Zoning Hearing Board

Overview

The primary purpose of the Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB) is to help assure fair and equitable application and administration of the zoning ordinance by hearing appeals on the zoning officer’s determinations and by granting relief from the literal enforcement of the ordinance in certain hardship situations. The Zoning Hearing Board is a quasi-judicial body; that is, its powers are to some extent judicial in nature and its decisions are not subject to the approval of the Supervisors. The 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. A ZHB must limit its scope of activities to those permitted by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) and by the Schuylkill Township Zoning Ordinance.

The ZHB is composed of five volunteer residents of the Township appointed by the Board of Supervisors. To apply for an open position on the ZHB, please fill out our Volunteer Application and send it with a letter of interest to the Township Manager. If you are applying for a specific and currently open position, you will be notified by the Township Manager’s Office following the application deadline whether you are being considered by the applicable entity. If you are submitting an application to be considered in the future as openings occur, you will be contacted by Township staff when the vacancy is announced in order to confirm your interest in this specific opportunity.

For more information on zoning and zoning appeals, see the Building and Zoning section of this site.

Code

• Establishment and Purpose
• Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code