§ 110-3. Purpose, objective and intent.  


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  • The board of commissioners hereby finds and determines the following:

    (1)

    Many interests are affected when new homes are built, therefore, a reasonable regulation and control of development is necessary to protect these interests.

    (2)

    The first interest to consider is that of the subdivision owner or developer. This chapter requires the developer to meet certain standards in designing his subdivision that will provide him with desirable, saleable lots. This, in turn, will give his investors a certain guarantee of return.

    (3)

    A carefully planned development can install certain neighborhood pride even before the first individual homeowner moves in. The homeowner's interests were protected before he purchased the home by ensuring the installation of proper facilities and recreational areas. Further, if the natural beauty has been retained and protective covenants established on the development, the homeowner's property value should increase rather than decline as has been the case in too many neighborhoods in the past.

    (4)

    Probably the greatest error in the past has been the lack of recognition of the long-term responsibilities involved in subdividing land. This error has proven to be costly and affects a third interest, the county government, which, in turn, affects the county taxpayer. Therefore, as representatives of the taxpayer and his family, the county government intends to protect the taxpayer's interests and other interests involved by the adoption and enforcement of this chapter.

    (5)

    A development must first fit into a master plan which is adopted by and recommended by the planning commission after a comprehensive study of the county. The director then studies the design and facilities, which are eventually left in the hands of the county for maintenance, to ensure that they are suitable and will require a minimum of maintenance in the future. Past experiences have pointed to the dire need for a regulation of this content to serve the best interest of the public while providing all developers with a minimum standard policy and procedure outline.

    (6)

    The intent of this chapter is to provide for the harmonious development of the county and to ensure a coordinated layout with adequate provisions for traffic, recreation, drainage, sewers and other technical elements of land subdivision. This control is necessary to assure the maximum return on the local and government investments and at the same time to assure the homeowner protection and the subdivider full consideration of his interests and responsibilities.

(Ord. of 9-24-74, art. I)