Except as otherwise provided in this article, the lawfully existing
use of land or buildings existing at the time of the adoption of this
chapter may be continued, although such uses do not conform to the
standards specified in this chapter for the zone in which such land
or building is located. However, no land shall be subdivided so as
to create a nonconforming lot, use, building or other structure, nor
shall a nonconforming lot, use, building or other structure be made
more nonconforming than it was at the first date of adoption of this
chapter.
Where no building or structure is involved, the lawfully existing
nonconforming use of land may be continued; provided, however, that
no such nonconforming use shall be enlarged or increased, nor shall
it be extended to occupy a greater area of land than that occupied
by such use at the time of the first adoption of this chapter, unless
specifically allowed by other provisions in this chapter, nor shall
any such nonconforming use be moved in whole or in part to any other
portion of the lot or parcel of land occupied by such nonconforming
use at the time of the adoption of this chapter; provided, further,
that if such nonconforming use of land or any portion thereof ceases
for any reasons for any continuous period of more than two years,
or is changed to a conforming use, any future use of the land shall
be in conformity with the provisions of this chapter. No nonconforming
use of land shall be changed to another nonconforming use.
No permit shall be issued that will result in the nonconformity or the increase of any existing nonconformity of any dimensional requirement as outlined in Schedule II of Article
IV of this chapter. No use or structure with nonconformity of any dimension
shall be expanded in any direction, vertically or horizontally. Nothing
in this chapter shall prevent the use of any lot or the erection of
a building or other structure on any lot which does not conform to
the minimum area, shape or frontage requirements of this chapter,
as of the first date of adoption of this section, provided that all
other requirements of this chapter have been met and the owner of
such lot does not own sufficient contiguous land within the Town of
Lake George to make a nonconforming lot more nearly a conforming lot.
If a nonconforming use is discontinued for a period of 24 consecutive
months, further use of the property shall conform to this chapter
or be subject to review by the Zoning Board of Appeals.