Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA)

Meets the last Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the Mount Pleasant Municipal Complex, 100 Ann Edwards Lane, unless otherwise noted on the annual meeting schedule. "Submittals are required 21 days prior to meeting date." "All written correspondence must be received three business days prior to the meeting," and all written correspondence becomes part of the public record published with agendas and minutes, including any personal information in it. Powers, per the Town, as set forth by the South Carolina 1994 Comprehensive Planning Act: "1. To hear and decide appeals for variances from the requirements of the zoning ordinance when strict application of the provisions of the ordinance would result in unnecessary hardship. There are four tests of hardship established by the state. All four must be met. It is incumbent upon the applicant to demonstrate the hardships. 2. To permit uses by Special Exception when designated within the zoning code. 3. To hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is an error in an order, requirement, decision or determination made by an administrative official in the enforcement of the zoning ordinance." Common residential trigger: removal of Category I or II historic trees, or pine trees greater than 24 inches DBH rated 'good' or 'fair', on a detached house lot is decided by the BZA under § 156.702(E)(2), except as provided in § 156.704. Apply through OPAL. Staff contact: Matt Simms, Senior Planner, planning@tompsc.com, (843) 884-1229. The Town publishes an "Explanation of the Board of Zoning Appeals Process."