This chapter shall be known and cited as the
"Zoning Ordinance of the City of Meriden, 1983."
The purpose of this chapter is to encourage
the most appropriate use of land; to conserve and stabilize the value
of property; to provide adequate open spaces for light and air; to
prevent fires; to prevent undue concentration of population; to facilitate
adequate provisions for community utilities and facilities, such as
transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public requirements;
to promote health, safety and general welfare; and to that end to
designate, regulate and restrict the location and use of buildings,
structures and land for agricultural, residential, commercial, industrial
or other purposes; to regulate and limit the height, size and bulk
of buildings and structures hereafter erected or altered; to regulate
and determine the size of yards and other spaces; to regulate the
percentage of the area of the lots that may be occupied by buildings
or structures; and to regulate and limit the density of population;
and for said purposes to divide the City into zoning districts of
such number, shape and area as may be deemed best suited to carry
out this chapter and provide for its enforcement, in accordance with
Chapter 124, § 8-2, of the Connecticut General Statutes,
as amended.
A.
No building or structure shall be erected, reconstructed
or structurally altered in any manner, nor shall any building or land
or the space above or beneath be used for any purpose other than is
permitted by and in conformance with this chapter and all other ordinances,
laws and maps referred to herein.
B.
Any valid variance, special exception, building permit,
certificate of approval or certificate of occupancy which was issued
before the effective date of this chapter shall be unaffected by the
provisions of this chapter. Any application made prior to the effective
date of this chapter and legally pending before the Planning Commission,
Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals or Building Official shall
be considered under the provisions of the previous zoning regulations
(Zoning Ordinance of the City of Meriden, 1966, as amended).
The designations, locations and boundaries of
the zoning districts established are delineated on the map entitled
"City of Meriden, Connecticut, Zoning Map," dated January 1, 1966.
as amended, which map and all notations and information thereon are
hereby made a part of this chapter by reference, and said map is on
file in the office of the City Clerk, City of Meriden, Connecticut.
Any land within the incorporated limits of the City and not designated
or indicated on the Zoning Map shall be placed in the proper zoning
district by the Zoning Commission of the City of Meriden, Connecticut.
A.
In accordance with Chapter 124, § 8-2, of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended, this Zoning Ordinance shall not apply to municipal property owned or leased by the City of Meriden for public purposes, including public library, public hospital or public school or park and recreation purposes, except that municipal building and site development plans shall be approved by the City Planning Commission in accordance with Chapter 126, § 8-24, of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended, and § 213-72 of this chapter.
B.
Any use of land, buildings or structures and any building or structure existing prior to January 1, 1990, which was exempt from the operation of this chapter by virtue of municipal ownership thereof, may continue after being subject to this chapter. Any changes, alterations, enlargements or restoration of such use shall conform only to § 213-72 and all lot and bulk requirements of the zone in which such use is located, except the minimum yard and lot size requirements shall be two times that required in the zone in which the use is located. If such use is discontinued for a period of one year, the use of said property must thereafter conform to all provisions of this chapter.
[Added 1-7-1991]
When 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, safety, comfort, convenience
and general welfare. Except as specifically herein provided, it is
not intended by the adoption of this chapter to repeal, abrogate,
annul or in any way to impair or interfere with any existing provisions
of law or ordinance or any rules, regulations or permits previously
adopted or issued or which shall be adopted or issued pursuant to
law relating to the erection, construction, maintenance, establishment,
moving, alteration or enlargement of any building or improvement;
nor is it intended by this chapter to interfere with or abrogate or
annul any easement, covenant or other agreement between parties; provided,
however, that in cases in which this chapter imposes a greater restriction
upon the erection, construction, maintenance, establishment, moving,
alteration or enlargement of buildings, or the use of any such buildings
or premises in said several districts or any of them, than is imposed
or required by such existing provisions of law or ordinance or by
such rules, regulations or permits or by such easements, covenants
or agreements, then in such case the provisions of this chapter shall
control.
