The Board of Zoning and Planning review shall be applicable to all zoning districts within the City of Bexley. The BZAP shall have the following powers and duties under the provisions of this Zoning Ordinance:
(a) To initiate, hear, review, and make recommendations to City Council upon applications for amendments to this Zoning Ordinance and Map, including applications for planned unit developments, pursuant to Chapter 1256, Planned Unit Development District.
(b) To hear, review, and approve, approve with conditions, modify or disapprove applications for Conditional Use Permits pursuant to the Zoning Code.
(c) To approve proposed uses that are not listed that it determines are substantially similar to a permitted or conditionally permitted use listed in the Zoning Code.
(d) To review and approve, approve with modifications or conditions or disapprove site plans.
(e) To prepare and participate in and to make recommendations to the City Council for adopting an official Strategic Plan or similar plans for the City, and from time to time to recommend to the Council such amendments as it may deem appropriate.
(f) To aid and assist the City Council and the departments of the City in implementing the City's adopted land use policies and in planning, developing, and completing specific projects.
(g) To review and report on any matters referred to it by the City Council.
(h) To review, hear and make decisions upon applications for the subdivision, resubdivision, or combination of any parcels or tracts of land.
(i) To review and make recommendations to the City Council regarding improvements to public land.
(j) To hold public hearings upon any of the issues which fall within its authority and jurisdiction to consider.
(k) To recommend to the City Council that the Council should revoke Conditional Use Permits if the established conditions for the Conditional Use Permit are violated.
(l) To hear and decide appeals from, and to review final orders, adjudications, or decisions made by the Zoning Officer the Architectural Review Board, or the Tree and Public Garden Commission in accordance with 1226.18.
(m) To hear and decide upon applications for variances from the requirements of this Zoning Ordinance pursuant to the Zoning Code.
(n) To hear and decide upon applications to change an existing nonconforming use to a use of similar conformity.
(o) To issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses at quasi-judicial hearings before the Board.
(p) To grant special permits as authorized in this Zoning Code pursuant to Section 1226.13.
(q) To hear, review and determine Certificates of Appropriateness regarding new development, alterations or additions in the MS, LA and CP zoning districts and for any applications in all zoning districts that require a variance, conditional use, or a change in zoning district.
(r) To make its special knowledge and expertise available to any official, department, board, or commission of the City to aid them in the performance of their respective duties relating to the planning, development, zoning and its administration of the City.
(s) To request, review and consider advisory opinions deemed necessary to assist them in their review before making a determination on any application or appeal before it.
(t) To consider the recommendations of the Architectural Review Board or the Tree and Public Garden Commission in making its determination.
(u) To remand any application to the Architectural Review Board or the Tree and Public Garden Commission for its consideration, additional consideration and recommendation to BZAP or for final determination by ARB on issues identified by the BZAP for a Certificate of Appropriateness.
(v) To determine if it requires the services of an independent architect or planner to assist in reviewing and making a determination on an application, and to retain such services as provided in Section 244.02(2).
(w) To hear appeals from applicants for short-term rental permits that have been denied by the City pursuant to Section 1266.19.
(Ord. 29-16. Passed 11-15-16; Ord. 08-20. Passed 7-14-20; Ord. 11-20. Passed 6-9-20; Ord. 13-22. Passed 5-10-22; Ord. 04-24. Passed 3-26-24.)