HomeMy WebLinkAboutbocc.res.031.1975 RESOLUTION
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO
No. 75-4
Re: Nonconforming Uses
WHEREAS, this Board initiated a proposal to amend existing
Section X of the Pitkin County Zoning Resolution of 1955, as
amended, dealing with nonconforming uses and lots; and
WHEREAS, in September, 1974, this Board referred the proposal
to amend Section X to the Planning & Zoning Commission pursuant
to then Section 106-2-15, C.R.S. 1963; and
WHEREAS, this Board held a public hearing on the matter on
January 6, 1975, by notice duly published on December 5, 1974;
and
WHEREAS, at
under advisement;
the public hearing the Board took the matter
and
WHEREAS, it has duly considered and revised the proposal at
various of its Monday meetings thereafter; and
WHEREAS, the text of the proposal and several alternate
proposals were referred to City Clerk of the City of Aspen and
to the Division of Planning, no comments having been received; and
WHEREAS, the Board is ready to act in the matter,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that the portions
of Section X dealing with nonconforming uses, paragraphs 10.01
through and including 10.18, as attached hereto and incorporated
herein by reference, are hereby adopted as part of the Pitkin
County Zoning Resolution of 1955, as amended, to replace existing
paragraphs 10.01 through 10.05, and 10.07; and that
Section 6.01 thereof is amended to include the following
paragraph after the existing two paragraphs:
"Special Review uses shall also include those
set forth in Section X of this Zoning Resolution
concerning nonconforming uses and lots."
Dated: ~.X~.~
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF PITKIN COUNTY
Dwight K. S~ellman, Chairman~
ATTEST:
Nina Johnsto~, Deputy Clerk
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SECTION X
NONCONFORMING USES AND LOTS
ae
NONCONFORMING USES
10.01 Nonconformin~ Use.
A nonconforming use is a use that lawfully existed at the time
of the adoption of the Pitkin County Zoning Resolution of 1955,
or relevant amendments thereto, that is maintained following
such adoption, although thereafter prohibited by the use res-
trictions of the zoning district in which it is then located.
10.02 Uses by Special Review as Nonconforming.
(a) Any use (except a high-impact use as hereinafter defined)
lawfully existing in a zoning district that, because of the
adoption of the Pitkin County Zoning Resolution or any subsequent
relevant amendment thereto, would be a Use permitted by Special
Review in the zoning district in which it is then situate shall
be deemed to have received such Special Review Use permission,
but such use shall not be changed, altered or repaired, extended,
restored, or resumed after discontinuance in violation of para-
graph 10.05 - 10.09 without approval therefor having been first
obtained pursuant to the Special Review Use provisions of the
Pitkin County Zoning Resolution.
Adopted: April 14, 1975
(b) A high impact use lawfully existing in a zoning district
that, because of the adoption of the Pitkin County Zoning
Resolution or any subsequent amendment thereto, would be a use
permitted by Special Review in the zoning district in which it
is then situate shall become a nonconforming use. Within one
year from the date it becomes nonconforming, an application for
Special Review Use approval may be made pursuant to the Special
Review Use provisions of the Pitkin County Zoning Resolution.
Upon approval and issuance of a Special Review Use Permit, if
such occurs, the use thereafter shall be subject to paragraph
10.02(a). A high impact use shall be any heavy business, com-
mercial, or industrial use in an agricultural, residential or
resource zone, such as, but not limited to, the following: con-
crete batch plants; mining and other extractive operations,
such as sand and gravel operations; processing plants, crusher
operations; hot-mix plants; saw mills; quarries; junkyards;
dumps; billboards and signs; auto wrecking yards; and any other
such heavy business, commercial, and industrial use that is the
source of significant cinders; dust, noxious fumes; smoke; noise,
air or visual pollution; or the like, any of which is detrimental,
a nuisance, and injurious to the general welfare or to adjacent
lands and uses.
10.03 Unlawful Uses.
No unlawful use of property existing at the time of the passage
-2- Adopted: April 14 , 1975
of the Pitkin County Zoning Resolution, or any relevant amend-
ments thereto, shall be deemed a nonconforming use entitled to
rights and privileges under Section X, and no unlawful structure
existing at the time of adoption of this amending resolution
shall be deemed a nonconforming structure. Such uses or struc-
tures may be required to be abated forthwith.
