It is hereby determined and declared (as a matter
of legislative findings) that:
A. Nonconforming uses and nonconforming structures present
a serious obstacle to the accomplishment of the purposes and intent
of this chapter and the Master Plan upon which it is based.
B. Nonconforming uses and nonconforming structures impede
the development of healthful, safe and economically sound neighborhoods
and districts, disrupt harmonious interrelationships between otherwise
permitted uses and depreciate the usefulness and convenience of the
surrounding land uses and structures.
C. Continuation of nonconforming uses, nonconforming
structures and noncomplying signs in many instances results in an
unfortunate and undesired preferred status in that adherence of adjoining
properties to the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance operates to place
such nonconforming uses, nonconforming structures and noncomplying
signs, especially commercial ones, in a monopolistic position within
the district, secured by the provisions and requirements of the Zoning
Ordinance itself.
D. Nonconforming and noncomplying signs should be classified
and regulated apart from other structures and uses because they are
uses in the field of vision relative to highways and other public
and open places, rather than uses related directly to the land upon
which they are located.
E. Experience has shown that generally, nonconforming
uses and nonconforming structures do not tend to disappear or to be
converted into conforming uses and structures by the mere passage
of time.