In 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. If the lot or yard areas required by this chapter
for a particular structure are diminished, the existence of such structure
shall be deemed a violation of this chapter. The lot or yard areas
of structures existing at the time of the passage of this chapter
shall not be diminished below the requirements herein provided for
structures hereafter erected, and such required lot or yard areas
shall not be included as a part of the required lot or yard areas
of any structure hereafter erected.
Regardless of whether the City is acting in or pursuant to the
performance of a governmental function carrying out a legislative
mandate or in the exercise of its private right as a corporate body,
any municipally owned, operated or controlled building, structure,
facility or use, either existing or proposed, shall be permitted in
any class of zone, it being the intention that whatever the City may
be authorized to do shall constitute a function of government and
that whenever the City shall act pursuant to granted authority, it
acts as government and not as a private entrepreneur. Further, the
City shall submit development plans to the Planning Board for its
review and recommendation but shall not pay to itself application
fees.