Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals determines the viability of all zoning applications within the city limits. This includes hearing arguments for zoning exceptions and deciding the viability and merit of all zoning considerations.

Board Members

The Zoning Board of Appeals consists of five members: two members appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation and approval by Council, and three appointed by City Council. Appointments are for a term of five years.

  • Susanna Merlone (term expires 12/31/2024)
  • Andrew Renacci (term ending 12/31/2028)
  • James Shook (term expires 12/31/2026)
  • Nicole Slivinski (term expires 12/31/2025)
  • David Updegraff (term expires 12/31/2027)

Meeting Times & Locations

Meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month (with the exception of December) at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chamber.

To allow time for proper notification, applications for a Variance or Appeal must be in the Zoning office two weeks (no later than 12:00 p.m.) prior to the meeting date. The 2023 meeting dates are listed below.

Submittal  
Deadline
 
Meeting
Date
1/11 1/25
2/8 2/22
3/15 3/22
4/12 4/26
5/10 5/24
6/14 6/28
7/12 7/26
8/9 8/23
9/3 9/27
10/11 10/25
11/15 12/6 (moved from 11/22)

 

Please note: when presenting a case before the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Owner or Agent must be present at the meeting.

More specific information, including zoning rules and regulations, can be found on the Zoning Department page. 

Agenda and Minutes

Specific Zoning Board Responsibilities:

The purpose of the Zoning Board of Appeals is to hear and decide applications for exceptions to and variances from the zoning ordinances of the municipality and to hear and decide all appeals from orders, decisions and regulations of municipal administrative officials or agencies in regard to the zoning ordinances. The Zoning Board of Appeals shall not permit any exception or variance from the zoning ordinances unless it finds that a practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship would exist as a result of the literal application of the zoning ordinances because of some peculiarity of the property in question as distinct from the other properties in the same district. In such cases the granting of the exception or variance must not be detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to the property in the immediate surrounding area, and must be in keeping with the general purpose, intent and objective of the municipal zoning ordinances.