Intent.

[Amended 7-17-1991]It is the intent of this article to carefully restrict nonconforming uses and structures and the expansion or alteration of nonconforming uses and structures. An essential element of this article is to preclude any change of use unless it is a continuation of the use and substantially the same character of use which legally existed at the date the original use commenced. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to permit the continuation of a use that was not a permitted use according to the zoning district dimensional regulations at the time it was commenced or the continuation of any structure that was not constructed according to the zoning district requirements at the time it was constructed.

Further, nothing herein contained shall be deemed to diminish or negate any variances that have been granted to any property.