Except as otherwise provided in this article,
the lawfully permitted "use" of land or "buildings" and the lawfully
permitted existence of "structures" at the time of the adoption of,
or any amendment to, this chapter may be continued, although such
"use," "building" or "structure" does not conform to the regulations
specified by this chapter for the "district" in which such land, "building"
or "structure" is located. Said "uses" shall be deemed "nonconforming
uses," and said "buildings" and "structures" shall be deemed "dimensionally
nonconforming."
The "nonconforming use" of land may be continued;
provided, however, that no such "nonconforming use" shall be enlarged,
increased, intensified or expanded, nor shall it be extended to occupy
a greater area of land than that occupied by such "use" at the time
of the adoption of this chapter, unless specifically allowed by other
provisions in this chapter, nor shall any such "nonconforming use"
be moved in whole or in part to any other portion of the "lot" or
parcel of land occupied by such "nonconforming use" at the time of
the adoption of this chapter; provided, further, that if such "nonconforming
use" of land, or any portion thereof, ceases for any reason for any
continuous period of more than 180 days or is changed to a conforming
"use," any future "use" of the land shall be in conformity with the
provisions of this chapter. No "nonconforming use" of land shall be
changed to another "nonconforming use."
Any "use" lawfully existing on the effective
date of this amended chapter or on the date of any subsequent amendment
to this chapter in the "district" in which such "use" is or was at
that time classified in the chapter as one requiring a special permit
shall, without further action, be deemed to have a special permit
for such "use" as it lawfully exists. Any extension of or addition
to such "use" shall meet all requirements of this chapter.
A "building" or "structure" that is conforming
in "use" but does not conform to the "height," "yard," "lot" area,
"lot" dimensions, floor area, parking, loading, land "coverage" or
similar dimensional requirements of this chapter shall be deemed to
be "dimensionally nonconforming." No permit shall be issued that will
result in the increase of any such nonconformity. Any "building" or
"structure" or portion thereof may be altered to reduce its "dimensional
nonconformity." In the Planned Business A "District," a "building"
which is nonconforming because of its projection into a "parking area"
shall also be subject to the provisions of said "district" regarding
the elimination of such nonconforming portion.
Any "building" for which a permit has been duly
granted prior to the effective date of an amendment to this chapter
making such "building" nonconforming may nevertheless be completed,
provided that construction has been started before the effective date
of such amendment and the ground-"story" framework of which, including
the second tier of beams, has been completed within six months of
the date of the permit.