Powers and duties of the board

The board shall have the following powers and duties:

• • a. To hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is an error in any order, requirement, decision or determination made by the zoning officer in the enforcement of this ordinance. As a result of an appeal, the board may affirm or reverse, or may modify, the order, requirement, decision or determination appealed from, and may make such order, requirement, decision or determination as ought to be made; and to that end the board shall have all the powers of the zoning officer from whom the appeal was taken.

  • b. To hear and decide upon the issuance of special use permits upon which the board is authorized to pass as enumerated in articles IV and XVI of this ordinance.

  • c. To authorize upon appeal, in specific cases, such variance in the application of the requirements of this ordinance as will not be contrary to the public interest, where owing to special conditions a literal enforcement of the provisions of the ordinance will result in unnecessary hardship, and so that the spirit of the ordinance shall be observed and substantial justice done.

  • d. To refer matters to the planning board, or to other boards or agencies of the Town of Tiverton, as the board may deem appropriate, for findings and recommendations.

  • e. To provide for the issuance of conditional zoning approvals where a proposed application would otherwise be approved except that [for] one or more necessary state or federal agency approvals which are pending. A conditional zoning approval shall be revoked in the instance where any necessary state or federal agency approvals are not received within a specified time period.

  • f. To hear and decide other matters, according to the terms of this ordinance or other statutes, and upon which the board may be authorized to pass under this ordinance or other statutes.