(a) Creation and appointment. There is hereby created a zoning commission of the city, to be composed of 11 residents of the city. It is the declared policy that the city council will consider for appointment to the zoning commission as members only those persons who have demonstrated their civic interest, general knowledge of the community, intelligent judgment, understanding of zoning and planning and availability to prepare for and attend meetings and who, by reason of diversity of their individual occupations, constitute a commission which is broadly representative of the community. As nearly as is reasonably possible, the zoning commission members as a whole shall fairly represent the ethnic makeup of the City of Fort Worth.
(b) Terms of office. The members of the zoning commission shall be identified by place numbers one through 11. The odd-numbered places shall expire October 1 of each odd-numbered year and the even-numbered places shall expire October 1 of each even-numbered year. Zoning commission members may be appointed to succeed themselves. Vacancies shall be filled for unexpired terms but no member shall be appointed for a term in excess of two years. Members shall serve until their successors are appointed. Members shall serve at the will and pleasure of the city council. A person is eligible to serve up to three consecutive two-year terms.
(c) Organization. The zoning commission shall hold an organizational meeting in November of each year and shall elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson from among its members before proceeding to any other matters of business. The development services director, or a designated representative, shall be the secretary of the zoning commission. The zoning commission shall meet regularly and shall designate the time and place of its meetings. The zoning commission shall adopt its own rules of procedure and keep a record of its proceedings in accordance with the state statutes, this ordinance and the City Charter. Newly appointed members shall be installed at the first regular meeting after their appointment.
(d) Meetings and quorum. Six members of the zoning commission shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business. The members of the zoning commission shall regularly attend meetings and public hearings of the zoning commission and shall serve without compensation, except for reimbursement for authorized expenses attendant to the performance of their duties.
(e) Decision by zoning commission. A motion to recommend approval of an amendment to the zoning ordinance shall require six favorable votes of the members present. Failure to secure six concurring votes to recommend approval shall constitute a recommendation of denial. A tie vote on a motion for denial will constitute a recommendation of denial.
(f) Staff responsibilities. The development services director and any designated representatives shall be the regular technical advisors to the zoning commission. When the zoning commission deems it necessary to obtain information from other city departments, it shall transmit such request through the development services director.
(g) Attendance reports. Each month a report shall be submitted to the city council showing the cumulative attendance of each member of the zoning commission, with notation of members who have been absent from three consecutive meetings.
(h) Powers and duties. The zoning commission is hereby charged with the duty and invested with the authority to:
(1) Advise the city council relating to the creation and amendment of these zoning regulations and districts as the zoning commission may deem beneficial and in the best interests of the city;
(2) Procure information, hold public hearings and make recommendations to the city council relating to the creation, amendment and implementation of zoning regulations and districts as provided in Tex. Local Government Code Chapter 211, together with all amendments thereto, authorizing cities and incorporated villages to pass regulations and all powers granted under such act are specifically adopted and made a part hereof as contemplated by § 31A of Chapter XXVII of the Charter of the city.
(Ord. 13896, passed 10-12-1999; Ord. 17522, § 6, passed 4-24-2007; Ord. 23024-12-2017, § 1, passed 12-5-2017, eff. 3-17-2018; Ord. 24030-02-2020, § 22, passed 2-4-2020; Ord. 26359-08-2023, § 1, passed 8-8-2023)