Few meetings these days – but SW Design Review Board needs you

If you arent sure what the Southwest Design Review Board is/does, that’s understandable, since it (like the city’s other DRBs) hasn’t made news much this year – only two meetings! It’s an all-volunteer, city-convened board that reviews major development proposals for this area (full explanation here). Just a few years ago, the board was meeting for most if not all of its potential twice-monthly sessions, but if there’s no project to review, there’s no meeting. The board needs full membership, though, just in case, and that’s why we’re sharing a final reminder about an opening; application deadline this Friday. Each member on the board (current roster here) has a role – and the one that’s opening represents the local business community. (You do not have to be a business owner, just able to review development applications through the “how would this affect local business?” prism.) Interested in applying? Get the application here; read more in the original citywide announcement here.

4 Replies to "Few meetings these days - but SW Design Review Board needs you"

  • Sage December 7, 2010 (10:58 am)

    It’s always bothered me that the Design Review Boards are actually all employed in architecture & related fields. When I looked into this a couple years ago, this was true of *every* Design Review Board. It’s certainly still true for West Seattle. I.e.:

    The “community representative” is an architect at Weber Thompson.
    The “design professional” is an architect at Stricker Cato Murphy and Associates
    The “development representative” is an architect at Nicholson Kovalchick Architects.
    The “local residential representative” is a production designer at Starbucks and previously designed custom homes.
    And the outgoing “local business representative” is a landscape architect.

    I’m sure these are all good folks and the work is valuable, but it would be nice if at least *one* of these slots were not taken up by someone with direct financial interest in real estate.

    • WSB December 7, 2010 (11:03 am)

      Sage – if no one applies (which I am told is the situation right now, but I haven’t verified that, so I didn’t point it out in the main item), then no one will represent other interests. I don’t believe they have ever been besieged by applications. There is no requirement that the “business rep” or “community rep” be in those fields. So apply! Somebody!

  • Sage December 7, 2010 (11:09 am)

    Actually did apply in the past, despite limited qualifications. Council staff reported large # of applications across the board. Architects filled all open positions. The system is broken.

    • WSB December 7, 2010 (11:14 am)

      Thanks for stepping up, then!

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