Howard County citizens interested in ruling on zoning matters have an opportunity this month to apply for the Board of Appeals, a five-member body appointed by the County Council to hear zoning cases.
The Board of Appeals hears and makes decisions on conditional and non-conforming uses of land as well as appeals of departmental and administrative decisions related to county zoning regulations.
Board members serve five-year overlapping terms – the two currently open seats are for terms ending Dec. 31, 2017 and Dec. 31, 2018. Anyone may apply, although citizens from districts 3 and 4 are particularly encouraged to apply to fill the immediate vacancies. District 3 includes North Laurel, Savage and parts of Jessup and Columbia. District 4 includes west Columbia and portions of Clarksville, Highland and Fulton.
Board of Appeals members are paid $4,500 a year and $90 per session, with a cap of $12,900 a year. The Board meets as often as needed, typically on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. In past years, Board members have met about 39 times in a year.
Interested applicants can send a letter of interest and resume to the Council Administrator, Howard County Council, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, Md., 21043, or by email to stolliver@howardcountymd.gov or fax to 410-313-3297.
The deadline for applications is Sept. 30.