The board of appeals shall be the zoning board of review, and
shall have all the powers and duties now or hereafter conferred upon
the zoning board of review by law or ordinance.
The board of appeals shall act as an appellate body to hear
appeals from the refusal of any licensing body of the city to grant
any license, or from the granting of any license, by any person claiming
to be aggrieved by the decision of the licensing body. It shall have
the power to reverse the licensing authority, and to order the licensing
authority to grant or to refrain from granting any license, or to
hold a new hearing upon the granting of the same. The aforesaid powers
of the board of appeals shall apply to all licensing bodies or authorities
other than the city council.
The board of appeals shall act as a board of tax review to hear
appeals from assessments of taxes made by the tax assessor, and upon
hearing thereof, may affirm the action of the tax assessor or may
order a reduction in the assessment. Nothing herein contained shall
be construed to limit or extend the right of a taxpayer to apply to
the proper courts in accordance with the general laws of the state
for relief from the assessment of taxes.
The board of appeals shall hear such other appeals by any persons
claiming to be aggrieved by the action of any other department, board
or commission of the city, other than matters within the jurisdiction
of the personnel board or decisions of the personnel board, as the
council shall ordain.
The board of appeals shall have authority to adopt rules and
regulations as to the procedure to be followed in presenting, considering
and disposing of appeals; and shall have the power to administer oaths,
summons witnesses and receive testimony and exhibits.