The Zoning Board of Appeals is made up of 3 members of the community, appointed by the Township Board. The ZBA is responsible for reviewing and deciding on certain matters related to zoning regulations and land use within the township. The key responsibilities of the ZBA are:
Variances: The ZBA considers requests for variances from zoning regulations. Variances are exceptions to the rules that may be granted if strict adherence would cause undue hardship to the property owner.
Appeals: Property owners who disagree with a zoning decision made by the local government can appeal to the ZBA. The ZBA has the authority to review these appeals and make a decision.
Interpretations: The ZBA clarifies and interprets specific provisions of the zoning ordinance when there are ambiguities or disputes.
Administrative Reviews: The ZBA may also conduct administrative reviews of decisions made by zoning administrators to ensure they comply with zoning regulations and are applied consistently.
The Zoning Board of Appeals plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of zoning regulations while also providing flexibility where necessary to accommodate unique circumstances or hardships faced by property owners.