that service demands of new development will not exceed the capacities of streets, water and utilities, and other public services;
J. Encourage a built environment of the highest design and architectural quality.
(Ord. 979 § 2 (Exh. A), 1990; Ord. 07-1284 § 3 (Exh. B), 2007)