The purpose of the Zoning Board of Adjustment is to act as an escape valve for the consideration of individual site requests for relief from the literal interpretation and enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance. The board determines if the administrative official has created an error in the interpretation and enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance. The board has the authority to grant relief to the literal enforcement of provisions of the Zoning Ordinance on a case-by-case basis provided that the board finds that the variance will be in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the zoning ordinance, will not be injurious to the neighborhood or detrimental to the public welfare, and if the applicant can demonstrate:
That special conditions and circumstances exist which make the land, structure or building unique from others in the same district.
That literal interpretation of the Zoning Ordinance would deprive the applicant of rights commonly enjoyed by others in the same district.
That special conditions and circumstances do not result from the actions of the applicant. The hardship cannot be self-created.
That granting of the variance will not confer on the applicant any special privilege that is denied by the ordinance to others in the same district.