The Board shall have the following powers:
A. To hear and decide appeals where it is alleged that the Zoning Officer
of the Township has misinterpreted or misapplied any provisions of
this chapter or has failed to follow prescribed procedures.
B. To hear and decide appeals as to the validity of this chapter and
the Map, except as provided in Section 1003 and subsection (1)(b)
of Section 1004 of the Municipalities Planning Code.
C. To authorize, upon appeal in specific cases, a variance from the
term of this chapter, as provided under Section 912 of the Municipalities
Planning Code.
D. To interpret the meaning of any restrictions, conditions or provisions
imposed when granting an exception or variance to this chapter.
The Board shall adopt rules of procedure as to the manner of
filing applications for special exceptions or for variance from the
terms of this chapter.
In exercising the above-mentioned powers, the Board may affirm,
reverse or modify the order, decisions or determination appealed from
and may make such order, decision or determination as ought to be
made and, to that end, shall have all the powers of the officer from
whom the appeal is taken.
Upon the filing of an appeal or application to the Zoning Hearing
Board, the Board shall fix a reasonable time and place for a public
hearing thereon and shall give notice, with all notices required hereunder
stating the date, time and place of any hearing and the particular
nature of the matter to be considered at the hearing, as follows:
A. Public notice by publishing a notice of the hearing once a week for
two successive weeks, and not less than seven days prior to the hearing
date, in a newspaper of general circulation in the Township.
B. Written notice shall be given to the applicant at the address set
forth on the appeal or application.
C. Written notice shall be given to the Zoning Officer and to the members
of the Board of Commissioners.
D. Written notice shall be given to any person who has made a timely
request for the same.
E. Written notice of said hearing shall be given by the conspicuous
posting on the affected property or tract of land at least one week
prior to the hearing of a copy of the notice of the hearing, such
notice shall be affixed by the Zoning Officer.
An interim period of one year shall be required between alike
or similar petitions whether before the Zoning Hearing Board or the
Board of Commissioners.