1. Creation of Board. A Zoning Hearing Board shall be appointed by Borough Council in the manner prescribed by law.
2. Membership of Board. The membership of the Board shall consist of three residents of the Borough appointed by Borough Council. Their terms of office shall be 3 years and shall be so fixed that the term of office of one member shall expire each year. The Board shall promptly notify the Borough Council of any vacancies which occur. Appointments to fill vacancies shall be only for the unexpired portion of the term. Members of the Board shall hold no other office in the Borough, except that no more than one member of the Board may also be a member of the Planning Commission.
3. Removal of Members. Any Board member may be removed for malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance in office or for other just cause by a majority vote of Borough Council, taken after the member has received 15 days advance notice of the intent to take such a vote. A hearing shall be held in connection with the vote if the member shall request it in writing.
4. Organization of the Board.
A. The Board shall elect from its own membership its officers, who shall serve annual terms as such and may succeed themselves. For the conduct of any hearing and the taking of any action, a quorum shall be required, consisting of not less than a majority of all the members of the Board. The Board may appoint a hearing officer from its own membership to conduct any hearing on its behalf and the parties may waive further action by the Board as provided in §27-1602.
B. The Zoning Hearing Board shall adopt rules in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter. Meetings of the Zoning Hearing Board shall be held at the call of the Chairman and at such other times as the Zoning Hearing Board may determine. Such chairman, or in his absence, the acting chairman, may administer oaths, and compel the attendance of witnesses. All meetings of the Zoning Hearing Board shall be open to the public.
C. The Zoning Hearing Board shall keep minutes of its proceedings, showing the vote of each member upon each question, or if absent or failing to vote, indicate such fact, and shall keep records of its examinations and other official actions, all of which shall be immediately filed in the office of the Borough Secretary and shall be a public record.
D. The Zoning Hearing Board shall submit a report of its activities to Borough Council once a year.
5. Expenditures for Services. Within the limits of funds appropriated by Borough Council, the Board may employ or contract for secretaries, clerks, legal counsel, consultants, and other technical and clerical services. Members of the Board may receive compensation for the performance of their duties, as may be fixed by Borough Council, but in no case shall it exceed the rate of compensation authorized to be paid to the members of Borough Council.
(Ord. 77-5, 2/28/1977, §1600)