Planning and Development Services Awards and Recognition
The Planning and Development Services Department has received several awards in recent years, as outlined below.
Tree City USA and National Arbor Day Foundation Sterling Award
In conjunction with 11 years of receiving Tree City USA certification from the National Arbor Day Foundation, the City of Southlake has won 10 consecutive Growth Awards and was awarded the National Arbor Day Foundation Sterling Award. Growth Awards are given to communities that go beyond the four standards of Tree City USA and accumulate points from a list of projects that demonstrate improvement and growth of local tree care. A community wins a Sterling Award after participating in the Growth Award program for 10 years.
TXAPA Midwest Section Project Planning Award - 2008
The Midwest Section has established an annual awards program to recognize students, individuals, and projects making significant contributions to planning. This year, the awards committee selected Southlake to receive the Project Planning Award for the Sidewalk Plan. This award recognizes an outstanding plan, study, or project that may be specific or comprehensive in nature and addresses development issues of an area, city, county, or region. Selection criteria include innovation, transferability, quality, implementation, and comprehensiveness. Staff accepted the award at the Midwest Section's annual holiday banquet on Friday, January 11, 2008. The award was later presented to the Planning & Zoning Commission.
Certificate of Achievement for Planning Excellence - 2007, 2006, and 2005
The Planning & Development Services Department received a Certificate of Achievement for Planning Excellence from the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association in 2005, 2006, and 2007. Evaluation criteria include the level of training of Planning Commissioners and professional staff, professional qualifications of the planning staff, breadth and currency of master plan components and completion of other planning related projects.
TXAPA Community of the Year - 2006
Each year the Texas American Planning Association (TXAPA) recognizes organizations and communities for outstanding contributions to planning in Texas. This year the TXAPA Awards Committee selected Southlake as the recipient of the Chapter's 2006 Community of the Year Award. This award is given to a town, city or county which has provided an outstanding contribution to planning. Southlake was selected for this award for its excellent quality of life and its commitment to maintaining economic and environmental sustainability, innovative development ordinances and plans, and a built-environment which places an emphasis on place-making, environmental preservation, and pedestrian-oriented development. City staff accepted the award at the TXAPA conference in Corpus Christi in October. The award was presented to the Planning & Zoning Commission on November 9, 2006 (pictured below).
From left to right: Commissioners C.D. Peebles, Robert Hudson, Darrell Faglie, Jeff Wang, and Michael Springer.
TXAPA Midwest Section Planning Award - 2006
The Midwest Section has established an annual awards program to recognize students, individuals, and projects making significant contributions to planning. This year, the awards committee selected Southlake to receive the Project Planning Award for the Tree Preservation Ordinance. This award recognizes an outstanding plan, study, or project that may be specific or comprehensive in nature and addresses development issues of an area, city, county, or region. Selection criteria include innovation, transferability, quality, implementation, and comprehensiveness. Staff accepted the award at the Midwest Section's annual holiday banquet on Friday, December 8, 2006. The award was presented to the Planning & Zoning Commission on January 4, 2007.
From left to right: Commissioner C.D. Peebles, Commissioner Darrell Faglie, Vice Chairman Brandon Bledsoe,
Commissioner Robert Hudson, Chairman Al Morin, and Commissioner Jeff Wang.
Community Urban Forestry Award - 2006In February 2006, the Southlake 2025 Plan was selected to receive the Community Urban Forestry Award presented by the Cross Timbers Urban Forestry Council, Trinity Blacklands Urban Forestry Council and the Texas Forest Service. The Community Urban Forestry awards are presented to communities, groups and individuals who promote urban and community forestry initiatives in areas such as professionalism, programs, projects and planning. The Southlake 2025 Plan was chosen for its exemplary efforts to identify, protect and enhance the existing environmental aspects of the community of Southlake through intelligent planning and development. The Planning and Zoning Commission received the award at their February 23, 2006 meeting.
BOAT Award of Excellence - 2006 through 2002
Each year, the Building Officials Association of Texas (BOAT) recognizes several Texas cities for their professionalism and outstanding contributions to the profession they serve. The Award recognizes municipal Building Inspections Departments that meet or exceed designated standards set by the BOAT board. These standards include the level of staff certifications and licenses, providing training for staff, the response time for plan reviews and inspections, participation in community activities, and sponsoring training for builders and contractors. Southlake received the Award of Excellence in 2006, 2005, 2004, and 2002 and a Certificate of Merit in 2003.
Greater Fort Worth Builders Association Spotlight Award - 2006
On March 23, 2006, the Greater Fort Worth Builders Association presented the 2006 Spotlight Award to the City of Southlake. This award is given to spotlight a specific city whose policies and actions reflect an innovative approach to providing for the housing needs of the entire community.
Paul Ward, Building Official of the Year - 2005
The Construction Research Center at the University of Texas at Arlington named Paul Ward, Southlake's Chief Building Official, as the Building Official of the Year in 2005. The award was established to recognize the often overlooked contribution of building officials and building inspectors in the built environment. It is intended to promote a more effective partnership among the construction industry, research and academic community, and local governments. The award criteria include professionalism, code knowledge, communication skills, and participation in community activities.
TXAPA Comprehensive Planning Award - 2005
In September 2005, the City of Southlake received the State-wide Comprehensive Planning Award for the Southlake 2025 Plan. The Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association (TXAPA) recognizes outstanding planning efforts throughout Texas.