Phoenix, Arizona
county boards of adjustment;
qualifications
Purpose
Allows members of county boards of adjustment to be residents of the incorporated areas of the county supervisorial district from which they are appointed.
Background
Statute requires appointees to county boards of adjustment to live in an unincorporated area of the county. According to the County Supervisors Association, several county supervisor districts throughout the state have most of their population living in incorporated areas and this change has been requested by Yuma County and is supported by all counties. In addition, granting flexibility for the appointments to a board would allow for greater selection of eligible candidates.
County boards of adjustment interpret zoning ordinances when the meaning of any word, phrase or section is in doubt, when there is dispute between the appellant and enforcing officer of when the location of a district boundaries in doubt. In addition, boards of adjustment can allow a variance from a zoning ordinance when a strict interpretation of the ordinance would work an unnecessary hardship or if in granting such variance the general intent purposes of the zoning ordinance will be preserved. Appeals can be made to an adjustment board by any person who feels that there is error or doubt in the interpretation of the ordinance or that due to unusual circumstances attaching to his property an unnecessary hardship is being inflicted on him.
This legislation has no determinable fiscal impact to the state general fund.
Provisions
1. Removes requirement that members of county boards of adjustment be residents of unincorporated areas of the county supervisorial district from which they are appointed.
2. Makes technical changes.
3. Provides for a general effective date.
House Action
CM 1/23/01 DP 10-0-0-0-0
3rd Read 2/6/01 57-0-3-0
Prepared by Senate Staff
March 15, 2001