The zoning districts established by this chapter are designed to guide the future use of land in the Municipality, encouraging the development and preservation of desirable residential and commercial areas, with appropriate groupings of compatible and related uses, to the end of promoting and protecting the public health, safety, comfort, prosperity and other aspects of the general welfare.

To achieve this end, lawful existing uses which would be prohibited or restricted under the terms of this chapter or future amendments, and which do not conform to the character and regulations of the zoning district in which they are located, must be subject to certain regulations.

To avoid such hardship nonconforming uses of land, buildings, and structures shall be permitted to remain. The purpose of this regulation in nonconforming uses which are not appropriate in their location is to restrict further investment in such uses. Exceptions shall be made in those instances where extensive investment is involved to avoid any unnecessary hardships in the use of such facilities.

To eliminate any undue hardship, nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to require any change in plans, specifications, construction or intended use of any building or structure for which plans, specifications, contract negotiations, or construction started, prior to the effective date of this chapter or amendments thereof.