The purpose of this article is to provide for
the regulation of nonconforming buildings, structures and uses and
to specify those circumstances and conditions under which those nonconforming
buildings, structures and uses which adversely affect the maintenance,
development, use or taxable value of other property in the district
in which they are located shall be permitted to continue or shall
be discontinued. This chapter establishes separate districts, each
of which is an appropriate area for the location of the uses which
are permitted in that district. It is necessary and consistent with
the establishment of those districts that those nonconforming buildings,
structures and uses which substantially and adversely affect the orderly
development and taxable value of other property in the district be
discontinued or reduced to conformity as soon as the fair interests
of the parties will permit or be permitted to continue with certain
restrictions.
Any nonconforming building, structure or use
which existed lawfully at the time of the adoption of this chapter
and which remains nonconforming and any such building, structure or
use which shall become nonconforming upon the adoption of this chapter,
or of any subsequent amendments thereto, may be continued, some for
specified periods of time, subject to the regulations which follow.