Zoning Hearing Board

The Zoning Hearing Board is a three-member board appointed by the Board of Commissioners, along with an alternate member. The alternate member is utilized to fill in should a member not be available to attend a meeting or there is a conflict of interest. The term of office for each member is three years.

The Zoning Hearing Board also has a solicitor. The solicitor is appointed by the Upper Gwynedd Township Zoning Hearing Board.

The primary purpose of the Zoning Hearing Board is to help assure fair and equitable application and administration of the zoning ordinance by hearing appeals on the Zoning Officers' decisions and by granting relief from the literal enforcement of the ordinance in certain hardship situations. The Board has no legislative power; it can neither make nor modify zoning policy. It does not have enforcement powers. It is a quasi-judicial body in that its powers are to some extent judicial in nature. The Zoning Hearing Board schedules hearings on applications and appeals that come before it, takes evidence, and issues written decisions with findings of fact and conclusions of law. The Board's scope of activities is limited to those permitted by the Municipalities Planning Code and the Upper Gwynedd Township Zoning Ordinance. The Zoning Hearing Board meets the fourth Tuesday of each month unless a holiday conflict necessitates a different date.  Meeting agendas are a function of new or continued appeals and the need for timely hearings as required by State Statute.