Board of Adjustment rules changing

The City Council Audit and Finance Committee on Monday recommended amending the Board of Adjustment rules, which will have the effect of reducing the number of board members needed to approve a zoning variance or special exception, or to reverse an administrative decision on appeal when one or more members of the committee have recused themselves or there are vacancies on the board. The board currently has 12 members, including one serving as an alternate. The board needs nine members to grant a variance or special exception or to overturn an administrative decision, according to Assistant City Attorney David Sorola. An absence does not count against the number of members needed to approve a variance, Sorola said. He explained that changing the board’s bylaws was necessary to conform with state law, including judicial precedents. The item will be on Thursday’s Council agenda, according to Boards and Commissions Coordinator Deena Estrada-Salinas.