946 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 787

modified, or repealed. In case, however, of a protest against
such change, signed by the owners of 20 per cent or more
either of the area of the lots included in such proposed
change, or of those immediately adjacent in the rear there-
of extending 100 feet therefrom, or of those directly
opposite lots, extending 100 feet from the street frontage
of such opposite lots, such amendment shall not become
effective except by the favorable vote of three-fourths of
all the members of the legislative body of such municipal-
ity. The provisions of the previous section relative to public
hearings and official notice shall apply equally to all
changes or amendments.

157 (f) In order to avail itself of the powers conferred
by this Act, the Mayor and City Council of Ocean City
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 en-
forced therein. Such Commission shall make a preliminary
report and hold public hearings thereon before submitting
its final report, and the Mayor and City Council of Ocean
City shall not hold its public hearings or take action until
it has received the final report of such Commission.

157 (g) The Mayor and City Council of Ocean City
may 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 appropriate cases
and subject to appropriate conditions and safeguards,
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 mem-
bers 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 becomes 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 to this Act.
Meetings of the board shall be held at the call of the chair-
man and at such other times as the board may determine.
Such chairman, or in his absence the acting chairman,
may administer oaths and compel the attendance of wit-