Subject
title
Board of Appeals Annual Report
end
Department
Community Planning and Development Services (CPDS)
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Mayor and Council receive the 2024 Annual Report (see Attachment 1).
Discussion
As a quasi-judicial board tasked with acting on variances, special exceptions, and appeals of certain staff decisions, the Board conducts regular public hearings that allow for staff, applicants, and members of the public to testify. The Board is therefore deliberate in its meeting procedures, and in most cases, renders a decision on the evening of the hearing. The Board also allows for reconsideration of its decisions for good cause or if some irregularity has been noted in its proceedings. This allows applicants or members of the public the opportunity to request such reconsideration when there is merit, in their view.
The Board meets on an as-needed basis when applications have been filed requiring their action. Accordingly, the Board met three times during Calendar Year 2024 and acted upon three variances and one special exception during the year. All applications were approved, except for one variance, which was continued by the Board to afford the applicant additional time to supplement the justification for the request, but the application was ultimately withdrawn by the applicant. The special exception was a modification to a previously approved special exception.
The Board has continued to conduct hybrid meetings, which allows for maximum flexibility to those wishing to participate in the meetings and for applicants to receive decisions on their applications in a timely manner.
Looking to the future, the Board expects to continue its practice of conducting public hearings that are open to anyone who wishes to provide testimony, and to consider all application requests objectively, fairly, and based on the information, evidence, and testimony that is presented or available. The Board will ensure that all decisions are made in a timely manner and are based on findings that the Board is charged to make as specified in the Zoning Ordinance.
Mayor and Council History
Previous annual reports have been presented to the Mayor and Council.
Boards and Commissions Review
The Board of Appeals members, which include Chair Alan Frankle and members Roy Deitchman and Jimmy Hauer, reviewed the Annual Report at the April 16, 2025, meeting and provided comments that have been incorporated into the document.