Sec. 1.2. Purpose and Intent

1.2.1. It is the purpose of this Ordinance to promote the health, safety and general welfare of the residents of Durham City and County.

1.2.2. In support of these purposes, this Ordinance contains regulations designed to:

A. Protect existing neighborhoods, preventing their decline and promoting their livability;

B. Address future needs, growth, and change in the jurisdiction;

C. Conserve land and water resources;

D. Preserve groundwater quality and supply;

E. Recognize geologic features, soil and topography;

F. Improve air quality;

G. Minimize congestion in the streets and reduce reliance on automobiles by providing options for walking, bicycling, and transit use;

H. Secure safety from fire and other dangers;

I. Provide adequate light and air;

J. Prevent overcrowding of land and undue concentrations of population;

K. Provide adequate transportation, water supplies, sewer service, schools, parks, open spaceClosed, and public facilitiesClosed;

L. Conserve the value of buildings;

M. Examine the most appropriate use of the land;

N. Regulate the location of business and industry;

O. Regulate the height and bulk of buildings;

P. Protect the capacity of floodwaysClosed and non-encroachment areasClosed in order to prevent loss or damage to homes or property;

Q. Regulate the area of yardsClosed and open spacesClosed for buildings;

R. Provide for the needs of agriculture;

S. Protect historic sites and areas;

T. Encourage an aesthetically attractive community;

U. Encourage the developmentClosed of affordable housing;

V. Promote equity and socio-economic diversity; and

W. Prevent secondary effects from land uses that could negatively impact nearby land uses, consistent with prior ordinances restricting such uses and evidence supporting such restrictions.

1.2.3. It is also the purpose of this Ordinance to provide for the orderly, efficient and economic developmentClosed of the City and County by providing for:

A. The coordination of streets, highways and other public facilitiesClosed within proposed subdivisionsClosed with existing or planned streets and highways or other public facilitiesClosed;

B. The dedicationClosed or reservationClosed of rights-of-way, easementsClosed or sites for streets, utilities, open spaceClosed, recreation areas, and other public facilitiesClosed;

C. The protection of historic resources and the natural environment; and

D. The distribution of population and traffic which shall avoid congestion and overcrowding and which shall create conditions essential to public health, safety and the general welfare.

1.2.4. The purpose and intent statements described above shall not be construed as Ordinance regulations, but as the purpose and intent for the regulations within the subsequent articles and sections of the Ordinance.