George City Zoning Code
19.69 Non-Conforming
Uses
19.69.010 Continuation of Non-Conforming Use.
The use of land existing at the time of the passage of the ordinance codified in this title although such use does not conform to the provisions of this title, may continue upon such conditions as prescribed by the Planning Agency. After this ordinance becomes effective, and if such non-conforming use is abandoned, or is discontinued for a period of six months or more, subsequent use of the land shall be in conformity with the provisions of this title. The extension of a non-conforming use to a portion of a structure which was arranged or designed for the non-conforming use at the time the ordinance codified in this title becomes effective, shall not be considered an extension of a non-conforming use.
The conditions prescribed by the Planning Agency for the continued use of a non-conforming use must bear a substantial relation to the alleviation of a hazard to the health, morals, safety, or general welfare of the entire affected community and in particular that of surrounding inhabitants. Conditions may be prescribed including, but not limited to, those situations existing because of fumes, odors, glare, noise, smoke, dust, unsightly materials, or other objectionable factors. If, in fact, conditions are prescribed by the Planning Agency because of the continuation of the non-conforming use, the matter is to be reviewed by the Planning Agency no less frequently than two years and/or upon change of ownership.
19.69.015 Non-Conforming Uses, Conditions Upon Continued Existence, When, Procedure.
A. Those non-conforming uses allowed to continue to exist pursuant to Section 19.69.010, as now enacted or as hereafter amended, may be conditioned as provided in this section.
B. The Planner, upon receipt of any claim, complaint, report, or information that a non-conforming use exists within the City shall investigate such claim, complaint, report, or information and make a determination as set forth below.
C. At the conclusion of his investigation, the Planner shall determine if the use is a non-conforming use.
D. If the use is found to be a non-conforming use, the Planner shall determine whether or not the use is allowed to continue pursuant to Section 19.69.010. If the use is not found to be a use allowed to continue pursuant to Section 19.69.010, the Planner shall proceed as provided in this chapter to terminate the use.
E. If the use is found to be a non-conforming use allowed to continue pursuant to Section 19.69.010, the Building Official, Fire Chief, and Planner shall make written summary of their findings and submit them, together with any conditions that, in their opinion, should be attached to the use, to the Planning Agency.
F. Upon completion of the documentation described in subsection B, the Planning Agency shall proceed to set a date for a public hearing within sixty (60) days of the receipt of the information, unless waived by the subject property owner, before the Planning Agency. The purpose of that hearing shall be to determine what conditions, if any, shall be attached to the continuing non-conforming use pursuant to 19.69.010. Notice of the hearing shall be published at least once prior to the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the City. Additionally, the Planner shall cause notice of the public hearing to be delivered to the adjacent land owners and occupants by mailing, posting, or personal notification, whichever the Planner determines is likely to give actual notice of the hearing to those persons.
G. At the conclusion of the public hearing, the Planning Agency shall make a finding on whether or not conditions need to be imposed pursuant to Section 19.69.010. If the Planning Agency finds conditions are necessary, it shall make findings as to what conditions and the reasons therefore.
H. Any non-conforming use found to be required to be conditioned, will be allowed to continue as long as the person, firm, partnership, or corporation responsible for that non-conforming use agrees to abide by and be governed by the conditions imposed by the Planning Agency within the time limit set by the Planning Agency. The conditions imposed by the Planning Agency may be for a period of up to 24 months. The Planning Agency may require more frequent review of the conditions imposed on the use as it may direct at the initial public hearing or any subsequent review.
I. Additionally, the Planner may bring a set of conditions on for review before the date provided at the time the conditions were set, upon a complaint being brought to its attention by the Planner or any citizen. The Planning Agency shall determine from a review of the complaint whether or not the allegation is sufficient to warrant a further hearing on the question. If a further hearing is deemed appropriate, the Planning Agency shall cause to be sent to the person, firm, partnership, or corporation responsible for the non-conforming use a notice of a hearing before the Planning Agency setting the date, time, and place of the hearing. The notice shall provide, in all capital letters, in a conspicuous place thereon: "THIS HEARING COULD DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT YOUR NON-CONFORMING USE IS ALLOWED TO CONTINUE." Said notice shall be delivered in the same manner as personal service of summons to the responsible person, or posted upon the real property in question, or sent by United States mail service, postage prepaid, to the address of the responsible person. Said notice shall allow the responsible party five days time before the hearing within which to prepare, unless the Planning Agency findings at the time it considers the allegation of non-compliance that the public health, safety, and morals require a hearing before that time.
