§ 120-1. Legislative authority; purpose.

This chapter is enacted pursuant to the authority and power granted by Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, Article 2, § 10 et seq., of the consolidated laws, and under § 7-700 of the New York State Village Law, and in accordance with the land use policies, principles and guidance provided by the Village of Rhinebeck Master Plan, to protect and promote public health, safety, morals, comfort, convenience, economy, aesthetics, general welfare, natural and cultural resources, and for the following purposes:

A. 

To provide a flexible system of land use regulation that enables the Village to grow, while preserving its most important historic, natural and cultural features.

B. 

To preserve the unique character of the Village.

C. 

To enhance the sense of community among the Village's residents.

D. 

To promote and preserve the Village's historic structures, sites and cultural features.

E. 

To enhance the aesthetic and architectural quality of the Village.

F. 

To promote a pattern of land use that reinforces the Village as a community center with defined boundaries.

G. 

To conserve important natural resources and features and the rural character of the Village.

H. 

To protect residences from nuisances, odors, noise, pollution and other unsightly, obtrusive and offensive land use activities.

I. 

To allow economic opportunities that are consistent with the character of the Village and meet the needs of its residents.

J. 

To provide a broad range of housing options for all present and future Village residents, including young people, families with children, and the elderly.

K. 

To regulate building density in order to concentrate population in appropriate locations while allowing reasonable privacy for residences, ensuring access to light and air, conserving open space, facilitating the prevention of fires, and minimizing the cost of municipal services.