(A) The Zoning Administrator shall be appointed by the City Council.
(B) Duties and responsibilities of the Zoning Administrator:
(1) Determine if applications are complete and comply with the terms of this chapter;
(2) Direct or conduct inspections of sewage systems and other uses of the land to determine compliance with the terms of this chapter;
(3) Maintain permanent and current records of this chapter including, but not limited to, maps, amendments, zoning or use permits, conditional use permits, variances, subdivisions, appeals and applications, and a separate file for future conditions or expiration of permits;
(4) Review, file and forward applications for appeals, variances, conditional uses, subdivisions and zoning amendments;
(5) To review and approve all metes and bounds property divisions within the city that results in parcels that are greater than ten acres;
(6) Enforce the provisions of this chapter by reviewing complaints and by pursuing contacts with any violator in accordance with standard procedures as adopted and modified from time to time;
(7) Mail notices relative to public hearings for variances, conditional uses and zoning changes;
(8) Under the direction of the Chairperson of the Planning Commission, prepare and distribute meeting agendas at least one week prior to the meeting;
(9) Attend meetings and provide research and findings to the Board of Adjustment/Planning Commission;
(10) Issue approved building permits and zoning permits upon application for structures on lots conforming to this chapter when the conditions of this chapter are met; to issue conditional use permits when directed by the Planning Commission; to issue variances when directed by the Board of Adjustment; to issue notices of a zoning change when directed by the City Council;
(11) To mail a copy of the findings to applicants;
(12) To file copies of conditional use permits, zoning map amendments and variances with the County Recorder;
(13) To communicate with the DNR where required by this chapter or state law;
(14) To ensure that the City Council, Planning Commission and Board Adjustment review land use applications or public hearing applications as prescribed by state statutes;
(15) To conduct periodic and final inspections of property subject to conditions of approval relating to variances, conditional use permits and other land use applications every two years;
(16) To issue land use certificates of compliance; and
(17) Keep the city up to date with regards to changes in state and county land use regulations.
(C) Floodplain management duties of the Zoning Administrator.
(1) To maintain a record of elevation of the lowest floor (including basement) and the elevation to which structures are flood-proofed for all new structures and alterations or additions to structures within the floodplain;
(2) To notify adjacent communities, the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources and the Chicago Regional Office of the Federal Emergency Management Agency of any proposed alteration or relocation of a watercourse or bed of a public water;
(3) To notify the Chicago Office of the Federal Emergency Management Agency when any physical changes increase or decrease the 100-year flood elevation as soon as practicable after any supporting information indicating the change is made available; and
(4) (a) Floodplain designation; restrictions on removal. The floodplain designation on the Official Zoning Map must not be removed from floodplain areas unless it can be shown that the designation is in error or that the area has been filled to or above the elevation of the regulatory flood protection elevation and is contiguous to lands outside the floodplain. Special exceptions to this rule may be permitted by the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) if the Commissioner determines that, through other measures, lands are adequately protected for the intended use.
(b) Amendments require DNR approval. All amendments to this chapter must be submitted to and approved by the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) prior to adoption. The Commissioner must approve the amendment prior to community approval.
(c) Map revisions require ordinance amendments. The floodplain district regulations must be amended to incorporate any revisions by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to the floodplain maps adopted in § 152.056(B)(3) of this chapter.
(Ord. 332, passed 5-19-2008)