Board of Zoning Appeals

The Board of Zoning Appeals is composed of five members, one of which is appointed as of August 31 of each year by the Circuit Court for a five year term. By tradition, members of the Board are nominated by the Town Council.

The Board of Zoning Appeals has the authority to consider variance requests and appeals from decisions, interpretations and actions of the Zoning Administrator as outlined in Section 18.1-1402 of the Town Code and Section 15.2-2308 of the Code of Virginia.

Meetings are held on an on call basis depending upon applications received. Meetings are normally held in the Town Hall.

Board of Zoning Appeals Minutes

BZA Chairman Gary E. Mays
108 Depot Street
P. O. Box 124
Amherst, VA 24521		 H: 946-7318
BZA Member William Webster Diggs
100 First Street
P. O. Box 638
Amherst, VA 24521		 H: 946-7056
BZA Member

Marvin Hensley

280 Blue Ridge Lane

Amherst, VA 24521

 H: 946-2617
BZA Member Teresa Patton Tatlock
164 Sunset Drive
Amherst, VA 24521 		 H: 946-9522
B: 200-4818
 
BZA Member William K. Iseman
504 N. Main Street
P.O. Box 185
Amherst, VA 24521		 H: 946-5202

TOWN OF AMHERST BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS BY-LAWS
(Originally adopted June 11, 1996; amended to reflect changes in state Town codes)

ARTICLE 1 - OBJECTIVES
This Board has been established in accordance with Section 15.2-2308 of the Code of Virginia and Section 18.1-1402 of the Code of the Town of Amherst. The provisions of these by-laws are intended to facilitate the powers and the duties of the Board in accordance with these statutes.

ARTICLE 2 - APPLICATIONS
All applications for decisions by the Board shall be transmitted to the Secretary and shall include, as a minimum:

A. Cover letter
B. Signed application on a form provided by the Secretary
C. Site plan or other appropriate drawings
D. Application fee required by law (See Section 18.1-1009 of the Town Code)

Upon receiving a full application, the Secretary immediately report same to the Chairman who shall have the authority to set a public hearing date and authorize the required advertisement.

Applicants shall be advised that several weeks are normally required between application and decision by the Board. This is due to the public notice requirements for hearings by the Board as contained in Section 15.2-2204 of the Code of Virginia, arranging the meeting of the Board, and requests for additional information not available at the hearing. The Code of Virginia requires action by the Board within 90 days of receipt of the application.

ARTICLE 3 - MEETINGS
Meetings shall be called at the request of the Chairman or a quorum of the Board's membership. Written notice stating time and place of meetings shall be given to each member prior to the meeting.

The order of business for a meeting shall be as follows:

1. Call to Order by Chairman
2. Determination of quorum
3. Confirmation of minutes of previous meeting
4. Public Hearings
A. Report by Secretary
B. Statements by Applicant
C. Statements by other interested parties
D. Questions from Board Members
5. Unfinished Business
6. New Business
7. Adjournment

ARTICLE 4 - RULES
These by-laws shall remain in full force and effect unless changed by a vote of the full membership of the Board of Zoning Appeals.