Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Rules Of Procedure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Zoning Board of Appeals adopts revised rules clarifying chair pro tem role and petition handling
Summary
The Zoning Board of Appeals adopted updated rules of procedure on July 10, 2025, consolidating the acting-chair and chair pro tem roles, leaving quorum language unchanged, and agreeing to correct and redistribute an attachment that explains petition circulation and affidavit requirements.
The Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously on July 10, 2025, to adopt revised rules of procedure that, among other changes, collapse the separate “acting chair” and “chair pro tem” titles into a single chair pro tem role and clarify petition-handling attachments used by staff.
Board members discussed proposed language submitted in advance and debated two related issues: how to handle interim leadership when the chair is absent, and whether to change the quorum definition while a seat remains unfilled. The board agreed with a proposed revision to consolidate the acting-chair and chair pro tem positions. The proposer said he had “texted that language to Jessica” and asked staff to incorporate it into a revised draft.
On quorum, members discussed whether the definition should change to address unappointed seats. One member said it would be possible to redefine quorum to account for vacancies, but another said the county should fill vacancies and recommended leaving quorum language unchanged. The board voted to keep the quorum definition as is.
The meeting also included a detailed exchange about petition attachments and circulation. A member asked whether the affidavit attached for the petitioner was a required form; staff member Paul explained the attachment is used in the zoning hearing officer program and that the department routinely provides multiple documents and guidance to petitioners. Paul said the department could add a specific petition format to the rules if the board wanted the rules to permit rejecting petitions that do not follow that format. The board opted to adopt the rules now, with staff instructed to fix a reference in Attachment 1 (the label referencing a ZBA petition number) and to redistribute corrected copies to members.
Member Murphy moved to approve the revised rules; Member Moran seconded. The board approved the motion by voice vote with no opposition. Members were asked to retain copies for their files, and staff said they would bring corrected printed copies to a future meeting.