10.04 Structures Under Construction.
Any nonconforming use for which a valid building permit has
been issued at the time it became nonconforming may be completed
and occupied in accordance with the requirements of the building
permit that was previously issued and of the Building Code,
subject, however, to the provisions of this Section X.
10.05 Chan~es of Nonconformin~ Use.
A nonconforming use may be, upon approval of a Special Review
Use application under Section VI, changed to a same or more
restrictive classification, according to the provisions of the
Pitkin County Zoning Resolution, although remaining nonconforming;
provided, however, that all other provisions of this Section X
shall apply to the new use. Any relevant time periods here-
under pertaining to the old and new conforming uses shall be
c~ulative.
-3- Adopted: April 14 , 1975
10.06 Extensions of Nonconformin~ Uses.
No nonconforming use, whether presently in existence or here-
after created, shall be enlarged or extended under any circum-
stances, other than as is expressly permitted in this Section X.
10.07 Re~airs or Alterations to Nonconforming Uses.
This Section X shall not prohibit minor repairs or alterations
to, or maintenance of, a building, structure or use, to improve
its appearance, safety, or efficiency, which alterations or
repairs do not require the removal or replacement of any struct-
ural member or increase the floor area of the building.
10.08 Restoration of Damaged Nonconforming Use.
No nonconforming use, if at least seventy (70) percent of the
structure above the foundation shall be destroyed due to any
cause, shall be restored in nonconforming form or location or
restored for the continuance of a nonconforming use. If less
than seventy (70) percent of the structure above the foundation
has been destroyed, such a building or structure, if so permitted
after Special Review Use application under Section VI, may be
restored in substantially the same form and location, but with-
out enlargement, for a continuance of the former nonconforming
use, but subject to all requirements of this Section X. Failure
to make full and complete application under Section VI for res-
-4- Adopted: Aprill4 , 1975
toration within ninety (90) days, and for a building permit
within six (6) months from the Board's decision date shall be
deemed an abandonment of such nonconforming use. All require-
ments of the then adopted Building Code shall be applicable.
10.09 Discontinuance of Nonconforming Use.
Whenever a nonconforming use or any significant part or portion
thereof, has been discontinued for a period of one (1) year,
such discontinued nonconforming use or part or portion thereof
shall not thereafter be re-established, and all future use shall
be in conformity with the provisions of the Pitkin County Zoning
Resolution then in effect. Such discontinuance of the active
and continuous operation of such nonconforming use, or any signif-
icant part or portion thereof, for such period of one (1) year,
shall be considered discontinuance hereunder regardless of any
intent not to abandon.
10.10 Termination of Nonconforming Uses.
In all zoning districts, any use existing at the time of the
adoption of the Pitkin County Zoning Resolution or any sub-
sequent amendment thereto, that becomes nonconforming shall be
entirely discontinued and terminated no later than five (5)
years from the date of its becoming a nonconforming use, unless
-5- Adopted: April 14 , 1975
permitted to be continued pursuant to this Section X, specifi-
cally paragraphs 10.02, 10.05, 10.08, 10.11, 10.12, 10.13, and
10.14.
10.11 Pre-existing Nonconforming Public Service Uses.
Upon application of the owner of a nonconforming use pursuant
to the Use by Special Review provisions of the Zoning Resolution
(Section VI), the Board of County Commissioners (upon recommen-
dation first made by the Planning Commission) may permit such
particular nonconforming use to continue in its location as a
Use by Special Review, subject to paragraphs 10.05 to 10.09 (and
hence as thereafter a permitted use) if it concludes that:
(a) the use is not totally inconsistent with the
Master Plan, if applicable, considering the
nature of the use, its location, its scope
and the like; and
(b) the use serves a significant public interest
that could not be so served by the relocation
of the use to the nearest area where the then-
current zoning would permit it, or by similar
uses elsewhere in the county (~.~., a small
convenient grocery store serving the needs of
a specific neighborhood); and
-6- Adopted: April 14, 1975
(c)
(d)
Such application
on which the use
reasonable measures are to be undertaken by the
applicant to alleviate or reduce the incompati-
bility or adverse effects of the nonconforming
use, which are to be a condition of any approval
hereunder; and
notwithstanding the receipt of any Public Service
Special Review Use permit under this subsection,
the permitee shall be required to obtain all
other applicable state or local licenses or per-
mits and shall comply with all other state and
local regulations from time to time in effect.
shall be filed within one (1) year of the date
became nonconforming.
