§ 2.3.1. Purpose of code.

The purpose of this code is to preserve, protect and improve the health, safety and general welfare of Larimer County residents and to implement the Larimer County Master Plan adopted Nov. 19, 1997, and any future amendments. The master plan includes the comprehensive parks master plan, the plan for the region between Fort Collins and Loveland, the Laporte Area Land Use Plan, the Fossil Creek Reservoir Area Plan, the transportation plan and other plans that the planning commission may adopt. More specifically, this code is intended to:

A.

Provide for the physical development of the county in order to:

1.

Preserve the character and quality of rural and urban areas;

2.

Foster convenient, harmonious and workable relationships among land uses; and

3.

Achieve the principles and strategies described in the master plan.

B.

Maintain and enhance property values by stabilizing expectations, fostering predictability in land development and establishing a process that efficiently and equitably applies this code to individual sites while respecting property owner rights and the interests of Larimer County citizens. This requires balancing economic development with community values and individual property rights.

C.

Promote the economic stability of existing land uses that are consistent with the master plan and protect them from intrusions by incompatible or harmful land uses.

D.

Prevent excessive population densities and overcrowding of land or buildings and ensure the provision of adequate open space for fire safety, sunlight and air.

E.

Ensure that service demands of new development will not exceed the capacity of existing roads, streets, utilities and other public services and that new development, to the extent allowed by state statute, will pay its fair share of the cost of infrastructure additions and improvements needed to serve such new development.

F.

Protect critical environmental resources, including wetlands, riparian areas, important wildlife habitats and special places of Larimer County.

G.

Promote the preservation of agricultural land and the continuation of agriculture.

H.

Prevent or decrease the danger to life and property from flooding, geologic hazards and wildfire.