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1.0 This Ordinance shall be known, and referred to as the: WILL COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE.

2.1 INTENT

This Ordinance is adopted pursuant to Chapter 55 Sections 5/5-12001 et seq. of the Illinois Complied Statutes, as amended, for the following purposes:

2.1-1 Promotion of the public health, safety, morals, comfort, and general welfare of the present and future inhabitants of Will County, by:

1. Requiring provisions for adherence to land use patterns that have been deemed to provide development to the best interest of the entire county as indicated, explained, and substantiated in the official plans of Will County.
2. Protecting ground water supplies by controlling inappropriate land uses where soils and geological characteristics present the possibility of diminishing supplies or contamination by pollutants.
3. Requiring provisions of adequate open space for sunlight, clean air, privacy, noise abatement, recreation, pedestrian circulation, and safe sight distances for operation of motor vehicles.
4. Requiring provisions for safe and adequate circulation of motor vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
5. Requiring provisions for adequate water supply and sewage disposal.
6. Requiring provisions that promote adequate police and fire protection.
7. Providing for the opportunity to create a variety of housing opportunities and life styles, employment, industrial, and commercial enterprises.
8. Prohibiting the intrusion of incompatible uses into residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, recreational, and other necessary natural and man-made areas.
9. Requiring provisions for adequate and essential facilities, services, and utilities.
10. Requiring the provisions of adequate control, operation, and maintenance of facilities necessary for public use.
11. Providing for the maintenance of a viable agricultural base, including supporting businesses and services.

2.1-2 Conserve the values of property throughout Will County, by:

1. Prohibiting the intrusion of incompatible uses into residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, recreational, and natural resource and other necessary natural and man-made areas.
2. Requiring provisions of adequate open space for sunlight, clean air, privacy, noise abatement, recreation, pedestrian circulation, and safe sight distances for operation of motor vehicles.
3. Requiring provisions for coordinated, adjusted, and harmonious development.
4. Requiring provisions for promoting adherence to land use patterns that have been deemed to provide development to the best interest of the entire County.

2.1-3 Lessening or avoiding congestion in the public streets and highways of Will County, by:

1. Requiring provisions for safe and adequate circulation of motor vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
2. Requiring provisions for adequate open space for safe sight distances for operation of motor vehicles.
3. Requiring provisions for coordinated, adjusted, and harmonious development.

2.1-4 Lessening or avoiding the hazards to persons and damage to property resulting from the accumulation of runoff of storm or flood water within Will County, by:

1. Requiring provisions for controlling development within floodplain.
2. Requiring provisions for sediment and erosion control.

2.2 AUTHORITY

In order to insure that the above purposes are realized, the County has, pursuant to Chapter 55 Sections 5/5-12001 et seq., the power to:

2.2-1 Regulate and restrict the location and use of buildings, structures, and land.

2.2-2 Regulate and restrict the intensity of use.

2.2-3 Establish building or setback lines on or along any street, traffic way, drive, parkway, or storm or flood water runoff channel or basin.

2.2-4 Divide the entire County outside the limits of such cities, villages and incorporated towns into districts of such numbers, shape, areas and of such different classes, according to the use of land and building, the intensity of use (including the height of buildings and structures and surrounding open space) and other classification as may be deemed best suited to carry out the purpose.

2.2-5 Prohibit uses, buildings, or structures incompatible with the character of such districts.