Change of Use. A nonconforming use may be changed to another nonconforming use by grant of special exception only upon determination by the Zoning Hearing Board, after public hearing, that the proposed new use will be no more detrimental to its neighborhood and surroundings than is the use it is to replace. In determining relative detriment, the Zoning Hearing Board shall take into consideration, among other things: traffic generated; nuisance characteristics (such as emission of noise, dust, glare, and smoke); fire hazards; and hours and manner of operation.

Once changed to a conforming use, no structure or land shall be permitted to revert to a nonconforming use.

Extension or Enlargement. The nonconforming use of a building or of a lot shall not be extended or enlarged, so as to use other portions of the building or lot unless the Zoning Hearing Board shall, by special exception as hereinafter provided, authorize the extension or enlargement of such use or building. The Zoning Hearing Board, upon proper application, may grant such special exception provided that:

Restoration. A building containing a nonconforming use destroyed by fire, explosion, flood or other phenomenon, or legally condemned, may be reconstructed and used for the same nonconforming use, provided that reconstruction of the building shall be commenced within one year from the date the building was destroyed or condemned and shall be completed without interruption.

Abandonment. If a nonconforming use of a building or land is discontinued, razed, removed, or abandoned for 12 consecutive months, subsequent use of such building or land shall conform with the regulation of the district in which it is located, unless the same or another nonconforming use is approved by the Zoning Hearing Board and that permit application for such approved use be initiated within 60 days after the Zoning Hearing Board decision.

Extension or Enlargement.

Restoration. Any lawful nonconforming building or other structure which has been involuntarily damaged or destroyed by fire, explosion, windstorm, or other active cause may be reconstructed in the same location provided that:

A building may be constructed on a nonconforming lot of record in existence at the effective date of adoption of this chapter or any amendment thereto provided it meets the standards of the district it falls within, less and except the minimum lot size requirement or the minimum requirement for contiguous net lot area, where applicable. Where the contiguous net lot area requirement applies, and cannot be met, the granting of a building permit shall be conditioned upon demonstration of adequate sewage disposal to the Code Enforcement Officer and the Chester County Health Department. If any applicable setback and/or coverage requirement cannot be met, a variance must be obtained from the Zoning Hearing Board. Contiguous nonconforming lots under common ownership shall be considered one lot, unless there is a manifest intent by the owner to maintain such lots as separate lots.

No lot area shall be reduced so that the area or width of the lot or the applicable setback dimensions shall be smaller than herein prescribed.

Any existing nonconforming signs, signboards, billboards or advertising devices may be continued, subject to the following:

The owner of any lot located in the HR - High-Density Residential District forming a part of a subdivision developed under Article 900, "Lot Averaging and Cluster Development," of the East Vincent Township Zoning Ordinance of 1984 ("the 1984 Zoning Ordinance"), which lot is shown on a subdivision plan which was recorded prior to June 12, 2002 (the date of adoption of the East Vincent Township Zoning Ordinance of 2002), shall have the right to build upon such lot, including additions to existing structures, in accordance with the requirements of § 903 of the 1984 Zoning Ordinance, as amended through June 12, 2002, relating to front, side and rear yards, and building area coverage of principal and accessory buildings, provided that on or before June 12, 2002:

The requirements of § 903 of the 1984 Zoning Ordinance pertaining to front, side and rear yards and building area coverage in the R-4 High Density Residential District, are as follows: