Politics & Government
Mayor Calls for Volunteers to Fill Board, Commission Seats
The City of Peachtree Corners is seeking residents to fill key positions on the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Commission.
Editor's note: Below is a letter from Peachtree Corners Mayor Mike Mason.
Dear Peachtree Corners Residents,
Across the U.S., citizen volunteers on boards and commissions play a large role in city governments by helping set their community’s direction.
Find out what's happening in Peachtree Cornerswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
I know there are residents who would like to have a say in what happens, and doesn’t happen, in our City, so we invite you to apply for volunteer positions on the City’s new Planning Commission or Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA).
Well-managed, modern cities and counties like Gwinnett consider it best practice to have these independent boards and commissions.
Find out what's happening in Peachtree Cornerswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
State law requires local governments to provide an appeals process for variances from existing development codes. This requirement is normally met by establishing a Zoning Board of Appeals. Here, citizens can present their hardship from adhering to some existing development code and seek relief.
These independent boards hear these cases since decisions are quasi-judicial in nature, i.e. they look at a set of criteria and make a determination, in contrast to the City Council’s decisions which are legislative in nature and reflect general public policy and not exceptions to the rule. That’s why decisions of the Zoning Board of Appeals are appealed to the Superior Court.
Members of the Planning Commission work as an advisory board and review studies done by staff in order to make a recommendation to City Council to either approve or deny a zoning request.
These volunteers do important work, and their input is crucial for making city government a partnership. This is particularly so with a brand new city.
So make a decision to get involved with your community by applying today for one of these volunteer positions at cityofpeachtreecornersga.com.
We look forward to having you be a part of establishing the City of Peachtree Corners. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
Respectfully,
Mike Mason,
Mayor
Mike.mason@cityofpeachtreecornersga.com
Jeanne.aulbach@cityofpeachtreecornersga.com
Phil.sadd@cityofpeachtreecornersga.com
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.