SECTION IX-4. POWERS AND DUTIES.

   It shall be the duty of the Board of Zoning Appeals:

   1.    To hear and decide appeals from any regulation, order, decision, requirement or determination made by administrative officials or agents in the application of ordinances governing zoning in the City.

   2.    To hear and decide applications for special exceptions for any of the uses which, by ordinance, require approval of the Board of Zoning Appeals. In the granting of a special exception, the Board of Zoning Appeals may prescribe such conditions and safeguards as it deems necessary, desirable or appropriate.

   3.    To hear and decide all appeals made for variances in the application of ordinances governing zoning in the City. No variances in the strict application of the zoning ordinances of the City of shall be granted by the Board of Zoning Appeals unless it finds:

      (a)   That there exists practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship, fully described in the findings of the Board, that would deprive the owner of the reasonable use of the land or building involved;

      (b)   That there are special circumstances or conditions fully described in the findings of the Board, applying to such land or buildings and not applying generally to land or buildings in the neighborhood, and that said circumstances or conditions are such that strict application of the provisions of the ordinances of the City would deprive the applicant of the reasonable use of such land or building.

      (c)   That, for reasons fully set forth in the findings of the Board, the granting of the variance is necessary for the reasonable use of the land or building and that the variance granted by the Board is the minimum variance that will accomplish this purpose.

      (d)   That the granting of the variance will be in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the ordinances of the City and will not be injurious to the neighborhood or otherwise detrimental to the public welfare.

   4.    To do and perform such other duties and functions as may be imposed upon it by this Charter or the ordinances or resolutions of Council.
(5-2-61; 11-2-82)