76-3-102. Statement of purpose. It is the purpose of this chapter to:

(1) promote the public health, safety, and general welfare by regulating the subdivision of land;

(2) prevent overcrowding of land;

(3) lessen congestion in the streets and highways;

(4) provide for adequate light, air, water supply, sewage disposal, parks and recreation areas, ingress and egress, and other public requirements;

(5) require development in harmony with the natural environment;

(6) promote preservation of open space;

(7) promote cluster development approaches that minimize costs to local citizens and that promote effective and efficient provision of public services;

(8) protect the rights of property owners;

(9) require uniform monumentation of land subdivisions and transferring interests in real property by reference to a plat or certificate of survey; and

(10) provide for phased developments.