This chapter shall be administrated and enforced by the Zoning Enforcement Officer who shall be appointed by the Town Manager and is hereby empowered:
(a) To issue a zoning permit when these regulations have been followed or to refuse to issue the same in the event of noncompliance. Written notice of such refusal and reason, therefore, shall be given to the applicant.
(b) To collect the fees set forth herein for a zoning permit, variances, appeals, rezoning, special use permits, and subdivisions.
(c) To make and keep all records necessary and appropriate to the office, including a record of the issuance and denial of all zoning permits and receipt of complaints of violation of this chapter and action taken to the same.
(d) To inspect any building and/or land to determine whether any violations of this chapter have been committed or exist.
(e) To enforce this chapter and take all necessary steps to remedy any condition found in violation by ordering in writing the discontinuance of illegal uses or illegal work in progress and may institute an injunction, mandamus, or other necessary action.
(f) To keep the Board of Adjustment advised of all matters other than routine duties on the enforcement of this chapter and to transmit all applications and records on appeals, variances, or requests for special use permit approval.
(g) No Zoning Enforcement Officer shall make a final decision on an administrative decision required by this chapter if the outcome of that decision would have a direct, substantial, and readily identifiable financial impact on the staff member or if the applicant or other person subject to that decision is a person with whom the staff member has a close familial, business, or other associational relationship. If a staff member has a conflict of interest under this section, the decision shall be assigned to the supervisor of the staff person or such other staff person as may be designated by the development regulation or other ordinance.
(h) No staff member shall be financially interested or employed by a business that is financially interested in a development subject to regulation under this chapter unless the staff member is the owner of the land or building involved. No staff member or other individual or an employee of a company contracting with the Town of Valdese to provide staff support shall engage in any work that is inconsistent with his or her duties or with the interest of the town, as determined by the Town of Valdese. (Ord. of 1/10/05; Ord. of 12/6/10; Ord. of 6/28/21)