(a) The City of South Euclid recognizes that this Planning and Zoning Code is one of the most important codes of the City. It affects the lives and property of every resident of the City. Sound application of the provisions of this Code will maintain and improve the community, and vigorous administration and enforcement of this Code will greatly assist in preventing physical deterioration of the community which in the future may result in increased service and protection costs and a declining tax duplicate. Therefore, the position of Zoning Administrator is hereby created to administer the provisions of this Code.
(b) The Zoning Administrator shall be appointed by and directly responsible to the Mayor and shall have the following specific powers and duties:
(1) Propose and recommend to the Planning Commission the enactment of amendments to this Code and to the Zoning Map.
(2) Receive all applications for amendments to this Code and to the Zoning Map, shall prepare and submit a written report to the Planning Commission of all investigations, facts and findings deemed pertinent, including reports from the City Engineer, the Traffic Bureau of the Police Department and the Chief of the Fire Department, and a description of the property by permanent parcel number, make the necessary land use surveys and refer all such applications, together with appropriate recommendations, to the Planning Commission for action.
(3) Review all applications for a building permit and all applications for a certificate of occupancy to make certain that they meet the requirements of this Code. All site plans for buildings, structures, developments and uses, for which application for a building permit is made, shall be brought before the Planning Commission for its review and consultation, except for single-family detached houses and improvements pertinent thereto. No permit shall be issued without the approval of the Zoning Administrator.
(4) Participate in the establishment of rules and regulations for proceedings before the Planning Commission and the Zoning and Building Standards Board of Appeals and the standardization of forms for such proceedings.
(5) Maintain written records of all actions taken under this Code, as well as the records of the Planning Commission and the Board of Appeals.
(6) Maintain a map showing the current zoning classification of all land in the City.
(7) Intervene in all proceedings before the Board of Appeals to present facts and information which assist the Board in reaching a decision, and resist and oppose any deviation from the standard provisions of this Code.
(8) Conduct investigations and surveys to determine compliance or noncompliance with the provisions of this Code. Incidental to such investigations and surveys, an authorized representative of the City may enter into and upon any structure or land and cause the same to be inspected or examined. If provisions for doing so are contained in a housing code, such provisions shall prevail.
(9) Make written orders requiring compliance with the provisions of this Code, including orders to stop construction or operations if they are in violation of the provisions of this Code.
(10) Recommend to the Law Department court proceedings for the enforcement of the provisions of this Code and administrative determinations thereunder.
(11) Maintain a register of nonconforming uses and enforce applicable procedures for the elimination of such uses.
(12) Cause notice of public hearings to be published once each week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the City that are scheduled by the Planning Commission and the Board of Appeals, during which period of notice the proposed ordinance, maps, plans and reports shall be on file in the office of the Clerk of Council for public examination.
(c) The Zoning Administrator shall be experienced in matters pertaining to zoning and development and shall possess all qualifications established by ordinance. The compensation of the Zoning Administrator shall be fixed by City Council.
(d) Upon approval of City Council, the Zoning Administrator may retain professional architectural, engineering, planning, traffic engineering and similar services, on a consulting basis, to assist in carrying out his or her duties. Obligations for expenditures for such services shall be within the amount appropriated for such purpose by City Council.
(e) The Zoning Administrator may employ such staff assistance for clerical, investigative and other duties as may be provided for by ordinance of Council. Compensation for such staff shall be within the amount appropriated for such purposes by City Council.
(Ord. 56-06. Passed 12-11-06.)