(A) Establishment. There shall be a Zoning Board of Appeals to exercise the following powers and duties as more explicitly set forth in the general statutes:
(1) To hear and decide zoning appeals;
(2) To hear and decide all land use matters as may be permitted by law; and
(3) To determine and vary the application of the zoning bylaws, ordinances or regulations in cases of exceptional difficulty or unusual hardship. The ability to hear cases shall be limited as set forth in the general statutes. The validity and effect of variances shall be governed by the General Statutes.
(B) Appointment and membership. The Board (comprised of five regular members and three members of a "panel of alternates") shall consist of eight electors of the Town of Hamden appointed as set forth in § 7-1:B of the charter. The Board shall choose a chair and such other officers as it may desire. The Board shall follow the requirements of the general statutes pertaining to the call of public meetings, the administration of oaths, compelling of attendance of witnesses, preparation of meeting minutes and the filing of rules, regulations and requirements (and the amendment or repeal thereof) and decisions as public records.
(1) (a) Term. The Mayor shall appoint members for term of five years, for a term commencing on the first day of February of the year of the appointment, which terms shall be staggered as established at the date of the original appointments.
(B) Terms of the panel of alternates. The Mayor shall appoint members to the panel of alternates for a term of five years, for a term commencing on the first day of February of the year of the appointment, which terms shall be staggered as established at the date of the original appointments.
(2) Assignment of the panel of alternates. Members of the panel of alternates shall be designated to act in the place of a member as set forth in the general statutes.
(3) Restrictions. The regular members and panel of alternates shall not be members of the body acting as the zoning commission.
(4) Vacancy. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 7-1:C of the charter, any vacancy in the regular members of the Board or panel of alternates shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the Mayor.
(Ord. 622, adopted 8-6-12)