Zoning Board of Appeals determines the viability of all zoning applications within the City limits, including hearing arguments for zoning exceptions and deciding the viability and merit of all zoning considerations.
Zoning Board of Appeals' Members
Zoning Board of Appeals consists of five (5) members: two (2) members are appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation and approval by Council, and three (3) are appointed by City Council. Appointments are for a term of five (5) years.
Resident Representatives:
- James Shook, Chair (term expires 12/31/2026)
- Andrew Renacci (term ending 12/31/2028)
- Nicole Slivinski (term expires 12/31/2025)
- David Updegraff (term expires 12/31/2027)
- John Kilgore (term expires 12/31/2029)
Meeting Time & Location
Zoning Board of Appeals meetings are typically held on the fourth Wednesday of each month (except December) at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers at Avon Lake City Hall, 150 Avon Belden Road.
To allow time for proper notification, applications for a Variance or Appeal must be in the Zoning office two (2) weeks (no later than 12 p.m.) prior to the meeting date. The 2025 meeting dates are listed below.
| Submittal Deadline | Meeting Date |
| 1/8 | 1/22 |
| 2/12 | 2/26 |
| 3/12 | 3/26 |
| 4/9 | 4/30 |
| 5/14 | 5/28 |
| 6/11 | 6/25 |
| 7/9 | 7/23 |
| 8/13 | 8/27 |
| 9/10 | 9/24 |
| 10/8 | 10/22 |
| 11/12 | 12/3 |
Please note: When presenting a case before the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Owner or Agent must be present at the meeting.
More information, including zoning rules and regulations, can be found on the Zoning Department page.
Zoning Board of Appeals Responsibilities:
- 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; and
- 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.