The Board of Adjustment hears and decides upon (1) area, dimensional, or use variance requests; (2) appeals from administrative decisions of the Building Commissioner or the Director of Public Services on the interpretation of the building or zoning codes; and (3) fence variance requests.
The decision of the Board of Adjustment and the reasons for the granting or denial of every variance or appeal will be in the findings of fact and conclusions for each case. The purpose of a variance is to provide limited relief in those cases where strict application of a particular requirement will create a practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship. It is not intended that a variance be granted merely to remove inconveniences or financial burdens that the requirements may impose on property owners in general. Variances are intended to address extraordinary, exceptional, or unique situations that were not caused by the applicant's act or omission.