(A) The Board of Adjustment shall consist of 7 members, and initially be those current members of the Planning Board. As seats become available thereafter, each Board of Adjustment seat shall be assigned a separate Board of Commissioners district until all 7 seats shall be so assigned. The Board of Commission member then currently serving from the designated district shall have the right to nominate an individual to fill the seat, with the Board of Commissioners to make the final decision of appointment. In addition to the 7 full time members of the Board of Adjustment, up to 2 at-large alternates may be appointed and available to serve in a member's absence. Terms of office shall be for a 3 year period, with the initial Board Member's term being consistent with their current term on the Planning Board.
(B) Additionally should any of the municipalities within the county elect to allow Vance County to administer this chapter within their jurisdictions, each of the municipalities shall have the option of nominating 1 additional alternate member from that jurisdiction that shall be considered a full voting member for issues within that jurisdiction's boundaries only. These alternate members are encouraged to voice opinions and recommendations concerning matters outside of their jurisdiction but shall have no vote on these matters. The nomination from the municipalities shall not be official without Board of Commissioner approval.
(C) Powers and duties. The Board of Adjustment shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) To hear and decide appeals from and review any order, requirement, decision, determination, or interpretation made by an administrative official charged with enforcing this chapter.
(2) To hear and decide any exceptions which are specifically delegated to it by this chapter.
(3) To determine and vary application of zoning regulations in harmony with their general purpose and intent and in accordance with general and specific rules contained herein.
(4) To hear and decide appeals for variances from the zoning provisions of this chapter in cases where special conditions would make strict and literal interpretation and enforcement of the zoning provisions of this chapter result in a loss of privileges shared by other properties within the same zoning zone.
(5) To interpret zoning maps and pass upon disputed questions of zone boundary lines and similar questions that may occur in the administration of this chapter.
(6) To hear and decide all matters referred to it or upon which it is required to pass under this chapter.
(Ord. 39, passed 10-3-2011)