531.15  VARIANCES.
   (a)   The Municipal Administrator or his designee may grant individual variances beyond the limitation prescribed by this chapter, whenever it is found, upon presentation of adequate proof, that compliance with any section of this chapter, or with any regulation or order of the Municipal Administrator or his designee in respect to this chapter would impose unreasonable hardship.  In granting a variance, the Municipal Administrator or his designee may impose such conditions as the policies of this chapter may require.
   (b)   Any variance granted pursuant to this section shall be for such period of time, not exceeding one year, as shall be specified by the Municipal Administrator and upon the condition that the persons or entities who receive such a variance shall make such periodic reports of their efforts to comply with the provisions of this chapter as the Municipal Administrator specifies.
   Such variance may be extended for periods up to six months by affirmative action of the Municipal Administrator, but only if satisfactory progress toward noise abatement has been shown.  The Municipal Administrator may, in the case of construction, or other extraordinary circumstances, grant a variance for the duration of the project and a contract letting agency, public or private, may apply for this variance.
   (c)   If requested by the persons or entities seeking such a variance or if deemed desirable by the Municipal Administrator, a public hearing shall be held prior to the issuance of any variance for the purpose of exchanging information relevant to the requested variance.  Notice of such hearing shall be made by the Municipal Administrator in the form of a news release at least ten days prior to the hearing. 
   (d)   The request for a variance shall be accompanied by a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) or such other amount as may hereafter be authorized by Council.
   (e)   Governmental agencies are exempted from payment of such fee. 
(Ord. 1-91.  Passed 8-26-91.)