The BZA is a five member independent board appointed by the Board of County Commissioners from each of the five County commission districts.
Meeting Schedule
The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) meets every second Wednesday of the month in Room 119, 18500 Murdock Circle, County Administration Center, Port Charlotte at 9:00 a.m.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Board of Zoning Appeals meetings include public hearings where they primarily consider and make decisions on three types of applications:
- Special Exceptions: The Board of Zoning Appeals may, based on competent substantial evidence, grant a Special Exception for a specific use in a given zoning district. Mainly, the requested special use must be listed as a "Special Exception" in the zoning district for the involved property, and not be detrimental to traffic, public welfare or public safety.
- Variances: A variance is a site-specific approval for the relaxation of a land development standard (setbacks, building heights, yards, parking requirements, etc.). To approve a variance, the Board of Zoning Appeals must have an affirmative finding for all five (5) criteria contained in the Zoning Code. Variances are far less common than special exceptions, since the criteria to obtain a variance is much more restrictive.
- Appeal from a Zoning Official Determination: From time to time, the Zoning Official issues determinations which are binding in nature, and provide guidelines for staff to follow in the implementation of the zoning code. Occasionally, an entity will disagree with a zoning official determination. That entity has the option to have a hearing before the Board of Zoning Appeals. The Board may, based on competent substantial evidence, affirm or reverse the zoning official determination.
Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) Filing Deadlines & Hearing Dates
Zoning Application Forms
Contact
Elizabeth Nocheck - Staff Liaison, Senior Planner
Phone: 941.764.4920
Email: Elizabeth.Nocheck@CharlotteCountyFL.gov
Members
- Turner Rouse - District 2
- Blair McVety - Chair, District 4
- Andrew Filieo - District 5
- Nichole Beyer - Secretary, District 3
- Stephen Vieira - Vice-Chair,- District 1