A.
The purpose of this article is to provide regulations governing lots
and other parcels of land, buildings, structures and the uses thereof
which were lawful prior to the enactment of this chapter, or relevant
amendment thereto, but which are prohibited or are more strictly regulated
or restricted under the provisions of this chapter.
B.
The provisions of this article are intended to permit such lawfully
nonconforming lots and parcels of land, buildings, structures and
uses to continue, though not to encourage their nonconforming status
on a long-term basis. Because the continued existence of such nonconforming
lots, buildings, structures and uses prevents the full realization
of the goals and purposes of this chapter, a significant purpose of
this article is to promote the reduction or elimination of such nonconformities.
C.
The provisions of this article are intended to accomplish the following:
(1)
To permit lawful nonconforming buildings, structures and uses
to remain until they are discontinued or removed.
(2)
To permit lawfully nonconforming lots and other parcels of land
to be improved by the construction and use of buildings and structures
only as permitted by the terms of this article.
(3)
To promote the termination and removal of any land use, building
or structure in violation of this chapter that was established prior
to the effective date hereof or prior to the effective date of any
relevant amendment hereto.
(4)
To encourage the combining of contiguous nonconforming lots
and other parcels of land, so as to create lots and other parcels
of land which comply with current minimum provisions as to area, width
and other aspects thereof.
(5)
To encourage the improvement of buildings and structures so
as to comply with current minimum provisions of this chapter.
A.
A parcel of land that is platted or is otherwise of public record
at the time of the adoption of this chapter, or the adoption of any
relevant amendment herein, and that does not comply with the minimum
lot area requirement and/or the minimum lot width requirement, or
other minimum requirement for such parcel of land, for the zone district
in which the parcel of land is located may nevertheless be used for
a use permitted in that district if at least 90% of each required
minimum front, rear and side yard building setback is complied with.
B.
Adjacent parcels of land in common ownership that are platted or
are otherwise of public record at the time of adoption of this chapter,
or the adoption of any relevant amendment herein, and that do not
satisfy the minimum lot area requirement and/or the minimum lot width
requirement, or other minimum requirements for a lot or other parcel
in the zone district, then all of such lots or other parcels shall
be combined for zoning purposes into one conforming lot or parcel,
or a parcel which at least complies with 90% of each required minimum
front, rear and side yard building setback.
C.
Each individual lot which has been combined for zoning purposes under Subsection B shall cease to be considered a separate lot of record and shall be a buildable lot together with the lot or lots with which it has been combined.
D.
Lots combined for zoning purposes under Subsection B shall not thereafter be split, redivided, or otherwise reduced in area unless all of the resulting lots comply with all minimum lot requirements for a buildable lot in the district in which the land is located or unless a lot is divided and also lawfully combined with an adjacent lot or lots; provided, however, in the case of a platted lot being divided and also lawfully combined with an adjacent lot or lots, such division shall be subject to the approval of the Township Board under the terms of Chapter 275, Part 2, Land Division, of the Code of the Township of Cannon.
E.
For purposes of this section, an existing parcel of land of record
means a lot or parcel that is described in a deed or other conveyancing
instrument recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds prior to
the effective date of this chapter or any relevant amendment thereof,
or any recorded land contract, recorded memorandum of land contract
or other recorded instrument, including a platted subdivision and
a condominium and site condominium master deed, which has the effect
of conveying the land or an interest therein. A recorded survey or
the establishment of a separate tax identification number for a parcel
of land shall not, by itself, have the effect of establishing the
parcel of land as an existing lot or parcel of record.
Building and structures which are existing and lawful on the
effective date of this chapter or any relevant amendment herein may
be continued even though such buildings and structures do not comply
with the provisions of this chapter or any relevant amendment herein;
subject, however, to the following limitations:
A.
A nonconforming building or structure devoted to a conforming use
shall not be enlarged or altered in any manner or to any extent which
increases the nonconformity of the building or structure.
B.
A nonconforming building or structure may be enlarged or altered
if such enlargement or alteration complies with this chapter and does
not increase the nonconformity of the building or structure.
C.
If a nonconforming building or structure is altered or modified so
as to eliminate, remove, or lessen any or all of its nonconforming
characteristics, then such nonconforming characteristics shall not
be subsequently reestablished or increased.
D.
Repairs, maintenance and improvements of a nonconforming building
or structure are permitted, but shall not include an addition to a
building or structure that would increase its nonconformity; provided,
however, that such maintenance, repairs and improvements shall not
be permitted if the cost thereof would exceed 50% of the fair market
value of the building or structure prior to the maintenance, repairs
or improvements. In determining the fair market value for purposes
of this subsection, the Township may calculate the same by doubling
the current state equalized valuation, less the estimated value of
the land.
