The zoning administrator of the City of Greensboro and other persons designated by the city council, are hereby given the authority and responsibility to act as the code enforcement officer for the City of Greensboro and to administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter. The zoning administrator shall have no authority to take final action on applications or matters involving amendments to the zoning map, variances, nonconforming uses, or other exceptions which this chapter has reserved for public hearings. The zoning administrator shall keep records of all and any permits, the certificates of occupancy issued, and all submitted subdivision plats, with notations of all special conditions involved. The zoning administrator shall file and safely keep copies of all sketches and plans submitted, and the same shall form a part of the records of zoning administrator's office and shall be made as public records.

(Zoning Ord. 2007, § 13.1)

Any person violating any provisions of the chapter shall be prosecuted in the municipal court of the City of Greensboro, and shall upon conviction thereof be subject to a fine not to exceed $1,000.00. Each day such a violation continues shall be considered as a separate offense.

(Zoning Ord. 2007, § 13.2)

In the event any building is erected, constructed, altered, repaired, converted or maintained, or any building or land is used in violation of this chapter, the zoning administrator of the City of Greensboro is authorized and required to institute injunction, mandamus, warrant for arrest, or other appropriate action or proceeding to prevent or abate the violation in the case of each building or land use. The zoning administrator is the zoning enforcement officer. Any person who would be damaged by such violation may also institute action to prevent or abate the violation.

(Zoning Ord. 2007, § 13.3)

(a)

The Georgia Planning Act of 1989 authorized the department of community affairs to establish procedures for regional review of development projects that are of sufficient size that they are likely to create impacts beyond the jurisdiction in which the project will be located. The developments of regional impact (DRI) review process involves the host local government, the reviewing regional development center (RDC), and other potentially affected local governments, RDCs and agencies.

(b)

Thresholds are used to determine whether a proposed development is a DRI. Because positive and negative impacts of DRIs are not necessarily confined to the host local governments' jurisdictional boundaries, impacts on other jurisdictions need to be assessed.

(c)

If a development project is submitted to the City of Greensboro planning commission or the city council for review, then the time deadlines are suspended until the DRI review process is completed.

(Zoning Ord. 2007, § 13.4)

Any person or persons, jointly or severally aggrieved by any decision (including the failure to decide within 30 days upon submission of all documents required by this chapter) of the building inspector, shall have the right of appeal in writing to the city clerk for the purpose of a hearing by the city attorney for an interpretation of pertinent ordinance provisions. In exercising the power of interpretation, the city attorney may, in conformity with the provisions of this chapter, reverse or affirm any order, requirement, decision, or determination made by the building inspector.

(1)

Public hearings. The city attorney shall fix a reasonable time for the hearing of the appeal or other matters referred to it, and give public notice thereof in a newspaper of general circulation in Greene County, at least 15 and no more than 45 days before the hearing. Upon a hearing, all parties shall appear in person, by agent or by attorney.

(2)

Appeal from the city attorney's decision. Any person or persons, jointly or severally aggrieved by any decision of the city attorney may appeal to a court of record as provided by law, if such appeal is filed with the clerk of the court within 30 days of the rendering of the decision by the city attorney.

(3)

Stay of proceedings. An appeal to the court of record stays all proceedings in furtherance of the action appealed from, unless the building inspector certifies to the city attorney after the notice of appeal shall have been filed with him, that by reason of facts stated in the certificate, a stay would, in his opinion, cause imminent peril to life and property.

(Zoning Ord. 2007, § 13.5)

(a)

Creation of the architectural approval board. The title of the board shall be the "Greensboro Architectural Approval Board." Board members shall be appointed by the mayor and council, and will have authority in guiding design restrictions and development.

(b)

Board position within the City of Greensboro government. The Greensboro Architectural Approval Board shall be considered a part of the planning functions of the City of Greensboro.

(c)

Statement of the board's powers. The Greensboro Architectural Approval Board shall be authorized to:

(1)

Review applications for building or development permits, and recommend same in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and the procedures related thereto.

(2)

Recommend to the local governing body specific actions to preserve and improve the integrity, aesthetics and safety of the CO and OR districts or such other districts as may be added to or become subject to review by the board, from time to time.

(3)

Review applications for building or development permits, and recommend same in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and the procedures related thereto.

(d)

Board's power to adopt rules of procedure. The board may adopt rules for the transaction of its business and consideration of applications provided the same are in compliance with state and local law; shall provide for the time and place of regular meetings, and for the calling of special meetings. The board shall have the flexibility to adopt rules of procedure without amendment to this chapter. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the members. The latest edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall determine the order of business at all meetings.

(e)

Records of boards meetings. A public record shall be kept of the board's resolutions, proceedings, and actions.

(Zoning Ord. 2007, § 13.6; Ord. No. 2015-004, § 2, 6-15-2015)