(a) Zoning Ordinances. Council may, from time to time, enact and amend such zoning ordinances and regulations as it may deem necessary. The method of such enactment and amendment shall be as provided by ordinance of Council and need not be as provided by any State statute regulating or pertaining thereto, it being the intention of this provision of this Charter to require only such method of adoption or amendment and notice thereof as shall afford fair and adequate notice and protection to the rights of the public and of persons affected by such ordinances. In no case shall such notice be for less than seven (7) calendar days.
(b) Board Membership. There shall be a Board of Zoning Appeals which shall consist of five (5) members appointed by the Mayor with the approval of a majority of members elected to Council. Members of the Board of Zoning Appeals shall hold no other municipal office or appointment. The Mayor shall have the right to remove any member of the Board of Zoning Appeals with cause. This section shall be of no effect until January 1, 1959. At that time two (2) of the electors first appointed shall be designated by the Mayor to serve for two (2) years, two (2) for four (4) years, and one (1) for five (5) years. Thereafter their successors shall serve for terms of five (5) years.
(c) Compensation. Members of the Board of Zoning Appeals shall serve without compensation unless otherwise provided by ordinance.
(d) Powers. All meetings of the Board, including committee meetings, shall be open to the public. It shall be the duty of the Board of Zoning Appeals to hear and decide appeals made for exceptions to and variations in the zoning ordinance, and other ordinances as directed by Council legislation or the Codified Ordinances, of the Municipality in conformity with the purpose and intent thereof and to hear and decide all appeals made for exceptions to and variations in the application of zoning ordinances, and other ordinances as directed by Council legislation or the Codified Ordinances, or orders and regulations of administrative officials or agencies in regard thereto. The Board of Zoning Appeals shall permit an exception or variance from the zoning ordinance only when there are practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships in the way of carrying out the strict interpretation of zoning ordinance and so long as the granting of such exception or variance will be in harmony with general purpose and intent of said ordinance and that the public health, safety and general welfare will continue to be secured and substantial justice done. All rulings of the Board of Zoning Appeals shall be subject to confirmation by the Council.
(Amended 11-3-70; 11-3-20)