160                         LAWS OF MARYLAND.                   [CH. 93

more either of the area of the lots included in the proposed
change, or of those immediately adjacent in the rear thereof
extending 100 feet therefrom, or of those directly opposite
thereto extending 100 feet from the street frontage of such
opposite lots, such amendments shall not become effective ex-
cept by the favorable vote of three-fourths of the members of
the Council of the Town of Gaithersburg. The provisions of
the previous section relative to public hearings and official
notice shall apply equally to all changes or amendments.

6.     ZONING COMMISSION. In order to avail itself of the
powers conferred by this Act, the Mayor and Council of the
Town of Gaithersburg shall appoint a commission, to be known
as the Zoning Commission, to recommend the boundaries of the
various original districts and appropriate regulations to be
enforced thereon. Such commission shall make a preliminary
report and hold public hearings thereon before submitting its
final report; however, the Mayor and Council of the Town of
Gaithersburg shall not hold their public hearings or take action
until the Council has received the final report of such com-
mission.

7.     BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS. The Mayor and Council
of the Town of Gaithersburg shall provide for the appointment
of a Board of Zoning Appeals, and in the regulations and
restrictions adopted pursuant to the authority of this Act may
provide that the said Board of Zoning Appeals may, in appro-
priate cases and subject to appropriate conditions and safe-
guards, make special exceptions to the terms of the ordinance
in harmony with its general purpose and intent and in accord-
ance with general or specific rules therein contained.

The Board of Zoning Appeals shall consist of five members
and they shall be appointed for a term of four years but of the
first appointed members one shall be appointed for a term of
one year, one for a term of two years, one for a term of three
years and one for a term of four years. Vacancies shall be
filled for the unexpired term of any member whose term be-
comes vacant. The members of the Board of Zoning Appeals
shall be removable for cause by the appointing authority upon,
written charges and after public hearing.

The board shall adopt rules in accordance with the pro-
visions of any ordinance adopted pursuant of this Act. Meet-
ings of the board shall be held at the call of the chairman and