A. Purpose.

(1) A request for a variance may be made when an aggrieved party can submit proof that strict adherence to the provisions of this Zoning Code would cause him undue hardship or create conditions causing greater harmful effects than the initial condition. A variance granted to a nonconforming use brings that use into conformance with the district and zoning requirements.
(2) The Zoning Board of Appeals may authorize upon appeal, in specific cases, such variance from the terms of the Zoning Code as will not be contrary to the public interest where, owing to special conditions, a literal enforcement of the provisions of the Zoning Code will result in unnecessary hardship and so that the spirit of the Zoning Code shall be observed and substantial justice done. No variance shall have the effect of allowing in any district uses prohibited in that district, permit a lower degree of flood protection than the flood protection elevation for the particular area, or permit standards lower than those required by state law.
(3) For the purposes of this section, "unnecessary hardship" shall be defined as an unusual or extreme decrease in the adaptability of the property to the uses permitted by the zoning district which is caused by facts, such as rough terrain or good soil conditions, uniquely applicable to the particular piece of property as distinguished from those applicable to most or all property in the same zoning district.

B. Application for variation. The application for variation shall be filed with the Zoning Administrator. Applications may be made by the owner or lessee of the structure, land or water to be affected. The application shall contain the following information:

(1) Name and address of the applicant and all abutting and opposite property owners of record.
(2) Statement that the applicant is the owner or the authorized agent of the owner of the property.
(3) Address and description of the property.
(4) A site plan showing an accurate depiction of the property.
(5) Additional information required by the Plan Commission, Village Engineer, Zoning Board of Appeals, or Zoning Administrator.

C. Public hearing of application. The Zoning Board of Appeals shall conduct at least one public hearing on the proposed variation. Notice of such hearing shall be given as a Class 1 notice and shall give due notice to the parties in interest, the Zoning Administrator, and the Plan Commission. At the hearing the appellant or applicant may appear in person, by agent, or by attorney. The Board shall thereafter reach its decision within 30 days after the final hearing and shall transmit a written copy of its decision to the appellant or applicant, Zoning Administrator and Plan Commission.
D. Action of the Zoning Board of Appeals. For the Board to grant a variance it must find that:

(1) Denial of variation may result in hardship to the property owner due to physiographical considerations. There must be exceptional, extraordinary, or unusual circumstances or conditions applying to the lot or parcel, structure, use, or intended use that do not apply generally to other properties or uses in the same district and the granting of the variance would not be of so general or recurrent nature as to suggest that the Zoning Code should be changed.
(2) The conditions upon which a petition for a variation is based are unique to the property for which variation is being sought and that such variance is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of substantial property rights possessed by other properties in the same district and same vicinity.
(3) The purpose of the variation is not based exclusively upon a desire to increase the value or income potential of the property.
(4) The granting of the variation will not be detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to the other property or improvements in the neighborhood in which the property is located.
(5) The proposed variation will not undermine the spirit and general and specific purposes of the Zoning Code.

E. Conditions. The Zoning Board of Appeals may impose such conditions and restrictions upon the premises benefited by a variance as may be necessary to comply with the standards established in this section. The fees for all appeals shall be established by resolution of the Village Board.