In the event a member of the Board of Zoning Appeals finds himself or herself in a "conflict of interest" with regard to any matter coming before the Board, said member shall at the beginning of the proceeding declare that a conflict exists and refrain from participating in the hearing and in voting on the issue. If a member of the Board does not declare a conflict, and the petitioner or other Board members perceive that a conflict exists, they may request that the Board member be excluded from the hearing process. If the Board member declines to step down, the matter will be heard by the Board prior to undertaking the scheduled hearing, and the Board by majority vote will determine whether a conflict exists. If the Board finds a conflict to exist, the Board member in conflict will be prohibited from participating in the hearing and voting on the petition. (Ord. 15-23. Passed 8-14-23.)