The Zoning Board of Appeals as established by the Town of Martinsburg
shall hear and decide appeals and requests for variances from the
requirements of this chapter.
The Zoning Board of Appeals shall hear and decide appeals when it
is alleged there is an error in any requirement, decision or determination
made by the local administrator in the enforcement or administration
of this chapter.
Those aggrieved by the decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals may
appeal such decision to the Supreme Court pursuant to Article 78 of
the Civil Practice Law and Rules.
In passing upon such applications, the Zoning Board of Appeals shall
consider all technical evaluations, all relevant factors, standards
specified in other sections of this chapter and:
The expected heights, velocity, duration, rate of rise, and
sediment transport of the flood waters and the effects of wave action,
if applicable, expected at the site.
The costs of providing governmental services during and after
flood conditions, including maintenance and repair of public utilities
and facilities such as sewer, gas, electrical, and water systems and
streets and bridges.
Upon consideration of the factors of Subsection D and the purposes of this chapter, the Town Board may attach such conditions to the granting of variances as it deems necessary to further the purposes of this chapter.
The Town Clerk shall maintain the records of all appeal actions including
technical information and report any variances to the Federal Insurance
Administration upon request.
Generally, variances may be issued for new construction and substantial improvements to be erected on a lot of 1/2 acre or less in size contiguous to and surrounded by lots with existing structures constructed below the base flood level, providing that the items in § 125-16D(1) through (11) have been fully considered. As the lot size increases beyond the 1/2 acre, the technical justification required for issuing the variance increases.
Variances may be issued for the reconstruction, rehabilitation or
restoration of structures listed on the National Register of Historic
Places or the State Inventory of Historic Places, without regard to
the procedures set forth in the remainder of this section.
A determination that the granting of a variance will not result in increased flood heights, additional threats to public safety, or extraordinary public expense, or create nuisances, cause fraud on or victimization of the public as identified in § 125-16D or conflict with existing local laws or ordinances.
Any applicant to whom a variance is granted shall be given written
notice that the structure will be permitted to be built with a lowest
floor elevation below the base flood elevation and that the cost of
flood insurance will be commensurate with the increased risk resulting
from lowest floor elevation.