This article formalizes the powers and duties of the administrative officer, the planning commission, the board of appeals, the Lamar County Board of Commissioners, and other officials as may be appropriate where these regulations are concerned. It should also provide a convenient list of services provided by each official to aid in complying with these requirements.

(Ord. No. 2010-16, 11-16-10)

The administrative officer has the power and duty to provide the following services related to these regulations:

(a)

Provide initial information about these regulations upon request.

(b)

Advise how to contact members of the planning commission, the board of appeals, the Lamar County Board of Commissioners, or other officials as may be appropriate for services provided by those bodies or officials.

(c)

Maintain official map on public display.

(d)

Determine in which zoning district a parcel of land lies.

(e)

Issue building permits under procedures outlined in section 404 of these regulations.

(f)

Issue certificates of occupancy under procedures outlined in section 405 of these regulations.

(g)

Offer practical suggestions on how to comply with the requirements of these regulations.

(h)

Maintain complete records concerning these regulations and related matters, and make such records available to the public upon request.

(i)

Supervise all professional and clerical personnel employed in connection with the performance of the functions of the administrative officer.

(j)

Serve as administrative secretary to the planning commission and the board of appeals.

(k)

Issue certificates of zoning compliances for all permitted uses as well as for variances or other applicable procedures which are granted by the board of appeals.

(l)

Collect data and keep informed as to the best zoning practices, in order that he/she may be qualified to make recommendations to the planning commission and the Lamar County Board of Commissioners concerning amendments to these regulations.

(m)

Research and make reference to the zoning ordinance in connection with each and every application received for variance or other applicable procedures and to make written recommendations to the board of appeals on each such application as to whether:

(1)

The granting of such variance or other applicable procedures would result in an encroachment on existing land uses or zoning districts already established on adjoining or nearby neighborhood properties protected by the zoning ordinance from such adverse impact.

(2)

Sufficient authority exists in the zoning ordinance to allow the board of appeals to grant the variance or other applicable procedures.

(n)

Maintain all written recommendations to other officials of the county in the application file to which each pertains.

(o)

Set off-street parking requirements for certain land uses as necessary, according to procedures contained in the Lamar County Standard for Off-Street Parking and Service Facilities (Appendix I).

(p)

Implement any other policy as deemed necessary by the Lamar County Board of Commissioners under this ordinance.

(Ord. No. 2010-16, 11-16-10)

Appendix B details the establishment of the Lamar County Planning Commission. The planning commission has the power and duty to provide the following services related to these regulations:

(a)

Advise the Lamar County Board of Commissioners on applications for amendment to these regulations by examining amendment applications and providing written recommendations with reasons for the recommendations to the Lamar County Board of Commissioners as specified in section 410.

(b)

Dispense general information about these regulations to the public upon request.

(c)

Propose amendments to these regulations.

(d)

Maintain and update the Lamar County Land Use Plan so that it may provide a current data base with which decisions on proposed amendments to these regulations may be made that utilize sound planning principles.

(e)

Carry out an ongoing comprehensive planning program which, like the land use plan, will provide current data on which decisions regarding these regulations may be based utilizing sound planning principles.

(f)

Advise the Lamar County Board of Commissioners on matters of zoning and annexation, as appropriate.

(Ord. No. 2010-16, 11-16-10)

Appendix C (of these regulations) details the establishment of the board of appeals. The board of appeals has the power and duty to provide the following services:

(a)

Authorize variances according to procedures specified in section 407.

(b)

Accept applications for appeal of an action of the administrative officer or planning commission and render official decisions on them according to procedures specified in section 406.

(c)

Authorize special exceptions under procedures contained in section 409.

(d)

Accept applications for appeal of an action of the historic preservation commission and render official decisions on them.

(Ord. No. 2010-16, 11-16-10)

The Lamar County Board of Commissioners has the power and duty to provide the following services related to these regulations:

(a)

Accept applications for amendment of these regulations and render official decisions on them after referring them to the planning commission for review and recommendations, as specified in section 410.

(b)

Propose amendments to these regulations.

(Ord. No. 2010-16, 11-16-10)