Community Post

2009 Openings on the Design Review Board

The City of Seattle is looking for qualified candidates to fill upcoming
openings on the 35-member Design Review Board. The volunteer positions
will be available in April 2009 when retiring board members’ terms
expire.

The deadline for applications is December 10, 2008. Applications may be
downloaded from www.seattle.gov/designreview or requested from
[email protected]

Applications will be accepted for the following ten positions on the
city’s seven design review boards:

Northeast Design Review Board
— community at-large representative
— local business representative
Northwest Design Review Board
— no openings
Queen Anne/Magnolia Design Review Board
— design professional representative
— local residential representative
Southeast Design Review Board
— no openings
Southwest Design Review Board
— design professional representative
— local residential representative
Downtown Design Review Board
— development representative
— local residential representative
Capitol Hill Design Review Board
— community at-large representative
— development representative

Applicants should have:
— knowledge of, or interest in, architecture, urban design and the
development process;
— the ability to evaluate projects based on the city’s design
guidelines;
— the ability to listen and communicate effectively at public meetings;
— a passion for design and community development; and
— the ability to work well with others under pressure. Prior experience
with community or neighborhood groups is a plus.

Board members are appointed by the Mayor and City Council and serve
two-year terms. They should expect to work 12-14 hours a month attending
and preparing for board meetings, which are held twice a month, in the
evenings. Board members must live in the city.

The Design Review Board and program was established in 1994 to provide
an alternative to prescriptive zoning requirements and foster new
development that better responds to the character of its surroundings.
Boards evaluate the design of development projects based on citywide and
neighborhood-specific design guidelines. The board reviews mixed-use
developments, multifamily housing, and commercial projects above a
certain threshold. Learn more at www.seattle.gov/designreview

Applications may be downloaded at www.seattle.gov/designreview or
requested from [email protected] Please send an application, a
cover letter and resume by Dec. 10, 2008 by email to Tom Iurino at
[email protected]

Questions may be directed to [email protected] or 206 615-1457

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