A.
Continuance. Except as otherwise provided in this article, the lawful use of any structures or land existing at the date of adoption of this chapter may be continued even though such use does not conform to the provisions for the district in which such structure or land is located. The right to continue a nonconforming use remains with the land when title is transferred, subject to the provisions of this article.
B.
Extension or enlargement.
(1)
A nonconforming use existing at the date of adoption of this chapter may not be extended or enlarged except by special use permit, and may be extended only to adjacent structures or land if such adjacent structure or land was owned of record by the owner of such nonconforming structure or land as of the effective date of adoption of this chapter.
(2)
A nonconforming structure or use may not be extended or enlarged to other structures or land acquired subsequent to the date of adoption of this chapter.
(3)
No special use permit allowing the extension or enlargement of a nonconforming use shall be granted by the Town Board unless the regulations of this chapter, other than allowed uses for the district in which said nonconforming use is located, can be complied with. The Town Board may impose such reasonable conditions and restrictions as are directly related to and incidental to the proposed use of the property. Such proposed conditions shall be consistent with the spirit and intent of this chapter and shall be imposed for the purpose of minimizing any adverse impact such approval may have on the neighborhood or community.
C.
Changes. A nonconforming use may be changed to another similar or more restrictive nonconforming use with the approval of the ZBA. When changed to a more restrictive nonconforming use, such use shall not subsequently be changed back to a less restrictive nonconforming use. No nonconforming use, if changed to a conforming use, shall be changed back to a nonconforming use. The ZBA shall determine whether such proposed nonconforming use is similar or more restrictive, and may impose such reasonable conditions and restrictions as are directly related to and incidental to the proposed use of the property. Such conditions shall be consistent with the spirit and intent of this chapter and shall be imposed for the purpose of minimizing any adverse impact such approval may have on the neighborhood or community.
D.
Discontinuance. Whenever a nonconforming use has been discontinued for a period of 12 consecutive months (from a date determined by the Planning Department), such nonconforming use shall not be reestablished, and any subsequent use of such structure or land shall be in conformity with the provisions of this chapter for the district in which such structure or land is located.
E.
Repair and restoration. A structure used for a nonconforming use and damaged or destroyed by casualty to the extent that more than 50% of its total floor area is unusable without repair, replacement or restoration shall not be repaired, replaced or restored without the approval of the ZBA. The percentage extent of damage or destruction shall be made by the Planning Department. A building permit for such repair, replacement or restoration shall be obtained and work commenced within six months after such casualty, but this time limit may be extended by the ZBA in case of practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship. The ZBA may impose such reasonable conditions and restrictions as are directly related to and incidental to the proposed use of the property. Such conditions shall be consistent with the spirit and intent of this chapter and shall be imposed for the purpose of minimizing any adverse impact such approval may have on the neighborhood of community.