This article formalizes the powers and duties of the zoning administrator, the planning commission, the board of appeals, the board of commissioners, and other officials as may be appropriate where this ordinance is concerned. It should also provide a convenient list of services provided by each official to aid in complying with the requirements of this ordinance.

The zoning administrator, or his designee, has the power and duty to provide the following services related to this ordinance:

A.

Provide initial information about this ordinance upon request.

B.

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

C.

Maintain [the] official map on public display.

D.

Determine in which zoning district a parcel of land lies.

E.

Issue certificates of occupancy under procedures outlined in section 409 of this ordinance.

F.

Offer practical suggestions on how to comply with the requirements of this ordinance.

G.

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

H.

Supervise all professional and clerical personnel employed in connection with the performance of the functions of the zoning administrator.

I.

Serve as liaison to the planning commission and the board of commissioners.

J.

Issue certificates of zoning compliance for all permitted uses as well as for variances or other applicable procedures which are granted by the planning and zoning commission.

K.

Collect data and keep informed as to the best zoning practices, in order that he may be qualified to make recommendations to the planning and zoning commission and the board of commissioners concerning amendments to this ordinance.

L.

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 planning and zoning commission 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 planning and zoning commission to grant the variance or other applicable procedures.

M.

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

N.

Set off-street parking requirements for certain land uses as necessary, according to procedures contained in the Screven County Standard for Off-Street Parking and Service Facilities (appendix B [to this appendix]).

The building official has the power and duty to provide the following services related to this ordinance:

A.

Issue and, when necessary, revoke building permits under the procedures outlined in section 408 of this ordinance.

B.

Maintain complete records concerning building permits, and make such records available to the public upon request.

C.

Supervise all professional and clerical personnel employed in connection with the performance of the functions of the building official.

The planning and zoning commission has the power and duty to provide the following services related to this ordinance:

A.

Advise the board of commissioners on applications for amendment to this ordinance by examining amendment applications and providing written recommendations to the board of commissioners as specified in section 414.

B.

Propose amendments to this ordinance.

C.

Maintain and update the Screven County Comprehensive Plan so that it may provide a current data base with which decisions on proposed amendments to this ordinance may be made that utilize sound planning principles.

D.

Carry out an ongoing comprehensive planning program which, like the land use plan (where one exists), will provide current data on which decisions regarding this ordinance may be based that utilize sound planning principles.

E.

Advise the board of commissioners on matters of zoning.

F.

Authorize variances according to procedures specified in section 411.

The board of commissioners have [has] the power and duty to provide the following services related to this ordinance:

A.

Accept applications for amendment of this ordinance and render official decisions on them after referring them to the planning commission for review and recommendations as specified in section 414.

B.

Propose amendments to this ordinance.

C.

Hear appeals to the actions of the zoning administrator, the planning and zoning commission and render official decisions on them according to procedures specified in section 410.

D.

Any other powers and duties as may be conferred by this ordinance or any other ordinances or laws.