Board of Zoning Appeals

The Board of Zoning Appeals, or BZA, consists of seven (7) Kiawah residents that are appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the Council. Members of this group serve for three (3) year terms without compensation.

Currently, the Board of Zoning Appeals consists of the following members: Ron Ritchie (Chairman), Tom Burke, Charles Larsen, Nancy Zisk, Herchiel Sims, Ben Farabee, and Ron Hacker.

This seven-member volunteer group is aided by the professional staff of the Charleston County Planning Department, which acts as the Town's planning department, and by the Town Attorney.

Schedule:
Meetings are held on the third Monday of each month, as needed at 4:00PM in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Meetings are open to the public and are advertised 30 days in advance.

Purpose:
The BZA has three main purposes: 1.) to hear and decide appeals when it is alleged by the appellant that an administrative official has made an error (Administrative Review); 2.) to hear and decide applications for variance from the requirements of zoning regulations (Variances); and 3.) to permit uses by special exception, subject to the terms and conditions for those uses as identified in the zoning regulations (Special Exceptions).