The Village Zoning Board of Appeals, as established
by the Village of Victor, shall hear and decide appeals and requests
for variances from the requirements of this chapter.
The Village 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 Village 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 Village Zoning
Board of Appeals shall consider all technical evaluations, all relevant
factors, standards specified in other sections of this chapter and
the following:
The expected heights, velocity, duration, rate of
rise and sediment transport of the floodwaters and the effects of
wave action, if applicable, expected at the site.
The costs of providing governmental services during
and after flood conditions, including search-and-rescue operations
and 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 § 85-19D and the purposes of this chapter, the Village Zoning Board of Appeals may attach such conditions to the granting of variances as it deems necessary to further the purposes of this chapter.
The local administrator shall maintain the records
of all appeal actions, including technical information, and report
any variances to the Federal Emergency Management Agency 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, provided that the items in § 85-19D(1) through (12) 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 by a community for new construction
and substantial improvements and for other development necessary for
the conduct of a functionally dependent use, provided that:
The structure or other development is protected by
methods that minimize flood damages during the base flood and create
no additional threat to public safety.
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 or conflict with existing
local laws or ordinances.
Any applicant to whom a variance is granted for a
building with the lowest floor below the base flood elevation shall
be given written notice over the signature of a community official
that the cost of flood insurance will be commensurate with the increased
risk resulting from lowest floor elevation.