City staff are recommending an amendment to city code as it pertains to appeals to the Great Falls Board of Adjustment.

The City Commission is scheduled to hear the amendment on first reading tonight and set a public hearing for Sept. 18.

The Board of Adjustment is the quasi-judicial body that hears appeals regarding land use decisions including variances, and also hears appeals regarding the allocation of Community Block Grant funds.

City staff are proposing an amendment to city code that would require an individual or applicant appealing a decision to the BOA to maintain the burden of proving a decision should be reversed or modified.

It’s an appropriate requirement, according to staff, since traditionally a party to a judicial or quasi-judicial action has the burden of showing the decision of the authority being appealed should be overturned or modified.

The proposed amendment can be read in full here.