The variance criteria set forth in this section of the chapter are based on the general
principle of zoning law that variances pertain to a piece of property and are not
personal in nature. Though these standards vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction,
in general, a properly issued variance is granted for a parcel of property with physical
characteristics so unusual that complying with the requirements of this chapter would
create an exceptional hardship to the applicant or the surrounding property owners.
The characteristics must be unique to the property and not be shared by adjacent parcels.
The unique characteristic must pertain to the land itself, not to the structure, its
inhabitants, or the property owners.
It is the objective of the board of directors to help protect its citizens from flooding.
This need is so compelling, and the implications of the cost of insuring a structure
built below flood level are so serious that variances from the flood elevation or
from other requirements in the flood chapter are quite rare. Therefore, the variance
guidelines provided in this chapter are more detailed and contain multiple provisions
that must be met before a variance can be properly granted. The criteria are designed
to screen out those situations in which alternatives other than a variance are more
appropriate.