Zoning Administration Network
(Currently Non-Sanctioned by TexasAPA)
Welcome to the Zoning Administration Network (ZAN) information site. The purpose of this site is to solicit interest in the creation of a professional "Network" under the umbrella of the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association (TexasAPA).
My name is Karen Gandy, Zoning Administrator for the City of Southlake, Texas. I am interested in establishing a Zoning Administration Network sanctioned by TexasAPA. In order to petition the Texas APA Board of Directors, we must obtain twenty-five (25) signatures of Texas APA members who would like to join this network.
I know that all of us are continually faced with researching zoning-related topics, preparing ordinance drafts, and then enforcing the regulations once approved. These htmlects of our job can be very labor-intensive and very frustrating unless we have an established network of professionals upon whom we can call when confronted with hot zoning issues, such as: aesthetics regulations, personal care facilities, telecommunication towers and antennas and sexually-oriented businesses.
I feel that some of our professional stress could be eliminated by having a strong support network of professionals (like yourselves) where information and ideas could be exchanged more easily.
In an effort to get ZAN off the ground, I have prepared the following information to stimulate interest and solicit feedback.
ZONING ADMINISTRATION NETWORK (ZAN) - DEFINITION: A professional organization composed of planners, administrators, building officials and code enforcement personnel who share interest in the effective and contemporary administration of zoning regulations for municipalities.
ZAN - GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:
| To establish a state-wide, support system of zoning officials who have "been there, done that and lived to tell about it." | |
| To establish strong Zoning Administration Programs through better communication between administrative and enforcement officials. | |
| To facilitate an idea exchange and information links for the network membership. |
POTENTIAL TOPICS OF INTEREST:
| Creating and administering municipal zoning ordinances | |
| Interpreting and enforcing zoning codes | |
| Implementing development regulations through site plan preparation and technical review | |
| Regulation of Aesthetics--Within the Bounds of Chapter 211 (Texas Local Government Code) | |
| Updating Zoning Ordinances for the 21st Century | |
| New Technologies | |
| Aging of America | |
| Home Businesses | |
| New Parking Requirements / Demands | |
| Open Space Preservation | |
| Improving Links Between Administration and Enforcement | |
| Special Zoning Challenges | |
| Group Living Arrangements | |
| Child Care | |
| Multiple Family Residential Development | |
| Adult Uses | |
| Outdoor Storage/Display and Screening Techniques | |
| Amortization of Nonconforming Uses |
NETWORK REQUIREMENTS IF ESTABLISHED: Following are some of the obligations of a network when sanctioned by TexasAPA.
| Responsible for providing professional presentations at the annual conference of Texas APA in October. | |
| Responsible for contributing professional articles on zoning-related topics to the Texas Planning Review, the monthly newsletter of Texas APA. | |
| Must provide periodic reports to the State Board of TexasAPA. |
LETS GET ORGANIZED! I hope that you are excited by what I have outlined and have an interest in establishing a network. Please contact me at your earliest opportunity to express your interest. I will begin a potential membership database and keep you informed as to progress on establishing the network. I can be reached via any of the following means.