The Board of Zoning Appeals shall have the power to authorize, upon appeal, variances from the provisions or requirements of this Ordinance. Variances shall be granted only when exceptional conditions exist. Exceptional conditions would include irregular, narrow, shallow, or steep lots, or other exceptional physical conditions of the land, where strict application of the provisions or requirements of this Ordinance would deprive the owner of the reasonable use of the land and buildings involved because of practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship. The Board shall not grant a variance from any provision of this Ordinance unless it finds that the following facts and conditions exist:
(a) That there are unique physical circumstances or conditions, including irregularity, narrowness or shallowness of lot size or shape, or exceptional topographical or other physical conditions specific to the land or building for which the variance is sought, and such conditions do not apply generally to land or buildings in the neighborhood or district in which the property is located.
(b) That because of such physical circumstances or conditions, there is no possibility that the property can be developed in strict conformity with the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance and that the authorization of a variance is therefore necessary to enable the reasonable use of the property.
(c) That such unreasonable and unnecessary hardship has not been created by the appellant.
(d) That the variance, if authorized, will not alter the essential character of the neighborhood or district in which the property is located, nor substantially or permanently impair the appropriate use or development of adjacent property, nor be detrimental to the public welfare.
(e) That the variance, if authorized, will represent the minimum variance that will afford relief and will represent the least modification possible of the regulation in issue.
Under no circumstances shall the Board of Zoning Appeals grant an appeal or variance that would allow a use not permissible under this Ordinance in the district involved, or any use expressly or by implication prohibited by the terms of this Ordinance in said district.
(Ord. 07-8. Passed 3-19-07.)