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HomeMy WebLinkAboutO-2002-050 ORDINANCE NO. 2002-050 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 28 "ZONING" OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF DANIA BEACH, FLORIDA, BY AMENDING ARTICLE 2. "DEFINITIONS," SECTION 2.10. "DEFINITIONS" TO DEFINE TERMS RELATED TO NONCONFORMITIES; AMENDING ARTICLE 8 "NONCONFORMITIES" TO REVISE THE STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO NONCONFORMITIES WITHIN THE CITY OF DANIA BEACH; AMENDING ARTICLE XXVII. "INDUSTRIAL-RESEARCH-OFFICE-MARINE (IROM) DISTRICT," SECTION 27.80 "LAWFULLY EXISTING DEVELOPMENT" TO ADDRESS THE APPLICABILITY OF THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE; AMENDING ARTICLE XXX. "INDUSTRIAL-RESEARCH-OFFICE- COMMERCIAL (IROC) DISTRICT," SECTION 30.80 "LAWFULLY EXISTING DEVELOPMENT" TO ADDRESS THE APPLICABILITY OF THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; FURTHER, PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, Chapter 28 "Zoning," Article 8 "Nonconformities" of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Dania Beach (the "City") regulates nonconforming uses and structures within the City; and WHEREAS, revisions to Article 8, including the addition of relevant definitions to Chapter 28 "Zoning," Article 2 "Definitions," have been prepared and recommended by the City's staff; and WHEREAS, the City's Planning and Zoning Advisory Board, sitting as the local planning agency, has reviewed this Ordinance and recommended its approval to the City Commission; and WHEREAS, the City Commission has determined that it is appropriate to revise these standards based on the recommendation of its professional staff, and WHEREAS, the Commission finds that this Ordinance is consistent with the City's adopted Comprehensive Plan and necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety and welfare of the City's residents; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DANIA BEACH, FLORIDA: Section 1. That Chapter 28 "Zoning" of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Dania Beach, Florida, Article II. "Definitions," is amended to add the following definitions. CHAPTER 28. ZONING. 1 ORDINANCE NO. 2002-050 ARTICLE 2. DEFINITIONS 2.10. Definitions. * * * * * * Nonconforming Characteristic of a Nonconforming Use. Off-street parking or off-street loading or other matter pertaining to the use of land, water, structures and premises that is lawfully existing on the effective date of this Chapter 28 (or of any amendment which renders such characteristic nonconforming) which does not comply with all of the requirements of this Chapter as it may be amended. Nonconforming Sign See Division 28 Section 28.190 of this Chapter for treatment of nonconforming signs. Nonconforming Structure Any structure (other than a sign) lawfully existing on the effective date of this Chapter 28 (or of any amendment which renders such structure nonconforming), which does not comply with restrictions on lot area, lot coverage, height setbacks, location on the lot or any such requirements of this Chapter as it may be amended (other than use regulations). Nonconforming Use Any use lawfully being made of any land, water or structure (other than a sin) on the effective date of this Chapter 28 or of any amendment which irenders such use nonconforming) which does not comply with all of the requirements of these regulations as they may be amended The casual, temporary, or illegal use of land or structures or land and structures in combination shall not be sufficient to establish the existence of a nonconforming use or to create rights in the continuance of such use. * * Substantial Damage Damage of any origin sustained by a structure where the cost of restoring the structure to its condition prior to damage would equal or exceed fifty (50) percent of the adjusted replacement cost of the structure before the damage occurred, as assessed through current Marshall & Swift construction cost data publications. Substantial Improvement Replacement of any two exterior walls and the roof within a period of one year shall constitute a substantial improvement Substantial improvement shall also mean any repair, reconstruction or improvement of a structure within a period of one year, the cost of which equals or exceeds fifty (50) percent of the market value of the structure as determined by the Office of the Property Appraiser of Broward County, either (1) before the