(a) Establishment of a Board of Zoning and Building Standard Appeals. A Board of Zoning and Building Standard Appeals is hereby created. Such Board shall consist of five (5) members appointed by the City Manager, and the members shall be residents of the incorporated territory of the City of Conneaut. The members may be allowed their expenses, or such compensation, or both, as the City may approve and provide in reference to the review of applications under consideration. The Board may, within the limits of the monies appropriated by the City for the purpose, employ such executives, professional, technical, and other assistants as it deems necessary.
(b) Organization of the Board. The Board shall organize and adopt rules for its own government not inconsistent with these regulations or with any other state laws or City ordinances.
(c) Meetings of the Board. Meetings shall be held at the call of the Chairman or the City Manager, and at such other times as a majority of the Board may determine. The Chairman, or in his absence the Acting Chairman, may administer oaths and the Board shall be open to the public. The Board shall keep minutes of its proceedings showing the vote of each member upon each question, or, if absent or failing to vote, indicating such fact and shall keep records of its examinations and other official actions, all of which shall be immediately filed with the Clerk of the Board of Zoning Appeals and shall be of public record.
(d) Proceedings of the Board of Zoning Appeals. The Board shall adopt rules necessary to the conduct of its affairs in keeping with the provisions of this Code. An annual organizational meeting will be held each year in the month of January. Meetings shall be held at the call of the chairman and at such time as the Board may determine. The chairman, or in his absence the acting chairman, may administer oaths and compel the attendance of witnesses. All meetings shall be open to the public. The Board shall keep minutes of its proceedings, showing the vote of each member upon each question, or if absent or failing to vote, indicating such fact, and shall keep records of its examinations and other official actions, all of which shall be a public record and be immediately filed in the office of the Zoning Inspector, Board of Appeals and the City Clerk.
(e) Duties of the Board of Zoning Appeals. The Board of Zoning Appeals may:
(1) Hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is an error in any order, requirement, decision, interpretation or determination made by the Zoning Inspector.
(2) Authorize, upon appeal, in specific cases, such variances from the terms of this Code as will not be contrary to the public interest, where, owing to the special conditions, a literal enforcement of this Code will result in unnecessary hardship, and so that the spirit of this Code shall be observed and substantial justice done;
(3) Grant conditional zoning permits for the use of land, buildings or other structures if such certificates for specific uses are provided for in the Zoning Code;
(4) Grant special exceptions in accordance with this Code.
(f) Quorum. Three (3) members of the Board shall constitute a quorum. The Board shall act by resolution. The concurring vote of three (3) members of the Board shall be necessary to reverse any order or determination of the Zoning Inspector, or to decide in favor of an applicant in any matter of which the Board has original jurisdiction under this Zoning Ordinance or to grant any variance from the requirements stipulated in this Zoning Ordinance.
(g) City Department Assistance. The Board may call upon the City departments for assistance in the performance of its duties and it shall be the duty of such departments to render such assistance to the Board as may reasonably be required.
(Ord. 60-93. Passed 7-11-94.)