[R.O. 2008 §26-70; Ord. No. 1903 §1, 11-24-1997]
A.
Purpose And Intent. Within the City of Creve Coeur, certain existing lots, structures and uses of land which were lawful prior to the adoption or amendment of this Chapter are prohibited under the terms of this Chapter. This Article is intended to declare non-conformities to be incompatible with the permitted uses in each district; to permit non-conformities to continue until they are removed; and to prohibit non-conformities from being extended, expanded, enlarged or increased in intensity.
B.
Non-Conforming Structures.
2.
Repair, alterations. Any such structure described in Subsection (B)(1) above may be maintained, repaired or remodeled; provided however, that no such maintenance, repair or remodeling shall either create any additional non-conformity or increase the degree of existing non-conformity of all or any part of such structure.
3.
Damage, decay, destruction. In the event that any non-conforming structure or any structure devoted in whole or in part to a non-conforming use is damaged by fire, explosion, act of God or public enemy, such structure may be restored or replaced and such non-conforming use resumed, provided that such restoration or replacement does not exceed the same dimensions and volume as existed before such destruction or damage. The restoration or replacement of the non-conforming structure shall be commenced within twelve (12) months of the date of destruction or damage and shall be completed within eighteen (18) months of the commencement of restoration or replacement, unless extended by the City Council.
4.
Moving. No structure described in Subsection (B)(1) above shall be moved in whole or in part for any distance whatever to any other location on the same or any other lot unless the entire structure shall thereafter conform to the provisions of the zoning district in which it is located after being moved.
C.
Non-Conforming Uses.
1.
Authority to continue. Any lawfully existing non-conforming use of part or all of a structure or any lawfully existing non-conforming use of land, not involving a structure or only involving a structure which is accessory to such use of land, may be continued, so long as otherwise lawful, subject to the provisions contained in Subsection (C)(2 — 9).
2.
Ordinary repair and maintenance.
a.
The normal maintenance and repair or the replacement, installation or relocation of non-bearing walls, non-bearing partitions, fixtures, wiring or plumbing may be performed on any structure that is devoted in whole or in part to the non-conforming use. Neither this nor any other provision of this Chapter shall be interpreted to authorize any increase in the size or degree of the non-conforming use or any violation of the provisions of any other Subsections of this Section.
b.
Nothing in this Chapter shall be deemed to prevent the strengthening or restoring of a structure to a safe condition in accordance with an order of a public official who is charged with protecting the public safety and who declares such structure to be unsafe and orders its restoration to a safe condition (where such restoration will not be in violation of Section 405.610(B)).
3.
Major rehabilitation or structural alterations. A structure or structures devoted in whole or in part to a non-conforming use shall not be extensively renovated, remodeled, rehabilitated nor shall the structural system of the building be altered, unless the entire structure and use of the structure shall thereafter conform to all provisions of this Chapter and of the zoning district in which the use is located.
4.
Extension. A non-conforming use shall not be extended, expanded or enlarged or increased in intensity.
5.
Damage, decay, destruction. In the event that any non-conforming structure or any structure devoted in whole or in part to a non-conforming use is damaged by fire, explosion, act of God or public enemy, such structure may be restored or replaced, provided that such restoration or replacement does not exceed the same dimensions and volume as existed before such destruction or damage. The restoration or replacement of the non-conforming structure shall be commenced within twelve (12) months of the date of destruction or damage and shall be completed within eighteen (18) months of the commencement of restoration or replacement, unless extended by the City Council.
6.
Moving. No structure that is devoted in whole or in part to a non-conforming use shall be moved in the whole or in part for any distance whatever, to any location on the same or any other lot, unless the entire structure and use thereof shall thereafter conform to all provisions of the zoning district in which it is located after being so moved.
7.
Change in use. A non-conforming use shall not be changed to any use other than a use permitted in the zoning district in which the use is located. When a non-conforming use has been changed to any permitted use, it shall not thereafter be changed back to a non-conforming use.
8.
Abandonment or discontinuance. In the event that the non-conforming use of any building or premises is discontinued for a period of one (1) year, regardless of any reservations of an intent not to abandon or resume such use, any subsequent use or occupancy of such structures shall comply with provisions of this Chapter including those of the zoning district in which the structure is located.
9.
Non-conforming accessory uses. No use which is accessory to a principal non-conforming use shall continue after such principal use shall cease or terminate.
D.
Non-Conformities Within Setback Lines. In addition to the provisions of Section 405.240 regulating setbacks, the following regulations shall apply to those non-conformities located within prescribed setback lines from the rights-of-way of public or approved private streets and highways.
1.
Projection of existing structures into required setbacks. No structure shall be constructed, reconstructed or structurally altered in such a manner as to project into the area prescribed as a setback from a public or approved private street or as established by this Chapter.
2.
Continuation. The lawful use of any building, all or part of which may otherwise be in violation of this Chapter, may be continued, provided that no structural alterations shall thereafter be made on the portion of the non-conforming building located within the prescribed setback lines. New buildings to replace destroyed or removed non-conforming buildings shall conform to the provisions of this Article.
3.
Removal of signs and other materials. Any advertising sign, billboard or structure other than a building or any stored material within the prescribed setback from the right-of-way of a public or approved private street or highway shall be removed within two (2) years from the date of the first (1st) official notice from the City of Creve Coeur.
E.
Site-Related Non-Conformities.
2.
Ordinary repair and maintenance. Any structure located on a lot containing site-related non-conformities may be maintained, repaired or remodeled.
3.
Damage, deterioration, destruction. In the event that any structure located on a lot containing site-related non-conformities is damaged by fire, explosion, act of God or public enemy, such structure may be restored or replaced, provided that such restoration or replacement does not exceed the same dimensions and volume as existed before such destruction or damage. The restoration or replacement of the non-conforming structure shall be commenced within twelve (12) months of the date of destruction or damage and shall be completed within eighteen (18) months of the commencement of restoration or replacement, unless extended by the City Council.
4.
Cessation of site-related non-conformities. Except as further required by Section 405.790(D), any non-residential lot with site-related non-conformities which is proposed for a change of use or which is proposed to be expanded or enlarged by more than five thousand (5,000) square feet of impervious surface or ten percent (10%) of its lot coverage, whichever is less, shall thereafter comply with all requirements of this Code including, but not limited to, off-street parking and loading, landscaping, stormwater and erosion control, floor area ratio and other applicable provisions.
5.
Cumulative effect of multiple site development plan improvements. Where multiple site development plan requests for a single project have been submitted and/or approved over any period of time after the effective date of this Chapter where potential impacts exceed criteria in Subsection (E)(4) above or together may create a substantial impact, the City shall require any new site development plan application to include the elimination of all site-related non-conformities.





