There shall be a board of zoning appeals consisting of 7 electors, one of whom shall be a member of the planning commission designated by it annually. The other 6 members shall be appointed by the mayor subject to confirmation of a majority of the members of council for overlapping terms of 4 years.
A vacancy occurring during the term of any member shall be filled for the unexpired term in the manner provided for his or her original appointment.
The board of zoning appeals shall hear and decide appeals made for exceptions to or overruling of determinations made by administrative officials or agencies in the application of resolutions, ordinances, regulations, measures and orders governing zoning and buildings in the city, or grant variances from such required to afford justice and avoid unreasonable hardship, subject to such procedures as shall be established by council and subject further to such reasonable standards as shall be prescribed by council, including, but not limited to, the existence of practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships in the strict interpretation of the aforesaid resolutions, ordinances, regulations, measures or orders, provided that the granting of such exception or variance will be in harmony with the general purpose or intent thereof. The board of zoning appeals shall in addition exercise such power and carry out such duties not inconsistent with the foregoing as may be prescribed in the administrative code.
(Amendment adopted by electorate 11-6-01)