Cincinnati’s Zoning Hearing Examiner may not have the most exciting job in the city, but he has been working to improve the office.
Marion Haynes addressed Council’s Livable Communities Committee Tuesday about his first year on the job. He said he’s tried to reduce the time it takes for an issue to go through the process to less than 60 days.
Haynes also works to have a written decision within two days of holding a required public hearing.
“I try my best to explain why the decision was made, how the standard was applied and ultimately why it is that the person got the relief or was denied the relief they requested,” Haynes said.
His boss, City Solicitor John Curp had praise for the hearing examiner’s work.
“From the time Mr. Haynes receives a complete application, there is a decision written within two days,” Curp said. “I challenge any other office in this city to respond with a complete and thorough review of any issue within two day.”
Haynes said in the last year there 107 cases brought before him. Only two proceeded to the Zoning Board of Appeals for further action and none required court litigation.
The zoning hearing examiner is responsible for granting variances, special exceptions and conditional uses.