improvement or repair is started, or (2) if the structure has been damaged and is being restored, before the damage occurred. The total cost shall not include nonstructural interior finishing except when determining whether the structure has been substantially improved as a result of a single improvement or repair, or 2 ORDINANCE NO. 2002-050 substantially damaged as a result of a single event. For purposes of this definition, substantial improvement is considered to occur when the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor or other structural part of the building commences, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimension of the structure. The term does not include (1) any project for the improvement of a structure to comply with existing state or local health sanitary or safety code specifications which are necessary solely to assure safe living conditions; or (2) any alteration of a structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places or the Florida Inventory of Historic Places. Section 2. That Chapter 28 "Zoning" of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Dania Beach, Florida, Article VIII. "Nonconformities," is amended to read as follows: CHAPTER 28. ZONING. ARTICLE 8. NONCON FORM ITIES. 8.10. Continuation of exist use or structure. Nonconforming structures and uses that are otherwise lawful L h„i�rlinn „r may be continued except as otherwise provided in this article. Changes in tenancy, • ownership or management of a nonconformity are permitted, provided there is no change in the nature or character of such nonconformity. the use, or building, or any physiGal Gharar__tP_r0q_t*r_!.; of Said use or building, as not in full 8.20. Regulation of nonconforming uses and structures. No existing building des A nonconforming structure or structure devoted to a nonconforming use that is otherwise lawful may be maintained, but shall not be enlarged, extended, reconstructed, substituted or structurally altered eXGept w unless it is changed to a conforming use and structure, or when required to do so by law and as follows except as otherwise provided below: PeFGeRt RESTORATION. Any nonGonferming StFUGtUre whiGh has less than seventy five ) of its previous existing floor area made unsafe or unusable rnay restered, FeGenStFUGted or used as before, provided th;;t the floor area ()f qimh ,&a, All repairs shall be Gornpleted within ene ye-ar after d-arnages OGGLIF OF SUGh -me shall not 3 ORDINANCE NO. 2002-050 8.22-1. NORMAL REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE OF STRUCTURE. Normal maintenance, repair and incidental alteration of a nonconforming structure or a structure containing a nonconforming use is permitted, provided it does not extend the area or volume of space occupied by the nonconforming use. A building or other structure containing residential nonconforming uses may be altered in any way to improve interior livability. Provides However, that no structural alterations shall be made which would increase the number of dwelling units. 8.22 NONCONFORMING USE OF LAND OR WATER WITHOUT STRUCTURES. (a) The nonconforming use shall not be altered or intensified by adding additional nonconforming uses within the confines of the property containing such nonconforming use. (b) Structures which can be used for the nonconforming use shall not be added to the land or water devoted to the nonconforming use. 8.23 NONCONFORMING USE OF STRUCTURE (or structure and land or water in combination): (a) The nonconforming use shall not be enlarged, extended, constructed, reconstructed, moved (other than an historic structure listed in the National Register of Historic Places or the Florida Inventory of Historic Places), or structurally altered except for the purpose of changing the use to a use permitted in the zoning district in which it is located The structure containing the nonconforming use shall not be divided or enlarged unless the nonconforming use is discontinued. (b) The nonconforming use shall not be extended to occupy any additional structure on the same lot or parcel not used for such nonconforming use at the time the nonconformity was established. (c) Any structure in or on which the nonconforming use is replaced by a permitted use shall thereafter conform to the use regulations for the zoning district in which such structure is located and the former nonconforming use shall not thereafter be resumed nor shall any other nonconforming use be permitted. (d) A nonconforming use that is a regulated adult use shall be governed by Article 31, Section 31.70 of this Chapter 28. 