Chapter 2.78
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD

Sections:

2.78.010    Purpose of board.

2.78.020    Definitions.

2.78.030    Board established – Membership.

2.78.040    Terms of membership.

2.78.050    Meetings.

2.78.060    Powers and duties.

2.78.070    Conflict of interest.

2.78.080    Administrative support.

2.78.010 Purpose of board.

The purpose of the design review board (DRB) is to review development applications associated with development in the downtown overlay district area. The DRB will review applications and make recommendations to the director of planning regarding the applications’ consistency with adopted design guidelines. (Ord. 006-08 § 1; Ord. 035-07 § 1).

2.78.020 Definitions.

(1) “Board” or “DRB” means the design review board.

(2) “Director” means the director of planning or designee.

(3) “Design guidelines” means the design and building standards for the downtown overlay district as now or hereafter adopted by city council resolution or ordinance. (Ord. 006-08 § 1; Ord. 035-07 § 1).

2.78.030 Board established – Membership.

(1) Appointment. There is created a design review board consisting of not less than five and not more than seven members who shall be appointed by the mayor subject to confirmation by the city council. Vacancies occurring otherwise than upon the expiration of terms may be filled for the unexpired terms by the mayor subject to confirmation by the city council.

(2) Membership. A five-member board shall consist of three lay members who reside within city limits or reside within the Port Orchard urban growth area and have an interest in architecture, building, or design, and two professional members who reside within city limits or reside within the Port Orchard urban growth area or own a business within the city of Port Orchard, and who are desired to have expertise in any one of the following fields: architecture, landscape architecture, urban design/planning, structural engineering, graphic, industrial, and interior design, building or carpentry, or similar disciplines. A seven-member board shall consist of four lay members and three professional members who meet the qualifications set forth above.

(3) Compensation. Board members shall serve without compensation. (Ord. 017-08 § 1; Ord. 007-08 § 1; Ord. 006-08 § 1; Ord. 035-07 § 1).

2.78.040 Terms of membership.

(1) Terms. The initial terms of the appointed positions by position number shall expire on December 31st of the year set opposite said position number as follows:

Lay Position No. 1 – 2009;

Lay Position No. 2 – 2010;

Lay Position No. 3 – 2011;

Lay Position No. 4 – 2011;

Professional Position No. 5 – 2009;

Professional Position No. 6 – 2010;

Professional Position No. 7 – 2011.

Thereafter the terms of membership for members shall be three years. No person shall serve more than two full consecutive terms. An appointment to fill a portion of an unexpired term less than one year in length shall not be considered a full term.

(2) Removal. When a member misses three consecutive meetings without excuse by the board, the position may be declared vacant by a majority vote of the other members of the board. (Ord. 006-08 § 1; Ord. 035-07 § 1).

2.78.050 Meetings.

(1) Meetings. The board shall meet at such times deemed necessary for conducting business.

(2) Quorum. No business shall be conducted without a quorum at the meeting. A quorum shall exist when the meeting is attended by a majority of the members of the board, which may include the chairperson.

(3) Chairperson. The board shall elect one of its members to serve as chairperson for a term of one year. The chairperson may be elected to serve one consecutive additional term, but not for more than two successive terms.

(4) Voting. All actions of the board shall be represented by a vote of the membership. Unless otherwise provided in this chapter and Chapter 18.94 POMC, a simple majority of the members present at the meeting in which action is taken shall approve any action taken. The chairperson may vote at the meetings.

(5) Rules and Procedures. The board may adopt rules and procedures it deems necessary for the conducting of business. (Ord. 006-08 § 1; Ord. 035-07 § 1).

2.78.060 Powers and duties.

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 powers and duties of the board shall consist of the following:

(1) Preapplication Meeting. One member of the board shall, whenever possible, attend the pre-application meeting with staff and the proponent of a project that is subject to design guidelines. The chairperson shall be responsible for ensuring that this duty is rotated among the board’s members.

(2) Application Review. Review all applications for building permits in areas having adopted design guidelines. The board shall review the application for consistency with the applicable design guidelines and make a recommendation to the director.

(3) Biannual Review. Not later than September 30, 2009, and every two years thereafter, provide the mayor and city council with a written report setting forth the board’s assessment of the design guidelines, in light of the applications reviewed in the prior two years, and recommending changes to the design guidelines that are intended to reinforce the purpose of the design guidelines and to provide greater clarity to applicants.

(4) Such other design-related matters as shall be referred to the board for review and recommendation by the mayor or city council. (Ord. 006-08 § 1; Ord. 035-07 § 1).

2.78.070 Conflict of interest.

A member of the board shall not participate in review of a project for which the member has a conflict of interest. (Ord. 006-08 § 1; Ord. 035-07 § 1).

2.78.080 Administrative support.

The planning department shall provide administrative support for the board. (Ord. 006-08 § 1; Ord. 035-07 § 1).