Any owner or person who is aggrieved with the
ruling or decision of the Enforcement Officer in any matter relative
to the interpretation or enforcement of any of the provisions of this
chapter may appeal the decision or interpretation to a Board of Appeals.
A. Filing. This appeal shall be filed with the appropriate
authority, in writing, within 10 days of the date of the rendition
of the decision or interpretation.
B. Appeals Board.
(1) There is hereby established a Housing Board of Appeals,
which shall consist of five members to be appointed by the Board of
Trustees of the Village of Dobbs Ferry. In making these appointments,
the Board of Trustees shall endeavor to keep the membership balanced
between owners and occupants of housing and professionals involved
in fields pertaining to housing. The terms of the members shall be
staggered so that one or two tenures expire each year.
(2) The Board shall be empowered to charge and collect
reasonable fees and to make rules and regulations governing the appeals
process. It shall hear all appeals relative to the enforcement of
this chapter. The Board, in addition, may subpoena witnesses, records
and such other information as may be relevant to the matter at issue,
administer oaths, compel testimony, prescribe penalties and make orders
necessary to ensure compliance, as well as retain a formal hearing
officer and make findings of fact and conclusions regarding any investigation.
The Board may conduct its hearings without regard to legal rules of
evidence.
C. Decisions. Upon a determination of an appeal by the
Board, the violation shall be corrected within the time limit provided
for in the violation notice, unless such violation notice is reversed
by the Board or the Board changes or modifies such period of time
within which to comply.
D. Records. Rules and regulations of the Board as well
as its actions and decisions on matters that come before it for review
shall be filed with and maintained by the Department and shall be
public records.
In addition to or in lieu of the civil and criminal
penalties provided herein, any person may be prevented from violating
the provisions of this chapter by the Department seeking injunctive
relief in the manner provided by law.