[CC 1991 §400.580; Ord. No. 119 Art. XIV §§1 — 6, 4-30-1951]
A. 
The lawful use of open land for storage purposes and advertising signs and bulletin boards which do not conform to the provisions of this Chapter shall be discontinued within two (2) years from April 30, 1951, and the use of land for storage purposes and advertising signs and bulletin boards which become non-conforming by reason of a subsequent change in this Chapter shall also be discontinued within two (2) years from the date of the change.
B. 
The lawful use of a building existing at the time of the effective date of this Chapter may be continued although such use does not conform to the provisions hereof. A non-conforming use of a building may be changed to another non-conforming use of the same or of a more restricted classification. Whenever a non-conforming use has been changed to a more restricted use or to a conforming use, such use shall not thereafter be changed to a less restrictive use.
C. 
Whenever the use of a building becomes non-conforming through a change in the zoning ordinance or district boundaries, such use may be continued and if no structural alterations are made, it may be changed to another non-conforming use of the same or of a more restricted classification.
D. 
In the event that a non-conforming use of any building or premises is discontinued for a period of two (2) years, the use of the same shall thereafter conform to the use permitted in the district in which it is located.
E. 
No existing building or premises devoted to a use not permitted by this Chapter in the district in which such building or premises is located, except when required to do so by law or order, shall be enlarged, extended, reconstructed or structurally altered, unless such use is changed to a use permitted in the district in which such building or premises is located.
F. 
When a building, the use of which does not conform to the provisions of this Chapter, is damaged by fire, explosion, act of God or the public enemy to the extent of more than sixty percent (60%) of its reasonable value, it shall not be restored except in conformity with the district regulations of the district in which the building is situated. When a building, the use of which does not conform to the provisions of this Chapter, is damaged by fire, explosion, act of God or the public enemy to the extent of less than sixty percent (60%) of its reasonable value, it may be restored if the Board of Adjustment finds some compelling public necessity requiring the continuance of the non-conforming use and the primary purpose of continuing the non-conforming use is not to continue a monopoly.
[CC 1991 §400.590; Ord. No. 119 Art. XIV §7, 4-30-1951]
A. 
The Board of Aldermen may, by special permit, after public hearing authorize under such conditions as it may determine the location of any of the following buildings or uses or an increase in their height in a district from which they are prohibited or limited by this Chapter.
1. 
Any public building erected and used by any public agency.
2. 
The extraction of raw materials.
3. 
Cemeteries and mausoleums.
4. 
Hospitals, clinics and institutions; provided however, that such buildings occupy not over twenty-five percent (25%) of the total area of the lot and will not have any serious and depreciating effect upon the value of the surrounding property and, provided further, that the buildings shall be set back from all yard lines a distance of not less than two (2) feet for each foot of building height.
5. 
Airport or landing field.
6. 
Greenhouses, provided that any such structures shall not be less than one hundred (100) feet from all property lines.
7. 
Roadside stands and recreational activities for temporary or seasonable periods.
8. 
Wholesale storage of petroleum products in the "F" Light Industrial District.
9. 
Used car lots in the "E" Commercial District and the "F" Light Industrial District but under such requirements and restrictions that will protect the value of adjoining property and the general welfare of the entire City.
10. 
Printing shops (including newspaper publishing).
B. 
Before issuance of any special permit for any of the above buildings or uses, the Board of Aldermen shall refer the proposed application to the Zoning Commission, which Commission shall be given thirty (30) days in which to make a report regarding the effect of such proposed building or use upon the character of the neighborhood, traffic conditions, public utility facilities and other matters pertaining to the general welfare. No action shall be taken upon any application for a proposed building or use above referred to until and unless the report of the Zoning Commission has been filed; provided however, that if no report is received from the Zoning Commission within thirty (30) days, it shall be assumed that approval of the application has been given by said Commission.