[R.O. 2012 §410.010; CC 1988 §410.010; Ord. No. 692, 2-16-1988; Ord. No. 788, 1-16-1990]
A. 
The word "Board" when used in this Section shall be construed to mean the Board of Adjustment. The Board shall consist of five (5) members, all of whom shall be residents appointed by the Board of Aldermen. In addition, there shall be three (3) alternate members, all of whom shall be residents appointed by the Board of Aldermen. The term of office of the members of the Board shall be five (5) years, excepting that the membership of the first Board appointed shall serve respectively for terms of one for one (1) year; one for two (2) years; one for three (3) years; one for four (4) years; and one for five (5) years. Thereafter, members shall be appointed for terms of five (5) years each. The term of office of the alternate members of the Board shall be five (5) years, excepting that the first three (3) alternate members of the Board appointed shall serve respectively for terms of one for one (1) year; one for three (3) years; and one for five (5) years. Thereafter, alternate members shall be appointed for terms of five (5) years each. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term only. Members and alternate members shall be removable for cause by the Board of Aldermen upon written charges and after public hearing.
B. 
The Board shall elect its own Chairman who shall serve one (1) year. The Board shall adopt from time to time such rules and regulations as it may deem necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this Code.
[R.O. 2012 §410.020; CC 1988 §410.020; Ord. No. 692, 2-16-1988; Ord. No. 789, 1-16-1990; Ord. No. 1183 §1, 1-19-1999]
Meetings of the Board shall be held at the call of the Chairman and at such other time as the Board may determine. If the Chairman or, in his/her absence, the Acting Chairman, determines any member is unable to attend a meeting of the Board or if the Chairman, or, in his/her absence, the Acting Chairman, determines any member is disqualified from participating in any meeting then, for such member absent or disqualified, the Chairman or, in his/her absence, the Acting Chairman, shall select one (1) of the alternate members of the Board to take the place of the member absent or disqualified. In that event, the reason why the absent or disqualified member of the Board is absent or disqualified shall be noted in the minutes of the proceedings. Such Chairman, or in his/her absence, the Acting Chairman, may administer oaths and compel the attendance of witnesses. All meetings of the Board shall be open to the public. The Board shall keep minutes of its proceedings, showing the vote of each member upon each question, and shall keep records of its examinations and other official actions, all of which shall be immediately filed in the office of the Board and shall be a public record. All testimony, objections thereto, and rulings thereon, shall be taken down by a reporter employed by the Board for the purpose. The Board may meet with either four (4) or five (5) members, including alternate members, participating in the meeting, but in no instance shall it meet with less than four (4) members, including alternate members.
[R.O. 2012 §410.030; CC 1988 §410.030]
A. 
The Board of Adjustment shall have the following powers and it shall be its duty:
1. 
To hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is error in any order, requirement, decision or determination made by the Building Commissioner in the enforcement of this Code.
2. 
To permit the extension of a district where the boundary line of a district divides a lot held in a single ownership at the time of the passage of this Code.
3. 
To interpret the provisions of this Code in such a way as to carry out the intent and purpose of the plan, as shown upon the map fixing the several districts accompanying and incorporated herein at Section 400.030(B) of this Code where the street layout actually on the ground varies from the street layout as shown on the map aforesaid.
4. 
To permit the erection and use of a building or the use of premises for public utility purposes.
5. 
To permit the reconstruction of a non-conforming building which has been damaged by explosion, fire, Act of God, or public enemy, to the extent of more than sixty percent (60%) of its assessed value, where the Board finds some compelling necessity requiring a continuance of the non-conforming use and the primary purpose of continuing the non-conforming use is not to continue a monopoly.
6. 
To permit a variation in the yard requirements of any district where there are unusual practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships in the carrying out of these provisions due to an irregular shape of the lot, topographical or other conditions, provided such variation will not seriously affect any adjoining property or the general welfare.
7. 
To authorize upon appeal, whenever a property owner can show that a strict application of the terms of this Title relating to the construction or alteration of buildings or structures or the use of land will impose upon him/her practical difficulties or unnecessary hardship, such variations of the strict application of the terms of this Title as are in harmony with its general purpose and intent but only when the Board is satisfied that a granting of such variation will not merely serve as a convenience to the applicant, but will alleviate some practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship so great as to warrant a variation from the comprehensive plan as established by this Title, and at the same time the surrounding property will be properly protected.
[R.O. 2012 §410.040; CC 1988 §410.040; Ord. No. 692, 2-16-1988]
A. 
In exercising the above powers, the Board may 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 Commissioner from whom the appeal is taken.
B. 
Every variation granted or denied by the Board shall be accompanied by a written finding of fact, based on testimony and evidence and specifying the reason for granting or denying the variation.
C. 
The concurring vote of four (4) members of the Board shall be necessary to reverse any order, requirement, decision or determination from any such administrative official or to decide in favor of the applicant on any matter upon which the Board is required to pass under any such ordinance or to effect any variation in such ordinance.
[R.O. 2012 §410.050; CC 1988 §410.050; Ord. No. 692, 2-16-1988; Ord. No. 1169 §1, 5-19-1998]
A. 
Appeals to the Board of Adjustment may be taken by any person aggrieved, by any neighborhood organization as defined in Section 32.105, RSMo., representing such person, or by an Officer, Department, any Board other than the Board of Adjustment, affected by any decision of the Building Commissioner. Such appeal shall be taken within a reasonable time, as shall be prescribed by the Board by general rule, by filing with the Building Commissioner and with the Board a notice of appeal and supporting documents specifying the grounds thereof in twelve (12) copies. The Building Commissioner shall forthwith transmit to the Board the papers constituting the record upon which the action appealed from is taken.
B. 
An appeal stays all proceedings in furtherance of the action appealed from, unless the Building Commissioner certifies to the Board 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 imminent 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, or by a Court of record on application or notice to the Building Commissioner on good cause shown.
C. 
The Board shall fix a reasonable time for the hearing of the appeal, give not less than fifteen (15) days public notice thereof, as well as due notice to the parties in interest, and decide the same within a reasonable time. Upon the hearing any party may appear in person or by agent or by attorney.
D. 
A fee of two hundred dollars ($200.00) shall be paid to the Treasurer at the time the notice of appeal is filed to be credited to the General Revenue Fund of the City of Warson Woods. In addition, the petitioner shall pay for publishing public hearing notices, duplication costs and the transcription of the public hearing. Petitioner will be invoiced by the City after actual costs are determined.
[Ord. No. 1675, 1-17-2023]
[R.O. 2012 §410.060; CC 1988 §410.060; Ord. No. 692, 2-16-1988]
A. 
Any person or persons jointly or severally aggrieved by any decision of the Board of Adjustment, any neighborhood organization as defined in Section 32.105, RSMo., representing such person or persons, or any Officer, Department, Board or Bureau of the City of Warson Woods, may present to the Circuit Court having jurisdiction in St. Louis County a petition, duly verified, stating that such decision is illegal in whole or in part, specifying the grounds of the illegality and asking for relief therefrom. Such petition shall be presented to the Court within thirty (30) days after the filing of the decision in the office of the Board.
B. 
Upon the presentation of such petition, the Court may allow a writ of certiorari directed to the Board for review of the data and records acted upon or it may take additional evidence or appoint a referee to take such evidence in the case. The Court may reverse or affirm or may modify the decision brought up for review.
C. 
Costs shall not be allowed against the Board, unless it shall appear to the Court that it acted with gross negligence or in bad faith or with malice in making the decision appealed from.