In exercising its jurisdiction, the board may, in conformity with law, reverse or affirm, wholly or partly, or may modify the order, requirement, decision or determination appealed from and may make the order, requirement, decision or determination as ought to be made, and to that end shall have all the powers of the officer from whom the appeal is taken. In considering all appeals and petitions within its jurisdiction under this chapter, the board shall, before making any finding in a specific case, first determine that the proposed change will not constitute a change in the zoning district map and will not impair an adequate supply of light and air to adjacent property or increase the congestion in public streets or increase the public danger of fire and safety or materially diminish or impair established property values within the surrounding area or in any other respect impair the public health, safety, comfort, morals and welfare of the city. In making a determination, the board may request information and recommendations from any department of the city. Every decision by the board shall be accompanied by a written finding of fact based on testimony and other evidence, specifying the reason for granting or denying the variation. The concurring vote of at least two-thirds of the members of the board of adjustment shall be necessary to reverse any order, requirement, decision or determination of any administrative official, or to decide in favor of the applicant on any matter upon which the board of adjustment is required to pass under any ordinance, or to effect any variation in an ordinance.
(1992 Code, App. B, § 15.63.090) (Ord. 42-83, passed 6-27-1983; Ord. 43-86, passed 5-19-1986; Ord. 28-10, passed 4-5-2010; Ord. 9-13, passed 3-19-2013)