Zoning Advances in the New Jersey-New York-Connecticut Metropolitan Region

Traditionally, zoning has been limited to control­ling what land and buildings may be used for and how large a building may be built on a given lot. However, of late the scope has broadened to encom­pass the regulation of many other aspects of land development: parking; off-street loading; the rate of development; architectural design; and, indirectly through minimum house size controls and other means, the economic status of new residents, busi­nesses and industries. It has become widely recognized that zoning affects not only the physical but also the economic, aesthetic and social development of the community.

Nevertheless, the underlying principles remain. The zoning ordinance must be comprehensive, uni­form and non-discriminatory. It must bear substantial relation to the nature, needs and goals of the com­munity. It must promote the health, safety and gen­eral welfare of the people.

The Association urges citizens and officials, par­ticularly in the communities lying in the path of the region’s immediate expansion, to make certain that their municipalities have prepared adequately to guide the growth that is coming and are protected by well-designed up-to-date zoning.