Zoning board of review – organization and membership

– Zoning board of review – organization and membership.

A. The town council shall appoint a zoning board of review consisting of five 5 regular members and two alternate members. All members shall be Richmond residents, and no member shall be an employee of the town.  If a vacancy occurs in any seat, the town council shall appoint a new member to serve the remainder of the term. The town council shall have the authority to remove a member for cause after a hearing.

B. The regular members shall be appointed to staggered five-year terms. The alternate members, who shall be designated as first alternate and second alternate, shall be appointed to one-year terms. The alternate members shall be present at and may participate in public hearings. The first alternate shall vote if a regular member is unable to vote, and the second alternate shall vote if two 2 regular members are unable to vote. In the absence of the first alternate, the second alternate shall serve as the first alternate. No regular or alternate member shall vote on an application unless the member has attended the entire public hearing on that application.

C.  Four regular or alternate members shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting a public hearing, provided, however, that no more than five regular or alternate members shall vote to approve or disapprove an application or appeal.

D.  The board may retain legal, technical, or clerical assistance to aid in the discharge of its duties with the approval of the town council.

E. The chairperson or acting chairperson shall have the authority to administer oaths and compel the attendance of witnesses by issuing subpoenas.

F.  The board shall adopt written rules of procedure.

(Ord. dated 4-1-14; Ord. dated 1-3-23)