Page 328 - Bedford-FY23-24 Budget

Development

Andrea Roy
Assistant City Manager

The City of Bedford Development Department is comprised of four primary services, each with unique roles and
responsibilities.

The Economic Development group is one of these services, and its mission is to enhance the quality of life for
residents and the sustainability of City businesses. This is achieved through the retention and revitalization of existing
businesses and neighborhoods, as well as the promotion, recruitment, and coordination of new commercial and
residential development in the City. The group works independently and cooperatively to market Bedford, the Hurst-
Euless-Bedford (HEB) area, Northeast Tarrant County, and the region. The Economic Development group provides
excellent customer service to the private sector development community, Bedford businesses, prospective businesses,
residents, and visitors. These services provide emphasis on improving the business climate through speci c efforts in
the following projects and activities: new development, redevelopment, workforce development, business retention
and expansion, and small business development. The Hurst-Euless-Bedford (HEB) Chamber of Commerce assists
these efforts.

The Planning and Zoning group’s mission is to promote the ef cient and orderly development of private properties,
while encouraging the growth and enhancement of businesses in accordance with the City’s Comprehensive Land
Use Plan. The group strives to prevent adverse or undesirable effects from incompatible land uses by utilizing planning
principles and land use patterns developed in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Planning and Zoning activities
ensure that there is suf cient suitable land for future development, while protecting and improving the physical
environment. These efforts protect and maintain property values and ensure that land uses are properly situated in
relation to one another. Planning and Zoning personnel provide expertise in developing policy so that properties can
be adequately serviced by public services and facilities. Additionally, these procedures preserve and assist in the
development of the community’s economic base. The group’s customers include the private sector development
community, Bedford businesses, prospective businesses, residents, visitors, and other City departments.

The Permits and Inspections group is responsible for overseeing plan review and permit issuance to ensure that
proposed construction work meets the safety requirements of the City’s Code of Ordinances. The group strives to
perform this process with the highest professional standards to ful ll the needs of the community. The group provides
exceptional personalized service by providing timely, ef cient, and thorough building inspections. Permit and
inspection services are provided for citizens, property owners, businesses, contractors, and authorized agents who
intend to make improvements to or change the occupancy of a building or structure.

The Neighborhood Ser vices / Code Enforcement group is responsible for addressing nuisance and property standard
violations of the City’s Code of Ordinances. The group’s mission is to provide residents and businesses with a safe and
healthy community by enforcing the Code of Ordinances. Violations typically include high grass and weeds, trash and
debris, dilapidated fences, unlawful dumping, un-permitted signage, and “junk” motor vehicles. The group’s main goal
is to gain compliance with the Code of Ordinances through engagement, education, and empowerment utilizing
cooperative efforts, follow-ups, and legal procedures when necessary. This is all done in an effort to preserve
neighborhood integrity and to sustain property values.

City of Bedford, TX | Proposed Budget FY 2023-2024 Page 328