Board of Variance
[This information has been supplied for information purposes only.]
All communities that have adopted a zoning bylaw are required, by the Local Government Act, to establish a Board of Variance. The Board of Variance for Grand Forks is to consist of three members – one member appointed by Council, one member appointed by the minister and one member appointed by the two other appointees.
The purpose of the Board of Variance is to provide an avenue for a minor variance or exemption to individuals who deem that compliance with certain aspect of a bylaw regulating property usage creates a hardship. An applicant applying for a variance to the Board of Variance must first apply to the City of Grand Forks for a variance, if it is in relation to a matter for which the City and the Board of Variance have overlapping authority to issue the variance.
BOARD OF VARIANCE PROCESS
Should an individual determine that compliance with an aspect of a property regulation bylaw would cause hardship, that person may apply to the Board of Variance for a minor variance from the requirements of the Bylaw.
Upon receiving an application, the Board of Variance must notify all surrounding property owners, stating the subject matter of the application and the time and place where the application will be heard. The Board of Variance then considers the matter at the hearing, along with any input from affected property owners, and makes a decision either granting or denying the requested variance.
There are limits on the extent of variances the Board of Variance may grant. For further information contact the City.
