(a) In order to assist the director and the board of adjustment in the administration and interpretation of these escarpment regulations, and to establish an efficient forum for city input and review of proposed developments in geologically similar areas, an escarpment area review committee ("the committee") shall be established. The committee shall be advisory in nature and be comprised of at least one representative from the departments of development services, parks and recreation, planning and urban design, and public works. Members of the committee shall be appointed by the heads of the departments they represent. At least two representatives must be present to constitute a quorum.
(b) The committee shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) To thoroughly familiarize itself with the structures, land, areas, geology, hydrology, and indigenous plant life in the escarpment zone and in geologically similar areas.
(2) To thoroughly familiarize itself with the escarpment regulations.
(3) To identify criteria to be used in evaluating proposed development in the escarpment zone and in geologically similar areas.
(4) To identify guidelines to be used in determining whether a proposed development complies with the spirit and intent of the escarpment regulations.
(5) To meet with each prospective developer of a project for which an escarpment permit is required and make recommendations to the director as to what information may be waived or what additional information is required to allow a complete evaluation of the proposed project.
(6) To review applications for escarpment permits for compliance with the escarpment regulations, and to make recommendations to the director as to whether the applications should be approved or denied.
(7) To give advice and provide staff assistance to the board of adjustment and the city plan commission in the exercise of their responsibilities.
(8) To initiate amendments to the escarpment regulations when, in the opinion of the committee, the amendments are necessary to further the spirit and intent of the escarpment regulations.
(c) The committee shall meet at least once each month, with additional meetings to be held upon the call of the director, or upon petition of a simple majority of the members of the committee.
(d) The provisions of Chapter 8, “Boards and Commissions,” of the Dallas City Code, as amended, do not apply to the committee.
(e) Actions taken or recommendations made by the committee are not binding upon the director, the board of adjustment, the city plan commission, and the city council, and these persons and public bodies may decide a matter contrary to the recommendations of the committee. (Ord. Nos. 19455; 25047; 26000; 28073; 28424; 29478; 29882; 30239; 30654; 32002)