The following provisions shall apply to all nonconforming uses.
(A) A nonconforming use of land or structure or both in combination may be continued but may not be extended, expanded, or changed unless to a conforming use, except as specified herein or as permitted by the Board of Zoning Appeals after recommendations by the Plan Commission in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(B) An existing nonconforming use which occupies only a portion of an existing structure may be extended throughout the structure, provided the change or extension does not eliminate, displace, prevent, or restrict the continuance of any then existing use being concurrently carried on in the structure which conforms with the requirement of this chapter.
(C) If no structural alterations are made, any nonconforming use of a structure, or structure and land, may be changed to another nonconforming use provided that the Board of Zoning Appeals approves of the change as a special exception. In reviewing specific cases, the Board shall only approve a proposed use if it is equally appropriate or more appropriate to the district than the existing or former nonconforming use. In addition, the Board may require appropriate conditions and safeguards in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(D) If any nonconforming use of land, or structure, or both in combination ceases for any reason for a period of more than 12 consecutive months, the land, structure, or structure and land in combination shall not thereafter be used except in conformance with the regulations of the district in which it is located.
(Ord. 28-1984, passed 8-14-84) Penalty, see § 155.999