Page 139 - Keller FY20 Approved Budget

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
PLANNING & ZONING DIVISION (100-200-01)

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION:
The Community Development Department's Planning and Zoning Division is responsible for planning, facilitating, organizing, and
directing the City's growth and development. The Division implements development policies in accordance with the City Council-
directed goals and objectives. The Division's responsibilities includes both short- and long-term planning. These efforts involve
zoning, commercial development, residential subdivision plan review and the attendant processes: platting, planned
developments, specific use permits, variances, and coordination of impact fees. The Division provides project management and
coordination among other development-related departments by managing the Development Review Committee and the use of
permit tracking software (TrakIt). These systems help expedite and advance the development projects more efficiently and
shorten the time between application for a permit and issuance of a permit. The Division supports three City-appointed boards:
the Planning and Zoning Commission (P & Z), the Capital Improvements Advisory Committee (CIAC), and the Zoning Board of
Adjustment (ZBA).

DEPARTMENT/DIVISION GOALS:
1. Streamline and facilitate the development process to reduce staff review times and project submission-to-completion timelines.
2. Provide development project coordinantion with other departments and management of individual projects to minimize
confusion for developers and maximize the efficiency of the development process.
3. Implement the City's Land Use Plan and facilitate master planning efforts.
4. Maintain, update, and amend the Unified Development Code (UDC) to encourage development, eliminate conflicting or
confusing ordinance clauses, and adjust to evolving City Council objectives.
5. Support and assist with the development and implementation of ordinances and development plans for special projects (i.e.
Old Town Keller East, Future Land Use Plan (FLUP) Update, Thoroughfare Plan, Parks & Trails Master Plan Update, Impact Fee
Ordinance Update).
6. Provide easily accessible information such as development applications, public hearings, policies, and regulations on the
City's web page for customer and public access in coordination with the City Secretary (Legistar) and the Public Information
Officer.
7. Update demographic and population materials and community profile data. Prepare and update community statistics for
economic development purposes. Strengthen the effectiveness of development boards through training of members.
8. Assist the Economic Development Department in updating databases for use in business recruiting efforts (i.e., site and
building inventories, marketing information, preparation of economic incentive packages to appropriate and interested business
prospects).
9. Strengthen the effectiveness of development boards by providing training for board members.
10. Assist Utility Billing, Development Services, and Economic Development with fee assessments associated with impact and
development fees for residential and non-residential building permits as well as potential development projects.
11. Improve public relations efforts with the community through outreach programs by providing and updating the Community
Development summary brochure, development activity reports, annual meetings and workshops with the development
community and regular presentations regarding the City’s growth and progress at various community and civic organizations.
12. Support the City’s GIS program and efforts through assigning addresses and notifying GIS of zoning changes and
amendments.
13. Assist Code Compliance with landscaping, signage, and development regulation violations.

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