Lancaster County Board of Zoning Appeals elects Charles Deese chair and unanimously adopts revised rules of procedure

Charles Deese was elected chair of the Lancaster County Board of Zoning Appeals during the board's regular meeting as members also unanimously adopted revised rules of procedure meant to align the board with recent changes to the Lancaster County code. The board approved its agenda and minutes and voted to elect Jay Falconberry as vice chair in absentia.

The revisions to the rules of procedure were presented by Miss Harden, a county staff member, who said the edits were primarily to align the board’s procedures with recent changes in county ordinances and applicable state law. Harden summarized the recommended changes as "very few substantial changes," and said the updates explicitly address electronic meetings, agenda requirements, and who may vote on previously recorded minutes.

The staff revisions cite the county code and referenced recent amendments to the county ordinances. Harden told the board the draft ties the board procedures to those ordinance changes and the state code and that copies of the ordinances and state law would be provided to members on request.

Board members raised one minor wording edit to Article 3, Section 5, about continuances and deferrals. A member moved to change the language so the section reads that a continuance or deferral "will be heard at the next regularly scheduled meeting, and 1 and only 1 such deferral or continuance will be allowed." The board incorporated that change into the motion to adopt the rules.

Votes at a glance - Motion to approve the meeting agenda: approved (unanimous). - Motion to approve minutes of the June 3, 2025 BZA meeting as written: approved (unanimous). - Election of Charles Deese as chair: approved by show of hands (unanimous); Deese accepted the office. - Election of Jay Falconberry as vice chair (voted in absentia): approved by unanimous show of hands; board noted a new vote would be required if Falconberry later declines. - Motion to adopt the Board of Zoning Appeals Rules and Procedures (as amended): approved (unanimous).

During discussion on membership and term limits, board members and staff clarified how the board's recent reconstitution affects appointments. Harden and others described that the county restructured BZA membership from seven to five members, shifted appointment composition away from strict district representation to three identified geographic areas (referred to in the meeting as the Panhandle, the Greater, and the Southern Lancaster areas), and added two positions that must have professional experience. Clerk of Counsel Sherry Simpson was identified as the official responsible for tracking staggered terms and notifying members when terms expire.

Administrative items and upcoming meetings Staff announced one variance case has been submitted for next month's BZA hearing. Staff also said the county’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) rewrite has reached the administrative processes section and that two stakeholder meetings are scheduled for July 16 and July 30 at midday; invitations and materials will be emailed to board members and attendees. Harden said the stakeholder meetings typically bring 12 to 16 participants and that lunch will be provided. The board was also told the county is interviewing for an administrative assistant and expects to hire by July.

The meeting adjourned after unanimous votes on the listed items.