Zoning Hearing Board

Overview

The Zoning Hearing Board consists of three members, with two alternates, appointed by the Board of Supervisors for three-year terms. The main purpose of the Zoning Hearing Board is to ensure fair and equitable application and administration of the Zoning Ordinance by hearing appeals from decisions of the Zoning Officer and by granting relief from the enforcement of the ordinance in certain hardship situations. The Board has no legislative power; it can neither make nor modify zoning policy and it does not have enforcement powers.  It is a quasi-judicial body; that is, its powers are to some extent judicial in nature. 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. Decisions of the Zoning Hearing Board are final and cannot be overruled by the Board of Supervisors.  However, both the applicant and the Board of Supervisors have the right to appeal the decision to the Chester County Court of Common Pleas.  The Board’s activities are limited to those permitted by the Municipalities Planning Code and the East Bradford Township Zoning Ordinance.