An appeal may be taken to the Board of Zoning Appeals by any person, firm, or corporation, or by any officer, department, board, or bureau affected by a decision of the Zoning Administrator. These appeals shall be taken within that time as shall be prescribed by the Board of Zoning Appeals by general rule, by filing with the Zoning Administrator and with the Board of Zoning Appeals a notice of appeal, specifying the grounds thereof. The Zoning Administrator shall forthwith transmit to the Board of Zoning Appeals all of the papers constituting the record upon which action appealed from was taken. An appeal shall stay all proceedings in furtherance of the action appealed from unless the Zoning Administrator certifies to the Board of Zoning Appeals after the notice of appeal shall have been filed with him or her, that by reason of facts stated in the certificate, a stay would, in his or her opinion, cause imminent peril of life or property, in which case the proceedings shall not be stayed otherwise than by a restraining order which may be granted by a court of record. Request for special approval may be taken to the Board of Zoning Appeals by any person, firm, or corporation having an interest in the subject matter thereof by filing with the Zoning Administrator and with the Board of Zoning Appeals a notice thereof. The Board of Zoning Appeals shall select a reasonable time and place for the hearing of the appeal or request for special approval and give due notice thereof to the parties and shall render a decision on the appeal without unreasonable delay. Any person may appear and testify at the hearing, either in person or by duly authorized agent or attorney.