New Bern, NC

The Board of Adjustment shall consist of 7 regular members and 2 alternate members.  Six regular members and the two alternates are appointed by the Board of Aldermen must reside within the city.  One regular member is appointed by the Craven County Board of Commissioners and must reside within the city's extraterritorial planning area. If the Craven County Board of Commissioners fails to make an appointment within 90 days after receiving a notification from the city requesting that an appointment be made, the Board of Aldermen may make the appointment.  Members may be removed by the appointing authority at any time for failure to attend three consecutive meetings without excuse or for missing more than 30 percent of the meetings within any 12-month period or for other good cause related to performance of duties. Because the Board of Adjustment is a “quasi-judicial” administrative body that operates between the enforcement officers and the courts, members shall have the ability to read and understand complex land ownership and development issues. Members should have backgrounds related to land ownership and development issues (i.e., law, real estate, banking, building, environmental groups, governmental agencies, community organizations, etc.).

Board of Adjustment members shall be appointed for three-year staggered terms, but members may continue to serve until their successors have been appointed.  Vacancies may be filled for the unexpired terms only.  Membership appointments shall be limited to two successive terms for regular members and two successive terms for alternate members.  All regular members may participate in and vote on all issues before the board. Alternate members shall only serve in the absence of regular members.

The Board of Adjustment shall hear and decide:  (1) appeals from any order, decision, requirement, or interpretation made by the zoning administrator; (2) applications for special use permits; (3) applications for variances; (4) questions involving interpretations of the zoning map, including disputed district boundary lines and lot lines; and (5) any other matter the board is required to act upon by any other city ordinance.  The Board may adopt rules and regulations governing its procedures and operations not inconsistent with the provisions of this ordinance.

The Board meets at 5:30 p.m. on the last Monday of each month, unless the date is changed due to an observed holiday.  The meetings are held in City Hall, 300 Pollock Street, in the courtroom on the second floor.

Want to Serve?

Want to serve on the Board of Adjustment? Complete and submit this short form and the City Clerk will contact you when an opening occurs.

Current Roster