The General Assembly finds that the increasing urbanization of those local governments subject to this article requires that such local governments should use zoning procedures which may not be necessary in other less urbanized areas. The General Assembly finds that the procedures required by this article will help to ensure that governing authorities will make zoning decisions consistently and wisely and in keeping with the long-range requirements of the public health, safety, and welfare. The General Assembly further finds that the procedures required by this article will help to ensure that zoning decisions are made on the basis of a record which will contain matters necessary to the consistent and wise decision of zoning matters in highly urban areas. The General Assembly further finds that the procedures required by this article will help citizens of the affected local governments in presenting and articulating their viewpoints on zoning matters. The General Assembly further finds that the procedures required by this article will help to ensure that court decisions, when courts are required to intervene in zoning matters, will be made on the basis of a record which will contain matters necessary to the consistent and wise judicial decision of such zoning matters.