E.
A lawfully nonconforming building or structure may be strengthened or restored to a safe condition, in whole or in part, if the building has been declared to be unsafe by the Township Building Official or by other official having jurisdiction; provided, however, that the cost of any such strengthening or restoration shall not exceed 50% of the fair market value of the building or structure prior to such strengthening or restoration, less the estimated value of the land; such fair market value shall be determined in accordance with Subsection D of this section.
F.
A lawfully nonconforming building or structure may be altered, restored
or otherwise improved if such activity will cause the building or
structure to be more conforming to the provisions of this chapter.
G.
In the event that any lawfully nonconforming building or structure
is damaged by wind, fire, or other casualty to such extent that the
cost of reconstruction or restoration is equal to or less than 50%
of the fair market value of such building or structure prior to the
occurrence of the casualty, then such reconstruction or restoration
shall be permitted.
(1)
In the event that any nonconforming building or structure is damaged by fire, wind, act of God or other casualty, and the cost of rebuilding or restoration exceeds 50% of the fair market value of the building or structure before rebuilding or restoration, then such rebuilding or restoration shall be permitted only when approved as a special land use by the Planning Commission in accordance with Article 23 of this chapter; provided, however, that in addition to the other standards for considering special land uses, the Planning Commission shall consider:
The lawful use of any building or structure existing and lawful
on the effective date of this chapter or any relevant amendment therein
may be continued, even though the use of such building or structure
does not comply with the provisions of this chapter or any relevant
amendment therein; subject, however, to the following limitations:
A.
Any lawfully nonconforming use may be expanded or extended throughout
any parts of a building or structure which were manifestly arranged
or designed for such use at the effective date of this chapter or
any relevant amendment therein, but no such nonconforming use shall
be expanded or extended to occupy any portion of the land outside
the building.
B.
No existing building or structure devoted to a nonconforming use
shall be enlarged, extended, constructed, reconstructed, moved or
structurally altered, except by reason of changing the use of the
building or structure to a use that is permitted in the zoning district
in which the building or structure is located.
C.
On any building or structure that is devoted in whole or in part
to a nonconforming use, work may be done on ordinary repairs or on
repair or replacement of fixtures, wiring, heating, plumbing, or other
building systems, provided that the building or structure is not thereby
enlarged, extended, or structurally altered.
D.
No provision in this chapter shall be deemed to prevent the strengthening
or restoring to a safe condition of any building or structure or any
part thereof devoted to a nonconforming use that is declared to be
unsafe by any Township official having jurisdiction over the safety
or condition of any building or structure.
E.
If a nonconforming use of any building or structure is terminated
and replaced by a permitted use, the nonconforming use shall not be
later reestablished.
F.
If a nonconforming use of a building or structure, or a nonconforming
building or structure and land in combination, is discontinued or
abandoned for at least 12 consecutive months, the building or structure,
or the building or structure and land in combination, shall not thereafter
be used except in compliance with the provisions of the zoning district
in which the building or structure, or building or structure and land
in combination, are located.
(1)
A nonconforming use shall be determined to be abandoned if one
or more of the following conditions exists, and shall be deemed to
constitute an intent on the part of the property owner to abandon
the nonconforming use:
(a)
Utilities, such as water, gas and electricity to the property,
have been disconnected.
(b)
The property, buildings, and grounds have fallen into disrepair.
(c)
Signs or other indications of the existence of the nonconforming
use have been removed.
(d)
Equipment or fixtures which are necessary for the operation
of the nonconforming use have been removed.
(e)
Other actions which, in the opinion of the Zoning Administrator,
constitute an intention on the part of the property owner or lessee
to abandon the nonconforming use.
A.
The nonconforming use of a lot or other parcel, or a building or
structure, may not be changed to another nonconforming use, either
in whole or in part.
B.
Any building or structure shall be considered existing and lawful
and for purposes of this article to have been in use for the purpose
for which constructed if, on the effective date of this chapter, or
any relevant amendment herein, a building permit has been obtained
therefor, if required, and construction is thereafter pursued diligently
to conclusion.
C.
If lawfully nonconforming use status applies to a building or structure
and land in combination, the removal or destruction of the building
or structure shall eliminate the lawful nonconforming status of the
land.
D.
The provisions of this article shall apply to land, buildings, structures,
and the use thereof which become nonconforming as a result of any
amendments in any of the zone district provisions or the other provisions
of this chapter.
