Board of Appeals
What is the role of the Board of Appeals?
The Board of Appeals has the following powers and duties:
Administrative Review: To hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is error in any order, requirement, decision, or determination made by a staff member of the Planning and Development Department in the enforcement of the ordinance; and
Zoning Variances: Waivers from the Development Regulations; Conditions Governing Applications; Procedures. To authorize upon appeal in specific cases such variance from the terms of the Zoning Ordinance or waiver from the Development Regulations (in the manner set forth in Article 13 of the Development Regulations) as will not be contrary to the public interest where, owing to special conditions, a literal enforcement of the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance or Development Regulations would result in unnecessary hardship.
Appeals to the Board of Appeals concerning interpretation or administration of the Zoning Ordinance may be taken by any person aggrieved or by any officer or bureau of the governing body of the City affected by any decision of a staff member of the Planning and Development Department.
Appeals shall be filed with the Planning and Development Department within thirty (30) days of said decision by Planning and Development Department. The Planning and Development Director shall transmit to the Board all papers constituting the record upon which the action appealed from was taken. Appeals to the Board of Appeals concerning the interpretation or administration of the Development Regulations shall be administered in the manner set forth in Article 13 of the Development Regulations for the City of Snellville.
A variance from the terms of the Zoning Ordinance or waiver from the terms of the Development Regulations shall not be granted by the Board of Appeals unless and until: (a) A written application for a variance or waiver is submitted demonstrating:
1) That special conditions and circumstances exist which are peculiar to
the land, structure, or building involved and which are not applicable
to other land, structures, or buildings in the same district;
2) That literal interpretation of the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance or
Development Regulations would deprive the applicant of rights
commonly enjoyed by other properties in the same district under the
terms of the Zoning Ordinance or Development Regulations;
3) That the special conditions and circumstances do not result from the
actions of the applicant; and
4) That granting the variance or waiver requested will not confer on the
applicant any special privilege that is denied by the Zoning Ordinance
or Development Regulations to other lands, structures, or buildings in
the same district.
No nonconforming use of neighboring lands, structures, or buildings in the same district, and no permitted or nonconforming use of lands, shall be considered grounds for the issuance of a variance.
The Board of Appeals shall hear and act upon within 45 days of receipt and give public notice thereof. At the hearing, any party may appear in person or by agent or attorney. Recourse from the decisions of the Board of Appeals shall be to the courts as provided by law.
When and where do the Board of Appeals meet?
The Board of Appeals meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month (as necessary) at 7:30 pm in the Council Chambers of City Hall in accordance with the 2008 Meeting Schedule adopted by the Mayor and Council. Staff recommendations on each application are submitted to the Board in advance of the public hearing. Please see the Board of Appeals current Agendas section for current meeting, cancellation or postponement notices.
Who are the Board of Appeal members?
The Board of Appeals is comprised of six volunteer Snellville citizens, each appointed by the Mayor and Council to a two-year term beginning July 1st. A listing of current Board of Appeal members and email addresses is provided below.
How may I contact the Board of Appeal members?
Board of Appeal members may be contacted individually by email using the email addresses provided above, or you may send written correspondance by mail to:
Ms. Marcy Pharris, Chairwoman
Mr. Sid Parrott, Vice-Chairman
Snellville Board of Appeals
City of Snellville
2342 Oak Road
Snellville, Georgia 30078
I would like to attend the next scheduled Board of Appeals public hearing. When is it and what cases will be heard?
To see when the next Board of Appeals public hearing will be and to read about the case(s) that will be heard at the public hearing, please visit the Agendas page for a current meeting agenda and review of application(s), staff report(s), and map(s).
Where can I read the minutes to previous Board of Appeal public hearings?
You may visit the Board of Appeals Public Hearing Minutes page to view and print previous meeting minutes. You may also search the Board of Appeals Archive of Public Hearing Minutes for minutes not posted on the website.
I want to apply for a variance to the Zoning Ordinance, how do I do this?
Please visit our Variance section of the website for additional information and applications. When considering to submit a Variance Application, you will be required to demonstrate:
1) That special conditions and circumstances exist which are peculiar to
the land, structure, or building involved and which are not applicable
to other land, structures, or buildings in the same district;
2) That literal interpretation of the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance or
Development Regulations would deprive the applicant of rights
commonly enjoyed by other properties in the same district under the
terms of the Zoning Ordinance or Development Regulations;
3) That the special conditions and circumstances do not result from the
actions of the applicant; and
4) That granting the variance or waiver requested will not confer on the
applicant any special privilege that is denied by the Zoning Ordinance
or Development Regulations to other lands, structures, or buildings in
the same district.
I want to build a similar structure that my nextdoor neighbor built over ten-years ago, but understand that it is considered a "nonconforming structure". Will the Board rule in my favor and allow me to obtain a Building Permit?
No nonconforming use of neighboring lands, structures, or buildings in the same district, and no permitted or nonconforming use of lands, shall be considered grounds for the issuance of a variance.
I am interested in becoming a volunteer Board of Appeals member. Who do I notify and how can I be appointed? An Application for Board Appointment has been developed to identify and qualify eligible Snellville citizens who wish to volunteer their time and service to the City of Snellville and the Mayor and Council. Please mail your completed application to:
Russell G. Treadway
City Manager
CITY OF SNELLVILLE
City of Snellville
2342 Oak Road
Snellville, GA 30078
Want to learn more about the Snellville Board of Appeals?
If you are interested in learning more about the Board of Appeals, please contact Acting Planning & Development Director, Jason Thompson at (770) 985-3518 or jthompson@snellville.org.