The Zoning Board of Adjustment is a quasi-judicial body authorized under state law and city regulations to uphold the meaning and spirit of the zoning ordinance and to provide relief from strict adherence to certain development regulations.  The Board is charged with hearing three different type of cases: Zoning Variances, Special Exceptions, and Appeals.  Decisions of the board are not subject to review by City Council and are the final city step for an applicant; further action is to a court of law if an applicant so chooses. 

Under Texas laws, the board cannot consider use regulations or change an ordinance regulation; laws limit the actions of the board based on the type of case.

Variances to regulations are considered when an applicant has demonstrated unique circumstances related to a site; when a variance is granted, it changes the way an existing ordinance is applied to the property.

Special Exceptions allow a single-family residence to be built or added onto in accordance with pre-annexation setback lines; when granted it allows the applicant to build to an older, less restrictive line established through deed restrictions rather than the current line established in the zoning regulations.

An appeal may occur when a staff member has made a decision regarding a regulation and the applicant believes the interpretation or application of the standard was done incorrectly.  If an applicant prevails in such a case, the board interpretation becomes the new standard and supplants the previous one.

The board meets as-needed based on case submittal.  Meetings begin at 5:00 p.m. and generally last thirty minutes to an hour.  Before each meeting, city staff provides each board member with an information packet which will take about a half hour to review in preparation for the meeting.  A member can expect to attend on average about ten meetings a year, subject to change depending on the caseload.

The board is required to attend a two-hour annual orientation generally held during the month of October or November.