§ 731. Failure to observe land-use ordinance; conferences

(a) In the event that the supervisors of a district find that the provisions of a land-use ordinance adopted according to the provisions of this chapter are not being observed on particular lands, and that such nonobservance tends substantially to increase erosion on such lands and substantially interferes with the prevention or control of erosion or conservation of natural resources on other lands within the district, the supervisors may summon the owner of the land to appear before them to discuss the failure of the owner to observe the rules, and to perform particular work, operations, or avoidances as required by ordinance of the district, when the nonobservance tends substantially to increase erosion on the lands and substantially interferes with the prevention or control of erosion or conservation of natural resources on other lands within the district.

(b) By conference thus summoned, the supervisors and the owner of land not observing the ordinance adopted by the district, shall together make and sign a finding as to the issues that are involved in the failure of the owner to observe the ordinance of the district.

(c)(1) On the basis of such findings and if, after conference, it appears to the supervisors that there are great practical difficulties or unnecessary hardship involved in the full observance of the ordinance of the district, the supervisors shall endeavor to work out a program with the owner, as shall be acceptable to the owner and shall enable the owner to comply with the ordinance.

(2)(A) Alternatively, upon the basis of their findings, the supervisors may authorize such variance from the ordinances in their application to the lands of the owner who has not complied with the ordinance of the district, when such variance will relieve practical difficulties or unnecessary hardship to that owner and when such variance is not contrary to public interest and is in accordance with the purpose of land use regulations.

(B) The supervisors may request the landowner not complying with an ordinance to sign a stipulation setting forth the conditions agreed upon by the landowner and supervisors so that the practical difficulties or unnecessary hardship may be overcome and the work proceed by the consent of such landowner upon the land.

(d) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed so as to make ineffective any remedies available under the laws of the State. (Amended 1995, No. 163 (Adj. Sess.), § 12, eff. May 15, 1996; 2019, No. 14, § 24, eff. April 30, 2019; 2019, No. 61, § 13.)