(a) Establishment. There is hereby established a Code Hearing Board, to be appointed by Council and to consist of at least five members, who shall serve without compensation, but who may be reimbursed for necessary reasonable expenses. Their terms of office shall be for three years, except for those first appointed, whose terms shall be so fixed that the term of office of at least one member expires each year. An appointment to fill a vacancy shall be only for the unexpired portion of the term.
(b) Qualifications of Board Members. Two members of the Board shall be knowledgeable in building construction, two members shall be knowledgeable in property management and real estate and one member shall be a home owner within the City. All members shall be residents of the City.
(c) Powers and Duties. The Board shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) Interpretation. On appeal from a determination of the Codes Administrator or his or her authorized representative, or on request of any Municipal official, the Board shall decide any question involving the interpretation of this Building and Housing Code.
(2) Variances. The Board may grant a variance from the strict application of this Building and Housing Code. Such a variance may be granted only in those cases where a strict interpretation of this Building and Housing Code would result in practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship and where the public health and safety will not be jeopardized by the granting of such variance.
(3) Appeals. The Board shall hear all appeals made to it and, depending on its findings, shall decide whether or not to affirm or overrule the decision appealed.
(Ord. 4153. Passed 9-26-79.)