Purpose

Buildings, structures or land nonconforming by use and/or nonconforming by dimension as defined in section 19-1, are incompatible with and detrimental to permitted uses in the zoning districts in which they are located, cause disruption of the comprehensive land use pattern of the city, inhibit present and future development of nearby properties and confer upon their owners and users a position of unfair advantage. It is a fundamental principle of this chapter that nonconformities may be continued but shall not be increased, except in circumstances where the findings of section 19-39 can be met, and should be eventually abolished or reduced to conformity according to the fair interests of the parties involved. It is also intended that existing nonconformities shall not cause further departures from this chapter for any properties.

(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 19-411)