(a) It is the intent of this Zoning Ordinance to permit legal nonconforming lots, structures, or uses to continue until they are removed, but not to encourage their survival.
(b) Such uses are declared by this Zoning Ordinance to be incompatible with permitted uses in the districts involved. It is further the intent of this Zoning Ordinance that nonconformities shall not be enlarged upon, expanded or extended, nor be used as grounds for adding other structures or uses prohibited elsewhere in the same district.
(c) It is recognized that there exists within the districts established by this Zoning Ordinance and subsequent amendments, lots, structures and uses of land and structures which were lawful before this Zoning Ordinance was passed or amended would be prohibited, regulated, or under the terms of this Zoning Ordinance or future amendments.
(d) A nonconforming use of a structure, a nonconforming use of land, or a nonconforming use of a structure and land shall not be extended or enlarged after passage of this Zoning Ordinance by attachment on a building or premises of additional signs intended to be seen from off premises, or by addition of other uses of a nature which would not be permitted generally in the district involved.
(e) To avoid undue hardship, nothing in this Zoning Ordinance shall be deemed to require a change in the plans, construction or designated use of any building on which actual construction was lawfully begun prior to the effective date of adoption or amendment of this Zoning Ordinance and upon which actual building construction has been diligently carried on. Actual construction is hereby defined to include the placing of construction materials in permanent position and fastened in a permanent manner; except that where demolition or removal of an existing building has been substantially begun preparatory to rebuilding such demolition or removal shall be deemed to be actual construction, provided work shall be diligently carried on until completion of the building involved.
(Ord. 1166. Passed 9-24-01.)