Flashcards Studio

Owner operated a small corner grocery on a parcel in a residential neighborhood. The grocery was lawful when it opened. Five years later, City adopted a zoning ordinance classifying the neighborhood as single-family residential. The ordinance prohibited retail stores but allowed lawful preexisting nonconforming uses to continue. The ordinance also stated that nonconforming uses could not be enlarged, extended, or changed to a different nonconforming use.
Owner later closed the grocery for six months while recovering from surgery. Owner kept the business license active, left the shelves and coolers in place, and posted a sign saying "temporarily closed." After reopening, Owner applied for a permit to add two gasoline pumps, extend business hours to 24 hours, and pave an adjacent grassy side yard for customer parking. Nearby residents objected, arguing that Owner had abandoned any nonconforming use and that the proposed changes would harm the residential character of the area.
Discuss whether Owner may continue operating the grocery and whether City may deny the proposed gasoline pumps, extended hours, and parking expansion.