July, 1980 |
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LWV Puts Prosecutors on TV President's Message (Barbara Farwell) LIVE on TV! League in Action! Cromwell and the Year of the Coast (Kiyoko Nitz) Items Happenings at Honolulu Hale First Unit Meetings of the Year! State League Presents... What Makes the City Run? (Astrid Monson) Transit Coalition (Dorothy Lum) Do You Like Money? Let's Be Candid... This is a Pitch (Claire Gregorcyk) Act of Congress Calendar Membership Make Your Vote Count |
What Makes the City Run?WHAT CAN JERRY HESS AND THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS DO? You don't like the way your block is zoned? The Building Department won't give you a permit to build what you want? You'd like to put a second house on your lot? You've already built something and you don't want to tear it down? AHA! Jerry Hess has just been elected Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). You can appeal to her to give you a variance. Right? WRONG! Many people think the ZBA can let you legally violate the zoning ordinance. Though it may sometimes seem like that, actually the ZBA's powers are very limited and strictly spelled out in the City Charter (sec. 6-10009).
Usually variances are supposed to be granted in cases of unusual terrain, odd-shaped lots, lot dimensions slightly less than required, and similar situations. If what is requested is actually a change in zoning, the ZBA cannot grant it. This is a legislative matter and has to follow the usual path via the Planning Commission and the City Council. GOOD LUCK, JERRY! Astrid Monson |
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