The Board of Zoning Appeals (Board) is established by the Municipal Charter and is an administrative appeal body of a quasi-judicial nature. The Board also grants variances to requirements of the zoning code or other sections of Title XV, Land Usage as permitted by these regulations.
(A) Appointment. The Board of Zoning Appeals, shall consist of five electors, appointed upon nomination by the Mayor and approved by Council. Appointments shall be for five-year terms, beginning January 1. Each member shall serve until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. Vacancies shall be filled by a majority vote of Council members and shall be the respective unexpired term. The members of the Board of Zoning Appeals shall serve without compensation.
(B) Public meetings. The hearings of the Board of Zoning Appeals shall be public. The Board shall conform to the open meeting requirements of R.C. § 121.22 Ohio Sunshine Law.
(C) Election of officers. The Board shall organize annually and elect a President and Vice President. The Zoning Inspector or designee as appointed by the Board shall serve as the Secretary.
(D) Rules. The Board shall adopt from time to time such rules and regulations, as it may deem necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this chapter.
(E) Quorum. The majority of the members of the Board of Zoning Appeals shall constitute a quorum. Any decision of the Board must be approved by a vote of at least a majority of all the members of the Board.
(F) Minutes and records. The Secretary shall keep detailed records of proceedings, showing the vote of each member upon each question; absence or failures to vote, and setting forth the reasons for the Board decision. Records of these meetings shall be kept in the Engineering and Zoning Office and shall be available for examination. Records of meetings shall also be kept in a manner as to be able to produce a verbatim record of proceedings through audio or written transcript.
(G) Witnesses and documents. The Board shall have the power to subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, and punish for contempt, and may require the production of documents, under such regulations as it may establish. However, appeals to administrative decisions shall be limited to the information presented to the original decision maker.
(Ord. 2022-25, passed 3-21-2022)