Planning & Zoning

Staff has collected some of the most commonly asked questions from citizens that they encounter on a daily basis regarding planning issues. These questions and associated answers are below.

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The City of Baxter has an established Zoning ordinance and Zoning map. The City's Zoning ordinance is a tool used to implement the land use goals of the Comprehensive Plan. It sets forth regulations and standards for how land may be used by property owners and protects the health, safety and welfare of the public. All land within the City has a land-use designation which is shown on the Official Zoning Map.

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The Subdivision Ordinance is a set of regulations that provides minimum requirements for the division of land within the City. The regulations also assist developers and property owners in coordinating the approval process to divide their property. The objectives of the regulations includes:

  • To provide for the health, safety, and welfare of the public and to encourage orderly, efficient, and attractive subdivisions by establishing standards for design and construction of public improvements.
  • To preserve and protect areas of significant environmental value, including wetlands, forested areas, bluffs, and other similar natural features and to provide for open space through the efficient design layout of the land.
  • To protect and conserve the value of land and land improvements and to promote adequate vehicle and pedestrian traffic movements.
  • To guide public and private policy and action in order to provide adequate and efficient transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks, trails, and other public facilities.
  • To ensure that public and private improvements are paid for by those benefiting from their construction.