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Code reviser's note: Section 4 of Ordinance 4981 provides, "The provisions set forth in Chapter 2.36 BMC adopted herein shall be implemented upon the appointment and confirmation of a quorum of the Design Review Board."
The purpose of the Design Review Board is to review development applications in areas having adopted design guidelines. The Design Review Board will review applications and make recommendations to the Director of Community Development regarding design criteria for incorporation into the development consistent with the adopted design guidelines.
(Ord. 4981 § 1 (part), 2006)
(a) 
"Board"
means the Design Review Board.
(b) 
"Director"
means the Director of Community Development, or designee.
(c) 
"Design guidelines"
means the document entitled "Highland Avenue/Pleasant Avenue Design Guidelines" dated June 7, 2006, adopted by Resolution 2994, and other similar design guidelines adopted by City Council resolution or ordinance.
(Ord. 4981 § 1 (part), 2006)
(a) 
Membership. The Board shall consist of five (5) appointed members. In addition, the Director shall sit on the Board as a nonvoting member for purposes of advising the Board on regulatory and urban design issues. It is preferred that members of the Board be knowledgeable in matters of design and aesthetic judgement by virtue of training, education, and/or experience. They shall possess qualities of impartiality and broad judgement, and an ability to review two (2) dimensional plans. Desired qualifications for Board members include an expertise in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, urban design/planning, structural engineering, graphic, industrial and interior design, or similar disciplines. Appointees must be residents of the City for one (1) year prior to appointment.
(b) 
Appointment. Appointment to the Board shall be made by the Mayor subject to confirmation by the City Council. Terms of office shall consist of four (4) year staggered terms with the initial terms consisting of two (2) members with two (2) year terms and three (3) members with four (4) year terms.
(c) 
Compensation. Board members shall serve without compensation.
(d) 
Removal. When a member misses three (3) consecutive meetings not excused by the Board, the position may be declared vacant by a majority vote of the Board.
(e) 
Chairperson. The Board shall, each year, elect its own Chairperson and create and fill such other offices as it may determine it requires.
(Ord. 4981 § 1 (part), 2006)
The Board shall meet at such times deemed necessary for conducting business. A majority of the full membership shall constitute a quorum for conducting business. Any action to be taken by the Board shall require the concurrence of a simple majority of the members of the Board qualified to vote. Meetings of the Board shall be open to the public but are not subject to the requirements of the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 42.30 RCW. No special notice of the meetings need be given nor shall such meetings be public hearings although nothing shall prohibit the Board from soliciting explanations and additional input from citizens, the applicant or applicant's representatives and such other sources as the Board deems necessary to enable them to complete their review of the application.
(Ord. 4981 § 1 (part), 2006)
The Design Review Board shall review all applications for building permits in areas having adopted design guidelines. The Board will review the application and make a recommendation to the Director. The Board is not delegated any executive or legislative power, authority or responsibility and is not acting on behalf of the City Council or the Mayor but rather serves in an advisory capacity and makes recommendations to the Director. The Board and its members are to be free from undo influence by individual City Council members, Planning Commission members, City officials or other persons.
(Ord. 4981 § 1 (part), 2006)
The Board's recommendation shall hold substantial weight in the decision by the Director; however, the Director has the authority to accept, reject or modify the Board's recommendation or to request clarification by the Board of its recommendation. Any deviation from the recommendation shall be documented in the findings and conclusions. The Director's decision shall be incorporated into the decision on the permit application.
(Ord. 4981 § 1 (part), 2006)
A member of the Board shall not participate in review of a project for which he or she has a conflict of interest in accordance with the City code.
(Ord. 4981 § 1 (part), 2006)
The Board may adopt rules and procedures it deems necessary for the conducting of business. Provision shall be made for a record of proceedings (minutes), reports, studies, findings, conclusions and recommendations.
(Ord. 4981 § 1 (part), 2006)