The Orange Zoning Board of Adjustments will now have five citizen members instead of seven. City Council Tuesday approved on final reading changes for the board that hears requests for exceptions on zoning rules.
The changes were made at the request of the city staff. City Council appoints citizens to the board.
Planning Director Kelvin Knauf, who oversees zoning and adjustments, said the Texas Local Government Code requires 75 percent of a board of adjustments be present to hear a variance request. With a seven-member board, the percentage means six members must attend a variance hearing.
The state code also allows a city to have a five-member board, which would mean four would need to attend to have 75 percent. With five members, the board “stands a much greater chance of having 75 percent,” Knauf told council members.
The changes for the Zoning Board of Adjustments also eliminate the rule for the board to meet once a year plus meet once a year with City Council.
Also, if an adjustments application is denied by the board, “the same or substantially similar application” cannot be heard again until 12 months have passed.”
The council also re-appointed Edward Frieberg, Jim Bean and Ryan Crowell to the board of adjustments for terms to end December 2018. Dorothy Brandon was re-appointed to her term, which will end December 2017. Mark Frey was appointed to serve a term that will end December 2017.
In other business, Wendy Elliott was appointed to the Convention and Visitors Advisory Board for a two-year term.
Residents of Orange may apply to serve on any of several boards. Applications are available at city hall. Applicants are reviewed by City Council. The council appoints people to the boards. A list of boards and vacancies is available on the city’s website.
At the end of the meeting, City Manager Dr. Shawn Oubre informed the council that Chad Wolf, the son of Public Works Director Jim Wolf, has been appointed to a position in the Department of Homeland Security under the new Trump administration.
At-Large Councilor Larry Spears Jr. introduced Bianca Garrett of the “Make It Happen” group and commended her for getting people involved in community events.
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