The city is looking to appoint twelve new volunteers for two-year terms on the Design Review Board, one of several citizen-led groups the Mayor and City Council have put in place to review major neighborhood development projects.

The boards are divided into divisions throughout the city. In our district, Queen Anne/Magnolia, two board members will be reaching the end of their terms in April 2010, and the city will need two new volunteers to replace them. The open position are community representative and development representative.

Each board is composed of five members who represent: design professions; development interests; general community interests; local business interests; and local residential interests. Board members volunteer about 12-14 hours a month, including twice-monthly meetings.

“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 in a press release.

The deadline for submitting an application is December 10, 2009.

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.