10.12 Increased Amortization and Abatement.
In the event that the owner of a nonconforming use is not granted
approval as a Public Service Use by Special Review pursuant to
Section 10.11, and believes the five (5) year termination pro-
vision of Section 10.10 unduly harsh in its application to him,
he may apply, pursuant to the Special Review Use provisions, for
an extended amortization or abatement period to the Pitkin County
Planning Commission. After that Commission has made a rec-
ommendation, the Board of County Commissioners may, after a
public hearing, grant an extended amortization or abatement
-7- Adopted: Aprill4 , 1975
period longer than as provided in Section 10.10, but no longer
than twenty-five (25) years. Factors each body shall consider
are the date the use became nonconforming, the capital expen-
diture involved in the particular use, the costs incident to a
removal of the use to a permissible area, the value of the land
and improvements for a permitted area, the salvage value of the
improvements if the use be terminated, the extent to which the
use has already been depreciated for federal income tax purposes,
the duration of the period for such federal income tax dep-
reciation for the particular use, the duration of any previously
existing mortgage upon the use, and other such similar economic
factors; the extent to which such longer continuation of the
nonconforming use would violate the public health, safety,
welfare and interest in the particular location of the noncon-
forming use and in the county as well; and whether any reasonable
measures can be undertaken by the applicant significantly to
eliminate, alleviate, or reduce the incompatibility or adverse
effects of the nonconforming use or structure, which measures
would be a condition of any such extension. The Board of County
Commissioners, by written resolution, shall make appropriate
findings of fact based upon substantial evidence.
10.13 Residential Preservation Clause.
Ail single-family, and duplex-family residential uses, including
-8- Adopted: April 14 , 1975
those required to have building code exceptions (~.~., individual
mobile homes but not those in mobile home parks), that were
lawful when established, and continuously so used thereafter,
shall be entitled to continue and be deemed allowed uses; pro-
vided, however, they may not change, replace, alter or repair,
extend, restore, or resume after discontinuance in violation of
paragraphs 10.06 and 10.09 hereof, without having obtained ap-
proval therefor pursuant to the Special Review Use provisions of
the Pitkin County Zoning Resolution.
10.14 Mobile Home Parks.
So long as any existing and presently nonconforming mobile home
park is duly and currently licensed under the Pitkin County
Mobile Home Regulations, as such may from time to time be
amended, it shall be deemed a conforming use for the period of
any permit or license thereunder.
10.15 Bulk Requirements.
Any use or structure lawfully established that becomes noncon-
forming solely by reason of bulk, height, set-back, and minimun
lot size requirements shall be entitled to continue free of the
provisions of this Section X and to be deemed allowed uses.
-9- Adopted: Aprill4, 1975
10.16 Combining Applications Permitted.
An applicant may combine in one application any Special
Use applications stated in this Section X.
Review
10.17 Public Hearings.
Ail public hearings required or which may be held under this
Section X of the Pitkin County Zoning Resolution shall be
advertised at the expense of the applicant by a notice thereof
in the official legal publication of Pitkin County by one (1)
publication made not less than thirty (30) days prior to the
date of any such hearing before the Board of County Commissioners.
Such notice shall contain the place and date of the hearing, the
property description of the affected property, a description of
the use, the name of the person or entity requesting the hearing,
and a general statement of what is to be considered at the
hearing. All interested persons may appear and be heard at such
hearings.
10.18 Time Computation.
When a time computation hereunder is stated to begin at the
time a use becomes nonconforming, the time period stated shall
begin at that time, or upon the adoption of this revised
Section X as stated below, whichever is later.
Adopted: April 14, 1975.
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