This chapter shall be entitled "A Law Regulating and Restricting the Location, Construction and Use of Buildings and Structures and the Use of Land in the Unincorporated Area in the Town of North Salem, County of Westchester, State of New York."
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Zoning Ordinance of the Town of North Salem, New York."
[Amended 3-22-2005 by L.L. No. 1-2005]
There is hereby established a new Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for the Town of North Salem, which is set forth in the text, tables and map that constitute this chapter. Said chapter is adopted for all of the purposes set forth in Article 16 of the Town Law, and all power and authority granted therein are hereby adopted in the interest, protection and promotion of the public health, safety and general welfare. The Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance implements the policies for land use in the Town of North Salem Master Plan and the regional objectives of the Westchester County Greenway Compact, which include:
A. 
Population growth and development in North Salem should be guided so as to maintain the Town's rural character.
B. 
Adequate land use planning policies and development standards should be established to ensure a balanced and orderly pattern of future growth and economic stability.
C. 
Town land use development policies should be formulated to ensure that the future growth is coordinated with the Town's ability to provide adequate community facilities and services.
D. 
North Salem's present and future population should be accommodated by encouraging the development of an appropriate variety and quantity of sound housing which will serve various age groups, in accordance with local, County and regional considerations.
E. 
The orderly but limited expansion and addition of land uses consistent with the predominant character of the community should be encouraged.
F. 
A safe, adequate and efficient roadway network should be provided that will serve the various types and intensities of traffic generated by the proposed pattern of land use within the Town.
G. 
The historic features and sites of North Salem should be preserved, which give it a pleasant, rural setting and which serve to enhance the appearance of the Town.
H. 
The natural features of North Salem, its parks, lakes, ponds, waterways and wooded hills, should be preserved, which give it a pleasant, open setting and which serve, collectively, as an attractive background for the more developed areas of the Town and region.
I. 
Environmental degradation should be controlled, and high standards of environmental quality in public and private development should be established.
J. 
A pleasant community should be provided in which people can live, work and pursue leisure activities.
K. 
Surface and subsurface water should be protected and preserved so as to ensure an adequate supply of potable water.
L. 
Consideration should be given to the Greenway Criteria, as stated in the Westchester County Greenway Compact, which promote natural and cultural resource protection, regional planning, compatible economic development (agriculture, tourism and revitalization of community centers), public access to natural and cultural resources and heritage and environmental education.