(a) Community Development Administrator. The Community Development Administrator shall implement, administer and enforce the Planning and Zoning Code.
(b) Powers and Duties. The Community Development Administrator or designee shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) The Community Development Administrator is granted all necessary authority on behalf of the City to administer and enforce the provisions of the Code, issue a notice citing a violation of the Code, issue a written order to correct a violation of the Code and the authority to pursue legal action in a court of competent jurisdiction to remedy the violation, including a temporary restraining order, temporary and permanent injunction, abatement, and other legal and equitable relief.
(2) To interpret and apply the Code.
(3) To approve applications and issue Zoning Certificates which may include special conditions.
(4) To issue certificates of zoning compliance.
(5) To accept, review, make written comments upon, and respond to questions regarding applications within the Community Development Administrator's authority and jurisdiction to review, including amendments to the Planning and Zoning Code, development plan review, conditional uses, variances, appeals, and subdivision plans and plats.
(6) To coordinate the City's review of applications for rezoning development plans, conditional use applications, subdivision plans and plats, and development projects.
(7) To preserve, maintain and store records of the Planning and Zoning Department including records of all applications, document in support thereof, approvals, certificates, variances, Code amendments, conditional uses, similar use determinations, and inspection documents.
(8) To make all records available for review by the Council and the Planning Commission; and to make all records available to the public as required by the Ohio Public Records Act.
(9) To inspect or cause the inspection of buildings and uses of land to determine compliance with the Code.
(10) To identify Code violations and issue written notifications of violations, revocation notices, and stop work orders; and to initiate administrative or legal action to enforce corrective action.
(11) To maintain the "Official Zoning District Map" of the City of Chardon.
(12) To provide technical advice and assistance to the Council, the Planning Commission, other boards and commissions and City officials.
(13) To determine a Similar Use as provided herein. The proposed use of land or structures, which is compatible with a permitted use or conditional use in a zoning district, is permitted in that district. A proposed use not addressed by the Code may be allowed if the Community Development Administrator makes a determination that a proposed use is similar to a permitted or conditional use listed in a zoning district.
A. Determination of Similar Use. A proposed use may be approved as a Similar Use when the Community Development Administrator determines that it complies with the following provisions:
i. The proposed use is not prohibited in the zoning district;
ii. The proposed use is not listed as a permitted or conditional use in another zoning district;
iii. The proposed use is most consistent with the purpose statement of, and is most appropriately located in, the zoning district;
iv. The proposed use has characteristics of, or is much like, a permitted or conditional use in the zoning district.
B. Assignment to Districts. Upon approval, the similar use shall be added to the zoning districts which allow the permitted or conditional use to which the use is similar.
(14) To review and decide sign applications.
(c) Duty to Report Violations. Every municipal official and employee shall report to the Community Development Administrator any new construction, reconstruction, or land use which has not been approved and any known or suspected Code violation.
(Ord. 3273. Passed 5-9-24.)