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in such a way as to avoid the restrictions and limitations lawfully imposed hereunder: Provided, that permits with respect to the erection, maintenance, repair, alteration, remodeling or extension of buildings or structures used or to be used for agricultural purposes shall be issued free of any charge. The corporate authorities of the county may by ordinance require the construction of fences around or protective covers over previously constructed artificial basins of water dug in the ground and used for swimming or wading, which are located on private residential property and intended for the use of the owner and guests. In all ordinances or resolutions passed under the authority of this Division, due allowance shall be made for existing conditions, the conservation of property values, the directions of building development to the best advantage of the entire county, and the uses to which property is devoted at the time of the enactment of any such ordinance or resolution. The powers by this Division given shall not be exercised so as to deprive the owner of any existing property of its use or maintenance for the purpose to which it is then lawfully devoted, but provisions may be made for (i) the gradual elimination of the uses of unimproved lands or lot areas when the existing rights of the persons in possession are terminated or when the uses to which they are devoted are discontinued, (ii) the gradual elimination of uses to which the buildings and structures are devoted if they are adaptable SB3019 Enrolled LRB104 20255 HLH 33706 b Public Act 104-0468