Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) consists of 5 electors of the Township appointed by the Township Board. The ZBA was created to hear and decide questions that arise in the administration of the zoning ordinance and zoning map. It is also the job of the ZBA to hear and decide appeals of administrative decisions or decisions by the Township Board or Planning Commission in the enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance.

The ZBA cannot change zoning. The ZBA is also empowered to grant permission for special exceptions, exceptional uses, conditional uses, etc. upon certain findings and subject to specific requirements.

Before deciding on a request or application, the ZBA must conduct a public hearing. Notice of such hearing is given to each property owner within three hundred feet of the property in question and to the applicant. At the time of the hearing, the applicant or representative is called upon to give reasons and/or evidence that will permit the ZBA to grant the request or appeal. Any interested person who is present is then given an opportunity to speak in rebuttal, or may be called upon to answer questions by the ZBA members. After the hearing is closed, the ZBA takes each application under advisement.

Decisions are usually made following all the public hearings scheduled for that meeting. The applicant is notified in writing after a decision is made and the findings and determinations are drafted in final form by the Township office.

Applications for variances must be filed at least 21 days prior to the meeting at which the applicant seeks to have a hearing. All applications filed after the specified deadline will be scheduled for hearing at a subsequent meeting. It is important that the applicant or a representative be present at the meeting. Meetings are held in the Port Sheldon Township Hall, 16201 Port Sheldon Road, West Olive MI.

The decision of the ZBA shall not be final until the expiration of 30 days after said decision.