Page 142 - Fort Worth City Budget 2019

General Fund

Parkway Inspections were previously managed in this division; however, an executive decision was made to
transfer Parkway Inspections back to the Transportation and Public Works department.

The Planning Division has five sections. The Comprehensive Planning Section coordinates updates of the
Comprehensive Plan, conducts research and policy analysis, promotes the development of urban villages,
prepares neighborhood plans and manages grants and design contracts for streetscape projects. The Zoning
Section administers the city’s zoning regulations including Urban Forestry regulations. The Platting Section
administers the city’s subdivision regulations and implements the city’s annexation policy. The Design Review
Section administers the city’s historic preservation and urban design ordinances. The Appeals Section staffs two
Zoning Boards of Adjustment.

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
The Administration Division secured adoption of the Access Management Policy and Collector Network Policy
during FY2018.

The Planning Division secured adoption of the 2018 Comprehensive Plan and Historic Preservation ordinance
during FY2018.

The Development Division expanded walk-in service for commercial remodels and increased the availability of on-
line permits to expedite various permitting processes and expand customer convenience.

The Facilitation Division modified the Community Facilities Agreement (CFA) application process successfully
reducing processing time from 3 to 5 weeks; updated and secured adoption of the Transportation Impact Fee
study and participated in numerous process improvements and development project facilitations throughout the
city such as the Facebook Data Center, Sienna Hill, Bell Helicopter, Top Addition and Union Gospel Mission.

FY2019 DISCUSSION
To meet city development and growth demands the CFA section, Design Review section, Transportation Impact
Fee section and the Storm Water Facility Maintenance Agreement sections added a total of five new staff.

As part of department restructuring the Parkway Inspection program and the corresponding four staff members
were transferred to the Transportation and Public Works Department.

Additionally, to meet customer demand, the Expedited Plan Review Team was established adding eight new staff
to oversee and manage the new plan review process. As part of the establishment of the Expedited Plan Review
Team a new fee to offset the added cost was created.

HORIZON ISSUES

The Planning & Development Department foresees a continued demand for increased staffing to meet expected
service levels and expanded growth. Mixed-use and infill development, transportation funding and active
transportation modes are areas to be addressed in FY2019 and beyond.

The demands for form-based codes, design overlays, historic districts and conservation districts will continue
along with requests for annexation, special district modifications, and municipal boundary adjustments. As the
city continues to grow and diversify, ordinances need updating and integration to meet the demand for urban
development types.

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