~ 171-1. Title.
This chapter shall be known as the "Zoning Bylaw of the Town of Great Barrington, Massachusetts," hereinafter referred to as "this chapter."
~ 171-2. Authority.
This chapter is adopted in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 40A of the General Laws, as amended by c. 808, Acts of 1975, to regulate the use of land, buildings and structures to the full extent of the independent constitutional powers of cities and towns to protect the health, safety and general welfare of the present and future inhabitants of the town.
~ 171-3. Purpose.
A. The purpose of this chapter is to achieve greater implementation of the powers granted to the municipalities under Article 89 of the Amendments of the Constitution of the Commonwealth in the general interests of public health, safety and welfare, including but not limited to the following objectives:
(1) To prevent overcrowding of land; to secure safety from fire, flood, panic and other dangers; to conserve health; to lessen congestion in the streets; to encourage housing for persons of all income levels;
(2) To facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water supply, drainage, sewerage, schools, parks, open space and other public requirements;
(3) To conserve the value of land and buildings, including the conservation of natural resources and the prevention of blight and pollution of the environment; and
(4) To preserve and increase amenities by the promulgation of regulations designed to:
(a) Protect the town's significant environmental features such as floodplains and flood-prone areas, wetlands, all rivers, brooks, ponds, water resources and woodlands; areas of scenic beauty; and sites and structures of historic importance;
(b) Preserve the natural, scenic and aesthetic qualities of the community;
(c) Minimize the adverse effects of development on the town's unique environmental and historic features;
(d) Further the objectives of the town's Comprehensive Master Plan; and
(e) Employ cooperatively the various measures taken by the town's agencies, under diverse legislative authority, including the State Sanitary Code, Wetlands Protections Act, Subdivision Control Legislation and the State Building Code, for the protection and enhancement of the town's existing character, open spaces, low density of population and in the interests of the town's orderly growth.
(5) To promote a vital and diverse economic and cultural environment which will enable young people to remain and prosper in the community. [Added 5-3-1999 ATM, Art. 29]
B. To those ends enumerated above, the use, construction, repair, alteration, height, location, percentage of lot coverage by buildings and structures and the use of land in the Town of Great Barrington are hereby restricted and regulated as herein provided.
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