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• ♦,WIXYK�u AWi ' I <br /> _ . p. <br /> assure the opportunity for full and open discussion of <br /> ,� ° <br /> proposed zoning decisions.These requirements go well . <br /> beyond what is required for most other city and county x>�. ' ir <br /> ordinances. >� `< ad r x : <br /> This article distinguishes the two main types of zon- . 1 <br /> ing hearings and lays out the ground rules for how each f <br /> • should be conducted.' .` <br /> Types of Zoning Decisions <br /> Local governments are called upon to make myriad '' ° " <br /> zoning decisions,ranging from a planning board's deci- <br /> sion to recommend adoption of an initial zoning ordi- °• °" <br /> nance to a zoning enforcement officer's decision to issue ; * * - <br /> a notice of violation when the terms of the ordinance `',, 9 <br /> have not been followed. 44 a" t <br /> Two types of zoning decisions—legislative and quasi- <br /> .* judicial2—require formal public hearings. In 1991 developers petitioned the Greensboro city council to rezone <br /> '/ the property shown above and Grant a conditional-use permit to allow <br /> • Legislative zoning decisions affect the entire commu- the building of a large entertainment complex,Celebration Station, <br /> pity by setting general policies applicable through the on land adjacent to I-40 previously zoned for institutional use.The <br /> zoning ordinance. They include decisions to adopt, zoning board denied the petition,but the city council approved the <br /> amend,or repeal the zoning ordinance(including the project on appeal. <br /> zoning map). In 1992 the Raleigh city zoning board ordered the Neuse Baptist <br /> • Quasi-judicial decisions involve the application of zon- Church to remove a large flag flying in front of the church building <br /> ing policies already established in the ordinance to (shown here with pastor,M.L.Walters,Jr.)because it violated an or- <br /> individ»al situations—for example,variances,special- dinance controlling commercial flap.The church appealed,and even- <br /> and conditional-use permits (even if issued by the tnally the City council amended the zoning ordinance to allow the flag. <br /> governing mir board),appeals, <br /> and interpretations.Quasi- <br /> r ::> : :::<:« :: :: <:> <::::N »:::>::> ::::<: >::>:_::':;:: ::::>':::::::>:_>:: <br /> ii �:�lFiiii<zi ?iiiik{i?ii iii:'>>i'2 ii•ii>';trii'i;; <br /> judicial decisions involve two key elements: the <br /> <t'< iiii iii;:is:i`<i>:ii'- iiii:..:::::::.::•:::::.�.•:::II:i::::.,.:::::::._:.:::iii.,.....ggi:....:;::: <br /> Y <br /> finding din of facts regarding rain the e s P <br /> P proposal r <br /> 0 oralandth <br /> the <br /> iii-giirii;iii:iii ii i <br /> exercise of some discretion in applying redetermin ry°ai:>i< :::.:.:::::. .:>::::::::. <br /> P predetermined : :.�: : > <br /> policies es to the si <br /> tuation. <br /> ..........................:...:.:::.: <br /> Advisory zoning decisions,s, <br /> such as review of a rezonin g ? ? . . : . . ., .»::.iiii:iii3 4 <br /> Petition t <br /> on b <br /> a county <br /> Planning board, <br /> do <br /> not require a for- <br /> `i <br /> mal hearing.Nord <br /> do a dministrative decisions <br /> ; i ;: i? <br /> > : tis'i3.:ii.i}ii:i:ti£ii`iiiii <br /> c <br /> such as staff <br /> €�.�> :i:<': <�>`:ii>iii>iii:aii:>:<iii<iii�ii�i=>:>: <br /> :i i<i>ii>;:iiiiii:ii:::ii iii<::iii<:i:i::i�>::>::i><iii;><i <br /> <:iii<:iiii::i i::<:i;:iii:;<i: >:ii>as>~a:>i<:>i:a :: iaaa::::::<:>»> <br /> issuance of events for i<>:<ii<ii:;i::«::iii;<ii:;;i:>ix;:isi:isi:>is?: <::<:>:: >:isi:>:::::::::.:::::::::::....>:<........................................, <br /> p r permitted uses,initial ordinance <br /> <.i <br /> i <br /> ::::::::.�::�:�:.<.::.:: isisi::is ii:<:::::;::�iiiiiii<>::: . <br /> interpretations, .. <br /> ::.<.>:.;:.:::..:.:;<.:.,:::... <br /> to r <br /> etations and initiation s?'= i i <............ ..... .. ::.::::..�:..:.:..::::::::.�. ..:�:::::: <br /> rp nitiahon of enforcement actions. r:..�.,.,i��,,...::,.i:<.:<.;:. .. <br /> • q>7°0'��� •' nx<at?.•:i•;•:•i... iaai:a:::: ia'•::'•iSaii;i <br /> Types of Proceedings <br /> Y <br /> Government uses two different types of proceedings ,,,,, <br /> to formally obtain comment on proposed zoning deci- <br /> sions:legislative hearings and evidentiary hearings.Legis- <br /> lative hearings are sessions inanda'ted by statute or <br /> . <br /> ordinance to secure citizens' comments on a specific ,,-:.:w <br /> policy proposal.Legislative hearings must be conducted <br /> olic N: <br /> in a fair,orderly manner so as to allow citizen opinion to �> "'. '•be expressed directly to those making zoning policy de- �` ` <br /> cisions. Evidentiary hearings are an even more formal t <br /> < � �ay� ..,_of <br /> means of gathering evidence before a decision is made . ;-, . f- hx.< :• <br /> POPULAR GOVERNMENT Spring 1993 27 <br />