If you work in the land development, construction, architecture, or civil engineering field, then you are probably familiar with the term “zoning variance”. You may have even been told that you need a zoning variance for a project on your own property. If so, then you have undoubtedly heard of the Board of Adjustment. This five-member City advisory board is responsible for hearing and deciding requests for variances from the City’s zoning regulations. These requests range from allowing a building to encroach on a setback to allowing a detached garage, carport, or other accessory structure to exceed the maximum size. Using the powers granted to it by State and City laws, the Board holds a public hearing, interprets law, makes findings of fact, draws conclusions, and takes action on each variance request. In addition to zoning variances, the Board also hears and decides variances from the City’s floodplain management regulations. It also hears and decides appeals of decisions made by City officials pertaining to the zoning or floodplain management regulations when it is alleged that such decisions were made in error. Lastly, the Board reviews requests to allow a liquor license for a business located less than 200 feet from a church or school. In addition to the Board’s five regular members, there are three alternate members who serve in the absence of regular members. Meetings of the Board are scheduled for the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
Find agendas, members and more:
https://www.cityofcapegirardeau.org/departments/government/boards_commissions/board_of_adjustment