8.24 NONCONFORMING CHARACTERISTIC OF A NONCONFORMING USE. If a characteristic of a conforming use is made nonconforming by this Chapter as adopted or amended, no change shall thereafter be made in such characteristic of use which increases its nonconformity. Changes may be made which do not increase, or which decrease such nonconformity. 4 ORDINANCE NO. 2002-050 8.25 NONCONFORMING STRUCTURE. (a) Should such structure be moved for any reason for any distance whatever, other than as a result of governmental action, it shall thereafter conform to the regulations for the zoning district in which it is located after it is moved. (b) Notwithstanding Section 8 20, enlargements or alterations to a nonconforming historic structure listed in the National Register of Historic Places or the Florida Inventory of Historic Places shall be permitted provided that: (i) the enlargement or alteration does not exceed the nonconforming yard or height established by the existing structure and is otherwise .in compliance with all other applicable land development regulations: and (ii) a Certificate of Appropriateness for the enlargement or alteration has been obtained as required by Chapter 8, Article XI. 8.30. Termination of nonconforming uses and structures. 8.31. oRonlnnnlMEN CESSATION OF NONCONFORMING USE OR NONCONFORMING STRUCTURE. Failure to use a A nonconforming use or nonconforming structure net us for a period of ene year six months (except where governmental action impedes access to the premises), andVor the change of use to a more restricted or conforming use for any period of time,_ shall be considered an abandORmen cessation thereof and such nonconforming use or structure shall not thereafter be revived. Cessation of a mobile home or recreational vehicle located on an individual lot in a zoning district not permitting that use shall be measured by the removal of such home or vehicle from the lot for a period of one year. 8.32. pARTl41 DESTRUCTION SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO STRUCTURE. When seventy five PerGent o a nonconforming structure or structure occupied by a nonconforming use is substantially damaged -nsafe of wn-sable, the use of such structure as a nonconforming use shall thereafter be terminated and the use and structure shall be made to conform to current Code requirements If damage is not substantial as defined in Article 2 Section 2.10, all repairs shall be completed within one year after damage occurs or such use or structure shall be rebuilt in conformity with this Code. 8.33 SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT TO STRUCTURE. Nonconforming structures or structures devoted to nonconforming uses may be improved as long as the improvement does not constitute a substantial improvement as defined in Article 2, Section 2.10. 5 ORDINANCE NO. 2002-050 8 40 Nonconforming structures or buildings — Compliance with Building Code. 8.41 Conformity of existing buildings or structures with the technical requirements of the Florida Building Code (i.e, plumbing fire, electrical mechanical, etc.) shall be determined under Chapter 34 of that Code. Section 3. That Chapter 28 "Zoning" of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Dania Beach, Florida, Article XXVII. "INDUSTRIAL-RESEARCH-OFFICE-MARINE (IROM) DISTRICT," Section 27.80 "Lawfully Existing Development" is amended to read as follows: CHAPTER 28. ZONING. ARTICLE 27. INDUSTRIAL-RESEARCH-OFFICE-MARINE (IROM) DISTRICT. 27.80. Lawfully existing development. For the purposes of this article, all uses, structures and area development features (such as, but not limited to, setbacks, landscaping and parking) lawfully existing upon the effective date of this article, which do not otherwise meet the requirements of this article, may lawfully continue unless and until abandefled ceased as provided in Article 8 of this chapter. For the purposes of this article, an existing group of structures designed as a single site or operating as a single site as of the effective date of this article shall be known as a "project." Such uses within a project may change as to the location of nonconforming existing uses within buildings located in the project so long as the square footage of those respective uses is not increased in its totality within the project. Destruction of a single structure not located within a project