Ferris City Zoning Code
MUNICIPAL AGENTS
§ 154.110 GENERAL POLICY.
It is declared to be the general policy of the City of Ferris, unless otherwise expressly provided by this chapter, that its municipal planning functions and responsibilities are distributed and assigned as follows:
(A) Zoning Administrator. Administration and enforcement.
(B) Planning and Zoning Commission. Study and make recommendations on policy and amendments to this chapter.
(C) Board of Adjustment. Appeals and review.
(D) Administrator. An Administrative Official designated by the City Manager shall serve as the Zoning Administrator who shall administer and enforce this chapter. He or she may be provided with the assistance of such other persons as the City Manager may direct.
(Ord. O-12-743, passed 12-3-2012)
§ 154.111 PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION.
(A) Commission created. The Planning and Zoning Commission, as heretofore duly created by ordinance and now performing its authorized duties is hereby perpetuated.
(B) Members. Commission shall consist of five members, appointed by the City Council for two years staggered terms, who shall serve during their respective terms and until respective successors are appointed.
(C) Organization and rules of procedure. The members of the Commission shall organize and elect their own officers and shall hold meetings regularly and shall designate the time and place of such meetings. The Commission shall have the power to adopt its own rules of procedure insofar as the same are consistent with the statutes of the State of Texas and the ordinances of the City of Ferris, and shall keep a written record of all its proceedings. The Zoning Administrator shall have the duty of care, custody and control of all records of the Commission. Three members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
(D) Powers, jurisdiction and scope of activity of Commission.
(1) The Commission shall procure information and make recommendations to the City Council on the creation or modification of zoning districts.
(2) The Commission shall serve as a recommending body to the City Council regarding the approval or disapproval of all preliminary, final, and revised plats of land.
(3) The Commission shall discharge all functions involving city planning and zoning by law or this chapter, and shall investigate, study, and submit reports and recommendations to the City Council on all such matters as it or the City Council shall deem appropriate and which have any relation to municipal planning or zoning.
(Ord. O-12-743, passed 12-3-2012; Am. Ord. O-18-869, passed 7-2-2018)
§ 154.112 BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS.
(A) Board created. The Board of Adjustments, as created by ordinance and now performing its authorized duties is hereby perpetuated.
(B) Members. The Board shall consist of 5 regular members and 2 alternates, appointed by the City Council for 2 years staggered terms, who shall serve during their respective terms and until respective successors are appointed.
(C) Powers of the Board. The Board shall have the following powers:
(1) To hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is error in any order, requirement, decision or determination made by an Administrative Official in the enforcement of this chapter.
(2) To hear and decide special exceptions to the terms of this chapter upon which the Board is required to pass under this chapter.
(3) To authorize upon appeal in special cases such variances from the terms of this chapter as will not be contrary to the public interest, where, owing to special conditions, the literal enforcement of the provisions of this chapter will result in unnecessary hardship, so that the spirit of this chapter shall be observed and substantial justice done.
(4) To determine and designate substandard buildings.
(D) Appeals to the Board of Adjustments. Appeals to the Board can be taken by any person aggrieved or by any officer, board or department of the municipality affected by any decision of the administrative officer. Such appeal shall be taken within 15 days time after the decision has been rendered by the administrative officer by filing a notice of appeal specifying the grounds thereof with the officer from whom the appeal is taken and with the Board. The officer from whom the appeal is taken shall forthwith transmit to the Board all the papers constituting the record upon which the action appealed from was taken.
(Ord. O-12-743, passed 12-3-2012)