The City of Seattle is looking for two people to join the Northwest Design Review Board, which shepherds new buildings and development through the city’s design process. The volunteer positions begin April 4, 2011, when retiring board members’ terms expire. Applications are due December 10.
The Northwest Design Review Board is looking for a design professional representative and a local business representative.
Board members are appointed by the Mayor and City Council and serve two-year terms. Members serve on one of seven boards that review projects in the city’s major geographic districts. Each board is composed of five members who represent:
- design professions
- development interests
- general community interests
- local business interests
- local residential interests
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 must live in the city. Following appointment, the local residential interests representative must act as an ambassador to at least one community group or association (e.g. community council) that operates within the board district. Similarly, following appointment the local business interests representative must act as an ambassador to at least one business group or association (e.g. chamber of commerce) that operates within the board district. Acting as an ambassador is often facilitated if the board member lives or works within the district he or she is serving, but residency in a district is not a requirement to serve as a local representative.
Board members 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 are expected to attend at least 90 percent of the meetings.