shall be governed as provided in Article 8 of this chapter. Furthermore, if more than sixty-five (65) percent of the gross floor area of the structures within a project is destroyed by casualty or Act of God, the destroyed structures within the project shall be rebuilt only in accordance with these regulations; provided, however, if sixty-five (65) percent or less is destroyed, the structure or structures may be restored or reconstructed so long as the structure(s) shall not exceed the floor area which existed prior to the damage. If a structure contains multiple spaces, the spaces may be combined so long as such combination does not expand a nonconforming use. Conformity of existing buildings or structures with the technical requirements of the Florida Building Code (i.e, plumbing, fire, electrical, mechanical etc.) shall be determined under Chapter 34 of that Code. Section 4. That Chapter 28 "Zoning" of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Dania Beach, Florida ("Chapter 28"), Article XXX. "INDUSTRIAL-RESEARCH-OFFICE- COMMERCIAL (IROC) DISTRICT," Section 30.80 "Lawfully Existing Development" is amended to read as follows: 6 ORDINANCE NO. 2002-050 CHAPTER 28. ZONING. ARTICLE 30. INDUSTRIAL-RESEARCH-OFFICE-COMMERCIAL (IROC) DISTRICT. 30.80. Lawfully existing development. For the purposes of this article, all uses, structures and area development features (such as, but not limited to, setbacks, landscaping and parking) lawfully existing upon the effective date of this article, which do not otherwise meet the requirements of this article, may lawfully continue unless and until ceased as provided in Article 8 of this chapter. For the purposes of this article, an existing group of structures designed as a single site or operating as a single site as of the effective date of this article shall be known as a "project." Such uses within a project may change as to the location of nonconforming existing uses within buildings located in the project so long as the square footage of those respective uses is not increased in its totality within the project. Destruction of a single structure not located within a project shall be governed as provided in Article 8 of this chapter. Furthermore, if more than sixty-five (65) percent of the gross floor area of the structures within a project is destroyed by casualty or Act of God, the destroyed structures within the project shall be rebuilt only in accordance with these regulations; provided, however, if sixty-five (65) percent or less is destroyed, the structure or structures may be restored or reconstructed so long as the structure(s) shall not exceed the floor area which existed prior to the damage. If a structure contains multiple spaces, the spaces may be combined so long as such combination does not expand a nonconforming use. Conformity of existing buildings or structures with the technical requirements of the Florida Building Code (i.e plumbing, fire electrical, mechanical, etc ) shall be determined under Chapter 34 of that Code. Section 5. That, except as amended above, all other provisions of Chapter 28 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Dania Beach, Florida, as amended, shall remain in full force and effect. Section 6. That all ordinances or parts of ordinances and all resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance are repealed. Section 7. That if any section, clause, sentence or phrase of this ordinance is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, the holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance. Section 8. That the provisions of this Ordinance shall become and be made a part of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Dania Beach, Florida, that the sections of the Ordinance may be renumbered or relettered to accomplish such intentions, and that the word "Ordinance" shall be changed to "Section," "Article" or other appropriate word. Section 9. That this ordinance shall take effect immediately at the time of its passage and adoption. 