1139.01 ZONING APPROVAL.

   (a)   Prior to issuance of any building permit, occupancy permit, sign permit, paving permit, or other permit issued by the City authorizing a use or construction regulated by this Zoning Code, the signature of the Director of Planning, Zoning and Building (hereinafter “Director”), or the Director’s designee, shall be required indicating compliance with the provisions of this Zoning Code if such permit authorizes installation or construction of a structure or use of land or building regulated by the provisions of this Zoning Code.

   (b)   The Director, or the Director’s designee shall, within a reasonable time after receipt of such permit application, either approve and sign the permit application or issue a written denial of zoning approval. The Director may deny zoning approval if the proposed uses or structures do not comply with the provisions of this Code, if the permit application does not contain sufficient information to determine compliance; if the application proposes uses, structures, or other arrangements or construction which are not addressed by the Code; or if the zoning approval of the proposed uses or structures is subject to the jurisdiction of another City official, board, or commission and such approval has not been obtained. When the Director issues a written denial, the applicant shall have right to appeal according to the provisions of Section 1137.04 (a).

   (c)   The Director shall authorize zoning approval when the Board of Zoning Appeals issues a written order granting an appeal or authorizing a variance or when the City Council approves a conditional zoning certificate or a site plan, provided there is compliance with all other provisions of this Code and unless such action is otherwise timely appealed according to law.

   (d)   Zoning approval shall be effective for twelve months and shall not be invalidated by a change in zoning during that period. Approval shall expire and a new approval shall be required before construction can proceed if:

      (1)   The footer or other base for the structure has not been completed within twelve (12) months after the zoning approval was issued; or

      (2)   The work has not been completed within twenty-four (24) months after the zoning approval was issued.

   (e)   Zoning approval shall not be granted without evidence that the proposed sanitary disposal facilities comply with the plans, policies, and regulations of the City and that either the Portage County Board of Health or the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, in matters where they have jurisdiction, has approved the proposed sanitary sewage disposal facilities for the proposed use.

(Ord. 2000-143. Passed 6-26-00; Ord. 2008-194. Passed 12-1-08.)

   (f)   As provided in this Zoning Code and as provided in the Subdivision and Site Development Regulations:

      (1)   Zoning approval shall not be granted until a site plan has been submitted by the applicant and approved by the Planning Commission.

      (2)   A site plan shall be required for any new construction of buildings, structures, parking, drives, walkways, or drainage facilities in the C1, C2, C3 and I-1 Districts and for new construction in other districts as provided in this Zoning Code and as provided in the Subdivision and Site Development Regulations.

      (3)   Site plans shall contain all information specifically required and as may be necessary to demonstrate compliance with the regulations of the City to the satisfaction of the Planning Commission.

         (Ord. 2001-045. Passed 3-12-01.)