Continuation. The lawful use of a building or land existing on the effective date of this chapter may be continued although such use does not conform to the provisions of this chapter.

Extension. A building housing a nonconforming use may be extended upon the lot occupied by such building held in single and separate ownership at the effective date of this chapter when authorized as a special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board in accordance with the standards set forth in § 162-61, provided that the Zoning Hearing Board in granting such special exception may impose other requirements on the extension of a building housing a nonconforming use so that the extended building will conform in all respects to the area, setback and bulk regulations and design standards which apply in the district in which the building is located; provided further that the applicant shall have the burden of proof that his application falls within the provisions of this chapter and that the granting of his application will not be contrary to the public interest.

Restoration. A nonconforming building which has been damaged or destroyed by fire or other casualty may be reconstructed and used for the same nonconforming use, provided that the reconstructed building shall not exceed in height, area and volume the building destroyed and that building reconstruction shall be commenced within one year from the date the building was destroyed and shall be carried on without interruption.

Cessation of nonconforming use. If a nonconforming use of land or of a building ceases for a continuous period of one year or more, subsequent use of such building or land shall be in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.

No building may be erected, altered or extended on any lot held at the effective date of this chapter in single and separate ownership which is not of the required minimum area or width or is of such unusual dimensions that the owner would have difficulty in providing the required open spaces for the district in which such lot is situated, unless a special exception is authorized by the Zoning Hearing Board in accordance with the standards set forth in § 162-61, and provided that the applicant does not own or control other adjoining property sufficient to enable him to comply with the provisions of this chapter.

The Zoning Hearing Board shall deem it properly incumbent upon the applicant to conform as much as reasonably possible with the provisions of this chapter. Thus, the owner of a nonconforming lot has no inherent right to build in gross conflict with setback, side and rear yard requirements.

The design standards imposed for uses within the district in which the nonconforming lot lies may be applied to the use of the nonconforming lot.

Any sign, signboard, billboard or advertising device existing at the time of the passage of this chapter that does not conform to the regulations of the district in which it is located shall be considered a nonconforming sign and may be used in its existing location, provided it is maintained in good condition and repair at all times.

Nonconforming signs once removed may be replaced only with conforming signs; however, legal nonconforming signs may be repainted or, after issue of a permit, repaired or modernized, provided that such repaired or modernized sign does not exceed the dimensions of the existing sign.

Screening. A complete visual barrier consisting of evergreen plantings at a minimum height of six feet or a suitable landscape screen approved by the Zoning Officer shall be provided and continually maintained between any industrial or commercial district and contiguous residentially zoned districts and in a residential district between an apartment or townhouse use and a contiguous R-1 or R-2 residential use. All uses permitted by special exception shall require screening when so directed by the Zoning Hearing Board.

Storage. All storage shall be completely screened from view from any public right-of-way and any R-1 or R-2 Residential District which abuts the district. Screening shall consist of evergreen planting or an architectural screen. All trash, garbage or rubbish shall be contained in airtight, verminproof containers, which containers shall be in an enclosed area and screened from view.

Landscaping.

Access and traffic control. All accessways to any public street or highway shall be located at least 80 feet from the intersection of any street line and shall be designed in a manner conducive to safe ingress and egress. The developer shall be responsible for the construction of any necessary traffic control devices or additional acceleration lanes required by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Transportation.

Interior circulation.

Lighting. The parking, loading, ingress and egress areas of any zoning district shall be provided with a minimum of 0.75 lumen at any point, with lighting standards in parking areas being located not farther than 100 feet apart. All light sources shall be completely shielded from traffic on any public right-of-way and from any residential district.

Off-street loading regulations.

Standards. Off-street parking spaces, with proper and safe access from a street, shall be provided on each lot, either within a structure or in the open. Parking space for one vehicle shall be nine feet by 18 feet in size. Parking spaces shall have an approved paved surface and shall have a safe and convenient access in all seasons. Parking lots shall be lined to show access lanes and parking spaces.

Requirements. There shall be sufficient parking spaces provided for each use so that there is a minimum of one space for each employee plus additional parking spaces to be provided by the application of the appropriate formula listed below for each use. All other uses not specified below shall provide at least one off-street parking space for each employee.