7 ORDINANCE NO. 2002-050 PASSED on first reading on November 26, 2002. PASSED AND ADOPTED on second reading on December 10, 2002. OVED: ROB T H. CH JR. MAY R-COMMISSIONER ATTEST: ROLL CALL: �jdCOMMISSIONER BERTINO - YES ' COMMISSIONER MCELYEA - YES CHARLENE J NSON COMMISSIONER MIKES - YES CITY CLERK VICE-MAYOR FLURY - YES MAYOR CHUNN - YES APPROVED ASVORM AND CORRECTNESS: BY: T O AS ANSBRO CITY ATTORNEY 8 ORDINANCE NO. 2002-050 SUN- SENTINEL PUBLISHED DAILY CITY OF DANIA BEACH NOTICE OF FORT LAUDERDALE BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA PUBLIC NEARING ► The City Commission of BOCA RATON, PALL BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA the City of Dania Beach roposes to adopt the fol- MIAMI, MIAMI DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA Powingordinance: Date:Tuesday,December 10,2002 Time: 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as possi- STATE OF FLORIDA ble Place: city commission COUNTY OF BROWARD/PALM BEACH/MIAMI DADE Room BEFORE T N E NED AUTHORITY, PERSONALLY APPEARED Dania Beach Administra- tive Center 1o0 West Dania Beach Blvd. WHO,ON OATH,SAYS THAT Dania Beach, Florida HENS L A AN ORDINANCE AMEND- UTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CLASSIFIED 33004 DE ,MRTMENT OF THE SUN-SENTINEL,DAILY NEWSPAPER PUBUSHED ING CHAPTER 28 I ROWARD/PALM BEACH/MIAMI DADE COUNTY,FLORIDA, AND THAT THE OFONING ORDINANCES OF THE ATTACHED COPY OF ADVERTISEMENT,BEING A: CITY of DANIA BEACH, FLORIDQ, BY AMENDING ARTICLE• 2. CITY OF DANIA BEACHNOTICE OF PUBLIC HEAR 2. 0.INIDEFINITIONS'TITO DEFINE TERMS RELATED TO NONCONFORMITIES; IN THE MATTER OF: AMENDING ARTICLE 8 NONCONFORMITIES- TO REVISE THE STANDARDSI Cha tBr 28 APPLICABLE TO NONCON- P FORMITIES WITHIN THE CITY OF DANIA BEACH;ARTICLE XXV i IN THE CIRCUIT COURT,WAS PUBUSHED IN SAID NEWSPAPER IN THE AMENDING "INDUSTRIAL-RESEARCH- II. OFFICE-MARINE (IROM) ISSUES OF: DISTRICT,-SECTION 27.80 'LAWFULLY EXISTING DE- VELOPMENT'TO ADDRESS 11/28,1D 11192536 TTHE HE APPLI ABILITYBUIL OF NG CODE; AMENDING ARTI- CLEAFFIANT FURTHER SAYS THAT THE SAID SUN-SENTINEL IS A NEWSPAPER INDUSTRIAL- RESEARCH-OCH-OFFICE-COM- , PUBLISHED IN SAID BROWARD/PALM BEACH/MIAMI DADE COUNTY,FLORIDA, MERCIAL (IROC) DIS- TRICT," 0. AND THAT THE SAID NEWSPAPER HAS HERETOFORE BEEN CONTINUOUSLY ILAWU�r EXISTING DE- PUBUSHED IN SAID BROWARD/PALM BEACH/MIAMI DADE COUNTY,FLORIDA, DE- VELOPMENT-APPLICABILITY OF ADDRESS, THE APPLICABILITY OF! EACH DAY,AND HAS BEEN ENTERED AS SECOND CLASS MATTER AT THE THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE; PROVIDING FOR POST OFFICE IN FORT LAUDERDALE,IN SAID BROWARD COUNTY,FLORIDA, CONFLICTS; .PROVIDING FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR NEXT PRECEDING THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF FOR BILITY; - VIDING F FOROR CODIFPROCA- ATTACHED COPY OF ADVERTISEMENT;AND AFFIANT FURTHER SAYS THAT TION; FURTHER, PROVID- ING FOR AN EFFECTIVE HE/SHE HAS NEITHER PAID,NOR PROMISED,ANY PERSON,FIRM, OR DATE. CORPORATION,ANY DISCOUNT,REBATE,COMMISSION,OR REFUND,FOR THE This ordinance affects properties throughout the_ PURPOSE OF SECURING TH ADVERTISEMENT FOR PUBLICATION IN SAID city. For information about or to Inspect the NEWSPAPER. proposed amendments, contact the City's Growth Management Depart- ment, 100 West Dania Reach(SIGN LIRE OF AFFIANT) Florida, 954)n924-364ia 5 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.,Mon- RRN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME day Friday.Interested par- ties may appear at the ON: 28-November-2002 , A.D. public hearing and be heard with respect to the proposed amendments In accordance with the Americans With Disabili- ties Act,persons needing assistance to participate (SIGNATURE OF NOTARY PUBLIC) in any of these proceed- ings should contact Char- .io!!"•�':'°( Tara L Beza lene Johnson, City Clerk, •` ':= M)'COMMISSION# DD024939 EXPIRES 100 N. Dania Beach Blvd. Dania Beach, FL 33004, Jul)/20, 2005 (9S4)924-3622,at least 48 ovor,ru�u-Poi FAIN NSUPANCF wC hours prior to meeting Any person who decides to apppeal any decision- made by the Dania Beach; (NAME OF NOTARY,TYPED,PRINTED, OR STAMP ) City Commission with re- gard to any matmr consid- ered at this meeting or PERSONALLY KNOWN OR hearing will need a record of the proceedings and for such purpose may need to PRODUCED IDENTIFICATION ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings cl made,which record cludes the testimony and 'evidence upon which the appeal Is to based. Lou Ann Cunningham Planning Technician Novemb&r 28,2002 t . AGENDA REQUEST FORM CITY OF DANIA BEACH • AG ENDA ITEM NO. 1. DATE OF COMMISSION MEETING: DECEMBER 10, 2002 2. DESCRIPTION OF AGENDA ITEM: PUBLIC HEARING—ORDINANCE NON-CONFORMING USES 3. COMMISSION ACTION BEING REQUESTED: ADOPT ORDINANCE ON 2ND READING 4. SUMMARY EXPLANATION & BACKGROUND: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 28 "ZONING' OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF DANIA BEACH, FLORIDA, BY AMENDING ARTICLE 2. "DEFINITIONS," SECTION 2.10. "DEFINITIONS" TO DEFINE TERMS RELATED TO NONCON FORM ITIES; AMENDING ARTICLE 8 "NONCONFORMITIES" TO REVISE THE STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO NONCONFORMITIES WITHIN THE CITY OF DANIA BEACH;AMENDING ARTICLE XXVI1. "INDUSTRIAL-RESEARCH-OFFICE-MARINE (IROM) DISTRICT," SECTION 27.80 . "LAWFULLY . EXISTING DEVELOPMENT' TO ADDRESS THE APPLICABILITY OF THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE; AMENDING ARTICLE XXX. "INDUSTRIAL-RESEARCH-OFFICE-COMMERCIAL (IROC) DISTRICT," SECTION 30.80 "LAWFULLY EXISTING DEVELOPMENT" TO ADDRESS THE APPLICABILITY OF THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; FURTHER, PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. 5. ATTACHED EXHIBITS AND ADDITIONAL BACKUP MATERIALS (PLEASE LIST): Staff Report Ordinance Public Hearing Notice 6. FOR PURCHASING REQUESTS ONLY: Dept: Amount: $ 7. REVIEWED AND APPROVED FOR ADDITION ON AGENDA: Submitted by: Laurence G. Leeds, AICP, Director Date December 2, 2002 Growth Management Department City Manager Date GROWTH MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT STAFF REPORT TO: Ivan Pato, City Manager G. e" FROM: Laurence Leeds, AICP, Director Growth Management Department DATE: December 10, 2002 City Commission Meeting RE: Amendments to Non-Conforming Use Regulations (SECOND READING — PUBLIC HEARING) APPLICANT: City Commission EXPLANATION The attached ordinance was prepared by the City Attorney at the request of the City Commission. The ordinance applies to the entire city with some exceptions. A summary of major changes include the following: 1) LOSS OF NON-CONFORMING STRUCTURE STATUS (setback, landscaping, lack of parking, etc.) occurs when 75% or more of the existing floor area is made unsafe or unusable by fire or other casualty or act of God. The proposed language defines loss of non-conforming structure status by the term "Substantial Damage." Substantial damage is damage from any origin sustained by a structure where the cost of restoring the structure to its condition prior to damage would equal or exceed fifty (50) percent of the adjusted replacement cost of the structure before the damage occurred, as assessed through current R. S. Means construction cost data publications. "Loss of non-conforming status" is specifically defined as the replacement of any two exterior walls and the roof within a period of one year, or, any repair, reconstruction or improvement of a structure within a period of one year, the cost of which equals or exceeds fifty (50) percent of the market value of the structure, as determined by the Office of the Property Appraiser of Broward County, either (1) before the improvement or repair is started, or (2) if the structure has been damaged and is being restored, before the damage occurred. This language is intended to define the point at which demolition and restoration is so extensive that the building must either conform to code or be demolished. 2) ABANDONMENT OF NONCONFORMING USE OF LAND is now defined as failure to use a nonconforming use for a period of one year. The proposed language defines abandonment as failure to use a nonconforming use for a period of six months except where governmental action impedes access to the premises. Staff currently argues that failure to obtain an occupational licensee for one year is evidence of abandonment. Proving loss of non-conformity in six months will present evidentiary challenges not currently faced by the City. 3) DEFINITION OF NON-CONFORMING USE OF LAND. The proposed language states that the 'casual, temporary, or illegal use of land" shall not be sufficient to establish the existence of a nonconforming use or to create rights in the continuance of such use. 4) EXCEPTIONS. Exceptions are made for Historic Designated Properties (Estimated 12 sites in the City) and work required to comply with building and life safety code requirements. Loss of non-conforming status for buildings and structures in IROMAROC zoning districts will still be defined in terms of loss of a percentage of gross floor area. This was recommended by the City Attorney in August, 2000 to reduce the likelihood of property rights challenges. PLANNING AND ZONING ADVISORY RECOMMENDATION Approval. Cc: Tom Ansbro, City Attorney Susan Trevarthan, Assistant City Attorney Ken Koch, Building Official William Johnson, Chief Zoning/Code Officer