160A-383. Purposes in view.

(a) Zoning regulations shall be made in accordance with a comprehensive plan.

(b) Prior to adopting or rejecting any zoning amendment, the governing board shall adopt one of the following statements which shall not be subject to judicial review:

(1) A statement approving the zoning amendment and describing its consistency with an adopted comprehensive plan and explaining why the action taken is reasonable and in the public interest.

(2) A statement rejecting the zoning amendment and describing its inconsistency with an adopted comprehensive plan and explaining why the action taken is reasonable and in the public interest.

(3) A statement approving the zoning amendment and containing at least all of the following:

a. A declaration that the approval is also deemed an amendment to the comprehensive plan. The governing board shall not require any additional request or application for amendment to the comprehensive plan.

b. An explanation of the change in conditions the governing board took into account in amending the zoning ordinance to meet the development needs of the community.

c. Why the action was reasonable and in the public interest.

(c) Prior to consideration by the governing board of the proposed zoning amendment, the planning board shall advise and comment on whether the proposed amendment is consistent with any comprehensive plan. The planning board shall provide a written recommendation to the governing board that addresses plan consistency and other matters as deemed appropriate by the planning board, but a comment by the planning board that a proposed amendment is inconsistent with the comprehensive plan shall not preclude consideration or approval of the proposed amendment by the governing board.

(d) Zoning regulations shall be designed to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare. To that end, the regulations may address, among other things, the following public purposes: to provide adequate light and air; to prevent the overcrowding of land; to avoid undue concentration of population; to lessen congestion in the streets; to secure safety from fire, panic, and dangers; and to facilitate the efficient and adequate provision of transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks, and other public requirements. The regulations shall be made with reasonable consideration, among other things, as to the character of the district and its peculiar suitability for particular uses, and with a view to conserving the value of buildings and encouraging the most appropriate use of land throughout such city. The regulations may not include, as a basis for denying a zoning or rezoning request from a school, the level of service of a road facility or facilities abutting the school or proximately located to the school.

(e) As used in this section, "comprehensive plan" includes a unified development ordinance and any other officially adopted plan that is applicable.