City of Creston seeks new Board of Adjustment member

The City of Creston is seeking a new Board of Adjustment member.

The BOA is a volunteer board established to hear appeals of decisions made by zoning administrators, interpret unclear provisions in the zoning ordinance, and decide on a landowners’ applications to permit buildings or land uses that deviate from zoning regulations. The BOA has the power to grant variances and exceptions from the regulations contained in the city’s zoning ordinance.

It is impossible to write a one-size-fits-all zoning ordinance that is applied to all parcels of land. Therefore cities appoint a Board of Adjustment to alleviate cases of hardship created by zoning ordinances. This provides a venue for citizens to be heard when they disagree with how a zoning ordinances affect their property.

“The Board of Adjustment can make a recommendation to the council for a variance, and if the council agrees, the variance is granted. If they make a recommendation and the council disagrees, they can send it back to the Board of Adjustment for further review,” said Gabe Carroll, Creston mayor. “But ultimately, the Board of Adjustment has the final say.”

In Creston, the BOA is a five member board. It’s members are appointed by the city council at the mayor’s recommendation and serve staggered three year terms. Currently, the BOA includes Kelly Busch, Mike McLain, Alan Shaffer and Paul Vandevender. The open position expires July 1, 2021.

Those interested are asked to fill out a volunteer form on the City of Creston website, crestoniowa.gov.

For more information or questions, contact Lisa Williamson, Creston city clerk, at 641-782-2000 ext. 203.