J. Either prior to or at least at the time of the hearing to consider the allegations of complaint concerning non-compliance with conditions, the Planning Agency shall inform the person, firm, partnership, or corporation responsible for the non-conforming use of the notice of the alleged violation. The Planner shall present the evidence of the failure to comply. The responsible person shall then be allowed to respond if that person so desires. The Planning Agency shall then make its findings. It shall find whether or not the conditions have been violated; whether or not any violation has occurred of such magnitude to require additional conditions, more frequent reviews of conditions, or termination. If termination of the privilege to continue the non-conforming use is determined by the Planning Agency as the only method that can protect the public health, safety, and morals to an acceptable degree, the Planning Agency shall determine the date and time of termination. Once the privilege is terminated for failure to observe conditions, the Planning Agency shall proceed to direct the Planner to enforce the provisions of this chapter to terminate the use.
K. Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Planning Agency may appeal to the City Council as provided in Chapter 18.11.
19.69.020 Non-Conforming Structure.
A structure conforming with respect to use but non-conforming with respect to height, setback, or coverage may be altered or extended if the alteration or extension does not deviate further from the standards of this title, unless otherwise stated in this chapter.
19.69.030 Change of a Non-Conforming Use.
If a non-conforming use is replaced by another use, the new use shall conform to this title and shall not subsequently be replaced by a non-conforming use.
19.69.040 Change of District.
The provisions of this chapter shall also apply to non-conforming uses in districts hereafter changed or established and any time limit for the suspension of a non-conforming use of land shall date from the date of the enactment of the ordinance codified in this title or any amendment of district boundaries.
19.69.050 Remodeling a Non-Conforming Use.
Recognizing that there are non-conforming buildings or structures which are now existing which should be upgraded or improved by replacement, rebuilding, or addition thereto, the City Council may, after a public hearing before the Planning Agency, issue a permit for the replacement, rebuilding, or addition to an existing non-conforming building or structure. As a condition to the issuance of the permit the City Council shall require plans and specifications of the proposed replacement, rebuilding, or addition be filed and that a bond in an amount to be set by the Council be posted to assure compliance with the plans and specifications so filed. No permit shall be issued unless the City Council finds that the proposed replacement, rebuilding, or addition will be compatible with the lot or tract of land involved and, further, that it will not be detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of the surrounding area.
The aforesaid section shall not apply to duplexes in areas currently zoned R-1 or areas subsequently zoned R-1 either through a rezoning or upon territory being annexed into the corporate limits of the City of George which are intended to be replaced, rebuilt, or added to totally or partially because of destruction. In the case of such replacement, rebuilding, or addition Section 19.69.060 shall apply.
19.69.060 Rebuilding Duplexes in R-1 Zones.
In areas currently zoned R-1 or areas subsequently zoned R-1 either through a rezoning or upon territory being annexed into the corporate limits of the City of George if a duplex exists as a non-conforming use and is destroyed, it may be replaced, rebuilt, or added to by the owner/purchaser/ vendee of the duplex without reference to the provisions of Section 19.69.050. In the case of such aforesaid replacement, rebuilding, or addition, the duplex may be replaced, rebuilt, or added to upon obtaining a building permit as is required for all construction in the City of George under Chapter 15.20, provided, that the replacement, rebuilding, or addition otherwise complies with all other current or subsequently enacted ordinances of the City of George including but not limited to ordinances referencing the State Building Code, Chapter 15.20 of this Code and ordinances referencing the R-1 Single Family Residential Zone George Municipal Code 19.16.010 through 19.16.140 inclusive.
If an exclusion from any of the above referenced ordinances is desired, application must be made to the City Council who may allow the sought after exclusion if the City Council finds that strict adherence to the ordinances would work an injustice against the owner/purchaser/vendee of the duplex and further would not be detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of the surrounding area.