[Ord. No. 6924 §§1—3(9-7), 2-22-1999]
A. The
Board shall not have the power to change the classifications of the
property as shown on the Official Zoning Map or to make any changes
in the regulations of this Chapter but shall interpret the Chapter
and authorize variations thereof pursuant to the following powers
and duties:
1. To hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is error in
any order, requirement, decision or determination made by a Building
Official in the enforcement of this Chapter.
2. To interpret and vary the application of site requirements imposed
by the zoning ordinance where variances are permitted. Variances are
currently permitted only in areas zoned residential and commercial.
3. In passing upon appeals, where there are practical difficulties or
unnecessary hardship in the way of carrying out the strict letter
of the zoning ordinance, to vary or modify the application of any
of the regulations or provisions of the zoning ordinance relating
to the use, construction or alteration of buildings or structures
or the use of land so that the spirit of the zoning ordinance shall
be observed, public safety and welfare secured and substantial justice
done.
B. In
exercising the above-mentioned powers, the Board may in conformity
with the provisions of Sections 89.010 to 89.140, RSMo., as amended,
reverse or affirm, wholly or partly, or may modify the order, requirement,
decision or determination appealed from and may make such order, requirement,
decision or determination as ought to be made and to that end shall
have all the powers of the Building Official from whom the appeal
is taken. The concurring vote of four (4) members of the Board shall
be necessary to reverse any order, requirement, decision or determination
of the Building Inspector or official or to decide in favor of the
applicant on any matter upon which it is required to pass under any
such ordinance or to effect any variation in such ordinance.
[Ord. No. 6924 §§1—3(9-8), 2-22-1999; Ord. No. 7170 §1(9-8), 6-27-2005; Ord.
No. 10-008 §1, 4-26-2010]
A. Appeals
to the Board of Adjustment may be taken by any person aggrieved, or
by any neighborhood organization as defined in Section 32.105, RSMo.,
representing such person, or by any officer, department, board or
bureau of the City affected by any decision of the Building Official.
Such appeal shall be taken within ten (10) days by filing with the
official from whom the appeal is taken and with the Board of Adjustment
a notice of appeal specifying the grounds thereof. A fee in the amount
of fifty dollars ($50.00) shall accompany such notice of appeal. The
official from whom the appeal is taken shall forthwith transmit to
the Board all the papers constituting the record upon which the action
appealed from was taken. An appeal stays all proceedings in furtherance
of the actions appealed from, unless the official from whom the appeal
is taken certifies to the Board of Adjustment after the notice of
appeal shall have been filed with him/her that by reason of facts
stated in the certificate a stay would, in his/her opinion, cause
immediate peril to life or property. In such case, proceedings shall
not be stayed otherwise than by a restraining order which may be granted
by the Board of Adjustment or by a court of record on application
or notice to the official from whom the appeal is taken and on due
cause shown. The Board of Adjustment shall fix a time for the hearing
of the appeal within thirty (30) days following receipt of same, give
public notice thereof by publication in a local newspaper of general
circulation in the City not less than five (5) nor more than fifteen
(15) days prior to the date of said hearing. In addition, the Building
Official shall post notice of said hearing and the reasons therefore
by placing a sign on the subject premises. Upon the hearing, any party
may appear in person or by agent or by attorney.
B. The Board of Adjustment shall render decisions under this Section only on appeals from an action of the Building Official. The Board shall take action only when it has determined that a permit has been incorrectly issued or denied or when it has determined that the Code has been incorrectly interpreted or when the appellant proves undue and unnecessary hardship due to a provision or provisions herein contained as applied by the Building Official to a specific lot or tract. In case an unnecessary or undue hardship, due to peculiar characteristics of a specific lot or tract, is proven, the Board may issue a variance signed by the Chairman and setting out any conditions to be met. A copy of the variance shall be sent to the Code Enforcement Officer who shall issue a building permit setting out the terms of the variance. In no case shall the Board of Adjustment issue a variance or an order permitting a use to be placed in a district in which it is not permitted in this Code, except on appeal of a decision by the Code Enforcement Officer or as permitted by Section
405.480(A)(2). In no case shall the Board decide an appeal from an action of the City Council or Zoning and Planning Commission. The concurring vote of four (4) members of the Board shall be necessary to effect a decision. In all cases, the spirit and intent of this Chapter shall be observed, public safety and welfare secured and substantial justice done.
C. Any
person or persons jointly or severally aggrieved by any decision of
the Board of Adjustment, or any neighborhood organization as defined
in Section 32.105, RSMo., representing such person, or any officer,
department, board or bureau of the City may present to the Circuit
Court a petition, duly verified, setting forth that such decision
is illegal, in whole or part, specifying the ground of the illegality.
Such petition must be presented to the court within thirty (30) days
after the filing of the decision of the Board in the office of the
City Clerk, and thereafter proceedings shall be had thereon as provided
by Sections 89.010 to 89.140, RSMo., as amended.