Consideration of Request For a Zoning Ordinance Hearing
Zoning Board Hearing Requirements for Variances in Hollidaysburg, PA
The Borough of Hollidaysburg outlines the criteria and procedures for requesting a variance from its Zoning Ordinance. A variance may be granted if the current zoning rules cause unnecessary hardship due to unique physical conditions of the property — such as irregular lot shape, narrowness, or topography — that are not self-created by the applicant.
Key Criteria for Granting a Variance (Section 1)
The Zoning Board must find all of the following apply:
- Unique physical conditions exist on the property (e.g., unusual size, shape, or terrain) that make strict compliance with zoning impossible.
- These conditions cause unnecessary hardship, and the hardship was not created by the applicant.
- The property cannot be reasonably developed under current zoning rules without a variance.
- Approving the variance will not change the neighborhood’s character or harm adjacent properties or public welfare.
- The variance granted is the minimum necessary to provide relief — no more than needed.
Special Rules for Overlay Districts (Section 2)
If the property is in an overlay district (like the Historic Overlay District), the variance request must follow the specific rules outlined in Part 3 of the Zoning Ordinance.
Planning Commission Review (Section 3)
Before making a decision, the Zoning Board must request comments from the Planning Commission. These comments become part of the official public record.
Conditions on Variances (Section 4)
The Board may attach reasonable conditions or safeguards to any approved variance to ensure it aligns with the goals of the Zoning Ordinance.
Applicant Acknowledgment Form
Applicants must sign a statement acknowledging:
- They’ve received and understand the criteria used to evaluate their variance request.
- They (or their representative) are solely responsible for presenting all supporting information for the application.
Signature and date fields are provided at the bottom for formal submission.
This document serves as both a policy guide and an application acknowledgment form for residents seeking variances in Hollidaysburg. It ensures transparency, fairness, and adherence to local zoning laws while protecting neighborhood integrity.