2.105 Urban Forestry Board

  1. Creation and Appointment
    There is hereby created an Urban Forestry Board to be composed of nine qualified electors of the City of Fort Worth.  It is policy that the City Council will consider for appointment to the Urban Forestry Board only those persons who have demonstrated their civic interest, general knowledge of the community, independent judgment, understanding of zoning, planning, urban forestry, development and real estate practices, and availability to prepare for and attend meetings.  Preference on appointments will be given, where feasible, to the persons who possess knowledge or background in the following fields:
    1. Property development;
    2. Forestry;
    3. Building or site design; or
    4. Mortgaging and financing
  2. Terms of Office
    The members of the Urban Forestry Board shall be identified by place numbers one through nine.  The odd-numbered places shall expire on October 1 of each odd-numbered year and the even-numbered places shall expire October 1 of each even-numbered year.  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.
  3. Meetings and Quorum
    Six members of the Urban Forestry Board shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business.  Five affirmative votes shall be required to decide any issue before the Urban Forestry Board.  The members of the Urban Forestry Board shall regularly attend meetings and public hearings and shall serve without compensation, except for reimbursement for authorized expenses attendant to the performance of their duties.
  4. Attendance Report
    Each month a report shall be submitted to the City Council showing the cumulative attendance of each member of the Urban Forestry Board, with notation of members who have been absent from three consecutive meetings.
  5. Staff Responsibility
    The Parks and Community Services Director, City Forester and any designated representatives shall be the regular technical advisors to the Urban Forestry Board.
  6. Powers and Duties
    The Urban Forestry Board shall have the powers and exercise the provisions of Subsection K of Section 6.301 "Landscaping and Buffers" of the Zoning Ordinance.  The primary purpose of the Urban Forestry Board is to hear appeals of decisions of the City Forester.
  7. Appeal and Decision by Urban and Forestry Board
    Any aggrieved person or entity may appeal any decision of the Urban Forestry Board to the Zoning Board of Adjustment.  A written notice of appeal must be filed with the executive secretary for the Board of Adjustment within ten (10) days after the Board's decision.  The Zoning Board of Adjustment shall schedule a hearing at its next regularly scheduled meeting where notice can be provided as required by law.  The Board of Adjustment may uphold, reverse, or modify the Urban Forestry Board's decision.