Whenever, under this Ordinance, a use is neither specifically permitted nor denied, and an application is made by an applicant to the Zoning Officer for such use, the Zoning Officer shall refer the application to the Zoning Hearing Board to hear and decide such request as a special exception. The Zoning Hearing Board shall have the authority to permit the use or deny the use in accordance with the standards governing special exception applications. The use may be permitted if it is similar to and compatible with the permitted uses in the zone in which the subject property is located, is not permitted in any other zone under the terms of this Ordinance, and in no way is in conflict with the general purposes and intent of this Ordinance. The burden of proof shall be upon the applicant to demonstrate that the proposed use meets the foregoing criteria and would not be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare of the neighborhood.