(a) It shall be the duty of the Building Official, who shall be appointed by the City Administrator, to enforce this Code.
(b) Appeals from decisions of the Building Official may be made to the Board of Zoning Appeals, as provided in Chapter 1127, Board of Zoning Appeals.
(Ord. 2-2013. Passed 7-1-13.)
The Building Official shall have the following responsibilities and powers:
(a) Enforce the provisions of this Zoning Code and interpret the meaning and application of its provisions, including both map and text.
(b) Inspect properties within the City to determine compliance with regulations and to issue violation notices when necessary.
(c) Receive, review and make determinations on applications for Zoning Certificates.
(d) Issue Zoning Certificates as provided by this Code, and keep a record of same with notations of special conditions involved.
(e) Review and process plans pursuant to the provisions of this Code.
(f) Make determinations as to whether violations of this Code exist, determine the nature and extent thereof, and notify the owner in writing, specifying the exact nature of the violation and the manner in which it shall be corrected by the owner, pursuant to the procedures in this Code.
(g) Maintain permanent and current records required by this Code, including but not limited to: the Official Zoning Map, Zoning Certificates, inspection documents and records of all variances, amendments, planned unit developments and conditional uses. These records shall be made available for use of the City Council, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals and to the public.
(h) Initiate the revocation of a permit or approval issued contrary to this Code.
(i) Act upon all applications within thirty (30) days of their date of filing. A Zoning Certificate or written notification and explanation of refusal shall be issued to the applicant within said thirty (30) days. Failure to notify the applicant of such refusal within this period shall entitle the applicant to submit his request to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
(j) Examine and refer to the Planning Commission applications for a Zoning Certificate when site plan review is required as specified in this Chapter.
(k) Forward findings of fact as to alleged violations of this Code to the Law Director.
(Ord. 2-2013. Passed 7-1-13.)
The Planning Commission shall be established as per Section 10 of the City Charter and shall have the following responsibilities and powers as they relate to this Zoning Code:
(a) Carry on a continuous review of the effectiveness and appropriateness of this Zoning Code and recommend such changes or amendments, to Council, as it feels would be appropriate.
(b) Hold public hearings as required by this Zoning Code, notice of which shall be given in accordance with Section 713.12 of the Ohio Revised Code.
(c) Initiate advisable Official Zoning District Map changes, or changes in the text of the Zoning Code where same will promote the best interest of the public in general through recommendation to Council.
(d) Review proposed zoning amendments and Planned Unit Development applications as filed by a property owner, providing recommendation to Council.
(e) Conduct Site Plan Review for projects requiring such approval.
(f) Function in any further capacity as required by the Ohio Revised Code or as may be directed by Council.
(Ord. 2-2013. Passed 7-1-13.)
The powers and duties of City Council as they relate to this Zoning Code are as follows:
(a) Approve the appointment of a Building Official, or his or her designee, to administer and enforce the provisions of these Regulations.
(b) Approve the appointment of members of Planning Commission as regulated by the City Charter.
(c) Initiate or act upon suggested amendments to the Zoning Code text or the Official Zoning District Map as per the procedures in Chapter 1129, District Changes and Regulation Amendments.
(d) Determine fees for permits, application review and violations. Each written application for a Zoning Certificate, Zoning Amendment, Administrative Appeal, Conditional Use Permit, Similar Use, Special Permit, Site Plan Review, Architectural Review or Variance shall be accompanied by filing fees.
(e) Provide for maintaining and keeping current the permanent records required by these regulations, including but not limited to the Official Zoning District Map, Zoning Certificate, inspections, and all official zoning actions of City Council. Such records shall be made available for use by City Council, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and the public.
(f) To hear and decide appeals to the decision of the Planning Commission regarding an application for site plan review.
(Ord. 2-2013. Passed 7-1-13.)
The Board of Zoning Appeals shall have the following responsibilities and powers as it relates to this zoning code:
(a) Hearing and deciding appeals where it is alleged there is an error in an order, requirement, decision or determination made by the Building Official, or his/ her authorized representative in the enforcement of this zoning code.
(b) Authorize such variances, upon appeal, from the terms of this zoning code as will not be contrary to the public interest, where, owing to the special conditions, a literal enforcement of this code will result in unnecessary hardship, and so that the spirit of this code shall be observed and substantial justice done.
(c) Hear and decide conditional uses.
The Board of Zoning Appeals may call on the several city departments for assistance in the performance of its duties and it shall be the duty of such departments to render such assistance to the Board of Zoning Appeals as may reasonably be required.
(Ord. 2-2013. Passed 7-1-13.)