1. Enforcement and Interpretation. All questions of interpretation and enforcement shall be first presented to the Zoning/Building Administrator, or that person’s assistant designee, and such questions shall be presented to the Board of Adjustment only on appeal from the decision of the Zoning/Building Administrator, and recourse from the decisions of the Board of Adjustment shall be to the District Court as provided by law and particularly by Chapter 414, Code of Iowa.
2. Amendments. The regulations, restrictions, and boundaries may, from time to time, be amended, supplemented, changed, modified, or repealed, provided that at least seven days’ notice of the time and place of such hearing shall be published in a paper of general circulation in the City. In no case shall the notice be published more than 20 days prior to the hearing. Notwithstanding Section 414.2, as a part of an ordinance changing land from one zoning district to another zoning district or an ordinance approving a site development plan, the Council may impose conditions on a property owner which are in addition to existing regulations if the additional conditions have been agreed to in writing by the property owner before the public hearing required under this section or any adjournment of the hearing. The conditions must be reasonable and imposed to satisfy public needs which are directly caused by the requested change. In the case, however, of a written protest against a change or repeal which is filed with the City Clerk and signed by the owners of twenty percent or more of the area of the lots included in the proposed change or repeal, or by the owners of twenty percent or more of the property that is located within two hundred feet of the exterior boundaries of the property for which the change or repeal is proposed, the change or repeal shall not become effective except by the favorable vote of at least three-fourths of all the members of the Council. The protest, if filed, must be filed before or at the public hearing. Proposed amendments not recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission shall become effective only upon a favorable vote of three-fourths of the members of the City Council. All zoning amendment application forms shall be approved by resolution of the Council.
3. Violations. Violation of the provisions of this chapter with any of its requirements (including violations of conditions and safeguards established in connection with grants of variances or special exceptions) shall constitute a misdemeanor. Any person who violates this chapter or fails to comply with any of its requirements shall upon conviction thereof be fined not more than $100.00. Each day such violation continues shall be considered a separate offense. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the City from taking such other legal action as is necessary to prevent any violation.
4. Schedule of Fees, Charges, and Expenses. The City Council shall establish a schedule of fees, charges, and expenses and a collection procedure for zoning district changes, zoning permits, appeals, and other matters pertaining to this chapter. The schedule of fees shall be posted in the office of the Zoning/Building Administrator and the City Clerk and may be altered or amended only by the Council, as recommended by the Commission.
5. Complaints Regarding Violations. Whenever a violation of this chapter occurs, or is alleged to have occurred, any person may file a written complaint. Such complaint, stating fully the causes and basis thereof, shall be filed with the Zoning/Building Administrator. The Administrator shall record properly such complaint, immediately investigate, and take action thereon as provided by this chapter.
6. Repeal of Conflicting Ordinances; When Effective. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with the Zoning Ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent necessary to give this chapter full force and effect. This chapter shall become effective upon publication.