Chapter 4.18
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD

Sections:

4.18.010    Purposes – Intent.

4.18.020    Design review board authority and duties.

4.18.030    Appointments and qualifications.

4.18.040    Term expiration.

4.18.050    Regular meetings.

4.18.060    Rules.

4.18.070    Subcommittees.

Legislative history: Ords. 84-24, 90-231, 92-280 and 93-311.

4.18.010 Purposes – Intent.

The design review board is created to review and make urban design decisions that will promote visual quality throughout the city of Mill Creek. The purpose of design review includes but is not limited by the references contained in Ordinance No. 84-24. (Ord. 2006-640 § 6; Ord. 2004-592 § 1. Formerly 2.24.010)

4.18.020 Design review board authority and duties.

A. The design review board shall review and act on the following matters:

1. All building elevations and landscape plans for attached single-family residential, multifamily residential, industrial, and commercial developments.

2. All streetscape landscaping and monument signs for detached and attached single-family residential, multifamily residential, industrial, and commercial developments.

3. All design of landscaping for city rights-of-way, medians, entrances, and other public facilities and city-owned properties.

4. Any other elements of site design if required as a condition of development approval by the hearing examiner or director.

B. The design review board shall be authorized to develop expanded and/or additional review criteria and forward its recommendation for adoption by the city council. (Ord. 2014-777 § 1; Ord. 2006-640 § 6; Ord. 2004-592 § 1. Formerly 2.24.020)

4.18.030 Appointments and qualifications.

A. The design review board shall consist of five members.

B. The members of the design review board shall be urban design professionals experienced in the disciplines of architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, graphic design or similar disciplines and need not be residents of the city. No design review board member shall be a current employee or official of the city. (Ord. 2006-640 § 6; Ord. 2004-592 § 1. Formerly 2.24.030)

4.18.040 Term expiration.

The term of each position shall expire on May 31st in the final year of each term. (Ord. 2023-894 § 4; Ord. 2006-640 § 6; Ord. 2004-592 § 1. Formerly 2.24.040)

4.18.050 Regular meetings.

The design review board shall hold regular meetings on the first Thursday of each month at 5:15 p.m. All meetings shall comply with the applicable requirements of Chapter 42.30 RCW. (Ord. 2024-904 § 1; Ord. 2006-640 § 6; Ord. 2004-592 § 1. Formerly 2.24.045)

4.18.060 Rules.

The design review board shall adopt rules for the election of officers and transaction of its business. Provision shall be made for a record of proceedings, reports, studies, findings, conclusions and decisions. Said rules shall provide that the meetings of the design review board shall be open to the public. Public communications and public hearings shall be conducted in substantial conformance with the procedures set forth in city council Resolution 2021-604; provided, the design review board may solicit explanations and additional input from the applicant or applicant’s representatives and such other sources as the design review board deems necessary to enable them to complete their review of the application. The proposed rules of the design review board shall be forwarded to the city council for its approval. (Ord. 2023-894 § 4; Ord. 2006-640 § 6; Ord. 2004-592 § 1. Formerly 2.24.080)

4.18.070 Subcommittees.

A subcommittee, comprised of design review board members, may be appointed by the design review board to review and make final decisions on individual design issues. (Ord. 2006-640 § 6)