(A) Zoning map.
(1) The official zoning map shall be identified by the signature of the Mayor, attested by the City Secretary and bearing the seal of the city under the following words:
“This is to certify that this is the Official Zoning Map referred to in Section 1.3 of the Ordinance Number 890316A of the City of Heath, Texas, (together with the date of the adoption of this subchapter). If, in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter and Tex. Local Gov’t. Code, Ch. 211, as amended, changes are made in district boundaries or other matter portrayed on the official zoning map, such changes shall be entered on the official zoning map promptly after the amendment has been approved by the City Council.”
(2) All changes made in the official zoning map will also note on the map the ordinance number and date of final passage of the ordinance authorizing the map change. No amendment to this subchapter which involves matter portrayed on the official zoning map shall become effective until after the change and entry has been made on the map.
(3) No changes of any nature shall be made in the official zoning map or matter shown thereon except in conformity with the procedures set forth in this subchapter. Any unauthorized change of whatever kind by any person or persons shall be considered a violation of this subchapter and punishable as provided for hereafter.
(4) Regardless of the existence of copies of the official zoning map which may from time to time be made or published, the official zoning map, which shall be located in the office of the City Secretary shall be the final authority as to the current zoning status of land and water areas, buildings, and other structures in the city.
(5) In the event that the official zoning map becomes damaged, destroyed, lost or difficult to interpret because of the nature and/or number of changes and additions, the City Council may, by resolution, adopt a new official zoning map, which shall supersede the prior official zoning map, but no such correction shall have the effect of amending the original official zoning map or any subsequent amendment thereof. The new official zoning map shall be identified by the signature of the Mayor, attested by the City Secretary, and bearing the seal of the city and date under the following words:
“This is to certify that this Official Zoning Map supersedes and replaces the original official zoning map referred to Section 1.3 of Ordinance No. 890316A of the City of Heath, Texas.”
(6) Unless the prior official zoning map has been lost or has been totally destroyed, the prior map or any significant parts thereof remaining, shall be preserved, together with all available records pertaining to its adoption or amendment.
(B) Rules of interpretation of district boundaries. Where uncertainty exists as to the boundaries of districts as shown on the official zoning map, the following rules shall apply:
(1) Boundaries indicated as approximately following the center lines of streets, highways or alleys shall be construed to follow such center lines;
(2) Boundaries indicated as approximately following platted lot lines shall be construed following the lot lines;
(3) Boundaries indicated as approximately following city limits shall be construed as following such city limits;
(4) Boundaries indicated as following railroad lines shall be construed to be midway between the rails of the main tracks;
(5) Boundaries indicated as following shorelines shall be construed to follow such shorelines, and in the event of change in the shoreline shall be construed as moving with the actual shoreline. Boundaries indicated as approximately following the center lines of streams, rivers, canals, lakes or other bodies of water shall be construed to follow such center lines;
(6) Boundaries indicated as parallel to or extensions of features indicated in divisions (B)(1) through (5) above shall be so construed. Distances not specifically indicated on the official zoning map shall be determined by the scale of the map;
(7) Where physical or cultural features existing on the ground are at variance with those shown on the official zoning map, or in other circumstances not covered by divisions (B)(1) through (6) above, the Board of Adjustments shall interpret the district boundaries;
(8) When streets or alleys on the ground differ from the streets or alleys shown on the zoning district map, the Planning and Zoning Commission may apply the district designations on the map to the streets or alleys on the ground in such a manner as to conform to the intent and purpose of this subchapter; and
(9) Whenever any street or alley is vacated, the particular district in which the adjacent property lies shall be automatically extended to the center line of any such street or alley.
(2005 Code, § 12-11-2)