Zoning Hearing Board

The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247 of 1968 and subsequent amendments) requires that any community which administers and enforces a zoning ordinance have a Zoning Hearing Board in place. The primary purpose of the Zoning Hearing Board is to help assure fair and equitable application and administration of the zoning ordinance by hearing appeals from the Zoning Officer’s interpretation of the ordinance and hearing requests from residents and property owners for variances and special exceptions. Where they feel justified, the Zoning Hearing Board may grant relief from the literal enforcement of the zoning ordinance where they feel the applicant has met his burden of proof to show that the literal interpretation of the ordinance creates a true hardship on the property owner. The decision of the Zoning Hearing Board is binding on all parties involved and can only be appealed to Common Pleas Court.

Since the Zoning Hearing Board is a quasi-judicial body, all Zoning Hearing Board meetings are conducted in a professional manner with a Solicitor present to advise the Board and a court reporter present to make a stenographic record of the proceedings.

The Plum Borough Zoning Hearing Board is a five member volunteer board which is appointed by Borough Council. Each member serves a term of five years which are staggered so that the term of no more than one (1) member expires in any given year. All terms expire on December 31^st of the year. Zoning Hearing Board appointments are made by Borough Council every January. Any resident of the Borough who is 18 years or older is eligible to be a member of the Zoning Hearing Board. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Zoning Hearing Board you should attend a Zoning Hearing Board meeting to experience how a meeting is conducted and decide if you are interested. If you are interested, send a detailed resume and cover letter expressing your interest and qualifications for the position. This letter should be sent to the Plum Borough Manager by December 15^th in order to be considered for an appointment.

Current members of the Zoning Hearing Board

Salvatore Tresco, Chairman

Steve Harrity, Vice-Chairman

Michelle Chapkis

Ruth Grant

Alan Vento

All Zoning Hearing Board meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month. Special meetings will be advertised and announced as necessary. The meetings are held in the Council Chambers of the Plum Borough Municipal Building.

Meeting Dates and Deadlines

All applications are due by 5:00 P.M. on the above stated deadlines to be placed on the agenda for the meeting desired.

Required Documentation - All must be submitted prior to application deadline or request will not be placed on the Zoning Hearing Board Agenda.

• Completed application form.
• $250.00 residential application fee -- Made payable to "The Borough of Plum"
• $400.00 non-residential application fee -- Made payable to "The Borough of Plum" for the first request and $50.00 for each additional request.
• Seven copies of property survey or site plan showing all current and proposed structures.
• Seven copies of proposed construction plans.

All applicants, or a representative of the applicant, must be present at the Zoning Hearing Board meeting to present their request.

All meetings start ad 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Plum Borough Municipal Building unless otherwise notified.

Permits

• Zoning Heading Board Application