This chapter is enacted in accordance with the community development objectives as set forth in the Bern Township Comprehensive Plan, adopted 1987. Those objectives are incorporated herein by reference. In addition, it is the intent of this chapter:
A. 
To promote, protect and facilitate any or all of the following: the public health, safety, morals and the general welfare; coordinated and practical community development and proper density of population; emergency management preparedness and operations, airports and national defense facilities, the provisions of adequate light and air, access to incident solar energy, police protection, vehicle parking and loading space, transportation, water, sewerage, schools, recreational facilities, public grounds, the provision of a safe, reliable and adequate water supply for domestic, commercial, agricultural or industrial use and other public requirements; as well as preservation of the natural, scenic and historic values in the environment and preservation of forests, wetlands, aquifers and flood plains.
B. 
To prevent one or more of the following: overcrowding of land, blight, danger and congestion in travel and transportation, loss of health, life or property from fire, flood, panic or other dangers.
C. 
To preserve prime agriculture and farmland considering topography, soil type and classification and present use.
D. 
To provide for the use of land within Bern Township for residential housing of various dwelling types encompassing all basic forms of housing, including single-family and two-family dwellings and a reasonable range of multifamily dwellings in various arrangements, mobile homes and mobile home parks, provided, however, that this chapter shall not be deemed invalid for the failure to provide for any other specific dwelling type.
E. 
To accommodate reasonable overall community growth, including population and employment growth and opportunities for development of a variety of residential dwelling types and nonresidential uses.
In interpreting and applying the provisions of this chapter, they shall be held to be the minimum requirements adopted for the promotion of the public health and safety and the general welfare of the residents and occupants of the Township. Where the provisions of this chapter impose greater restrictions than those of any other Township statute, ordinance or regulation, the the provisions of this chapter shall be complied with. Where the provisions of any other Township statute, ordinance or regulation impose greater restrictions than this chapter, the provisions of such other Township statute, ordinance or regulation shall be complied with unless otherwise stated in this chapter.
Except as hereinafter provided, no building, structure, land or parts thereof in Bern Township shall be used or reconstructed or structurally altered unless in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.