A variance shall lapse and shall become void one year following the date on which the variance becomes effective unless by condition of the variance a greater time is allowed, or unless prior to the expiration of one year, a building permit is issued by the Building Official and construction is commenced and diligently pursued toward completion on a site which was the subject of the variance application. A variance may be renewed for an additional one year, provided that prior to the expiration of one year from the date when the variance originally became effective, an application for renewal of the variance is made to the Planning Commission. The Commission may grant or deny an application for renewal of a variance. (Ord. 527, 8-4-1997)