City of Seattle Mike McGinn, Mayor

MEMBERS SOUGHT FOR SEATTLE’S DESIGN REVIEW BOARDS

Seattle - Mayor Greg Nickels is looking for qualified candidates to fill twelve upcoming openings on the city of Seattle’s Design Review Board. The volunteer positions will be available April 4, 2010 when retiring board members’ terms expire.

“We are looking for professionals in the design and development fields, who have proven skills and established careers. We also need community and business leaders with an interest in shaping new development in their neighborhoods, and a passion for keeping Seattle a great place to live, work and play,” said Mayor Nickels.

Applications will be accepted for the following twelve board positions:

Northeast Design Review Board

• design professional representative
• development interests representative

Northwest Design Review Board

• development interests representative
• local residential interests representative

Queen Anne/Magnolia/South Lake Union Design Review Board

• general community interests representative

Southeast Design Review Board

• general community interests representative
• development interests representative

Southwest Design Review Board

• general community interests representative

Downtown Design Review Board

• design professional representative
• local business interests representative
• general community interests representative

Capitol Hill/First Hill/Central District Design Review Board

• local business interests representative

Application forms are available from www.seattle.gov/designreview or from tom.iurino@seattle.gov The deadline for submitting an application is December 10, 2009.

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.

Applications will be accepted for positions other than those listed above and kept on file for consideration for future openings.

The Design Review 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 boards review mixed-use developments, multifamily housing, and commercial projects above a certain threshold. Learn more at www.seattle.gov/designreview

To be considered for appointment to one of the design review boards, please send an application, a cover letter and resume by December 10, 2009 by email to:

Tom Iurino
tom.iurino@seattle.gov

Email applications are preferred, as electronic documents facilitate file sharing among the selection committee. If emailing is not an option, applicants can send their applications via U.S. mail to:

Tom Iurino
Design Review Board
Department of Planning and Development
City of Seattle
700 – 5th Ave  Ste 2000
P.O. Box 34019
Seattle, Washington  98124-4019

You may download an application at www.seattle.gov/designreview or email tom.iurino@seattle.gov to receive a copy.

For more information on the Design Review Board and the city’s Design Review Program, visit www.seattle.gov/designreview.

For other information, please contact Tom Iurino, Design Review Program, at 206-615-1457 or via e-mail at tom.iurino@seattle.gov.

The Nickels Administration is committed to promoting diversity in the City's boards and commissions. Women, persons with disabilities, sexual minorities, and persons of color are encouraged to apply.

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