Redwood City Boards, Commissions and Committees Blog Series: Call for Community Volunteers!

The first blog in a series features: Planning Commission, Architectural Advisory Committee, and the Historic Resources Advisory Committee

Are you a Redwood City resident? Passionate about City parks, senior programs, cultural and art programs, affordable housing, or architecture standards or know someone who is?

The City welcomes and encourages your active participation by serving on a Council-appointed Board, Commission or Committee. The City will seek volunteers for a variety of Boards, Commissions and Committees this March. Twenty-eight seats are open. Join other Board, Commission and Committee volunteer members in shaping policy initiatives and services affecting the community.

This new blog series will feature each Redwood City board, commission, and committee and provide information on how you can apply to serve.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission consists of seven members, appointed by the City Council for four-year terms. The Commission regularly meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month, but may hold additional meetings.

The Planning Commission recommends a comprehensive long-term general plan for the physical development of the City to the City Council, for adoption, and plays a role in the administration of the City Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance.

The Commission reviews and acts upon the following:

General Plan and General Plan amendments.
Neighborhood and specific area plans.
Environmental impact reports and negative declarations.
Tentative subdivision maps.
Planned Development permit applications for developments of one acre or more.
Appeals from actions taken by the Planning Director or the Sub-division Committee regarding applications for minor subdivisions.
Subdivision Ordinance exceptions.
Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance amendments.
Special studies and reports.

The Planning Commission also appoints members to the Architectural Advisory Committee and Historic Resources Advisory Committee.

Architectural Advisory Committee

This committee consists of five members appointed by the Planning Commission. This Committee was established to provide enhancement of the natural beauty of the environment, and to provide for the orderly and harmonious appearance of structures and grounds.

The Committee advises the Planning Commission on matters concerning building and landscape architecture, site design, and signs. This committee focuses on large or sensitive projects where architectural elements are significant and community input is important.

This committee requires that all members have experience in architecture or design, meaning members should be licensed architects or landscape architects residing or working in the City of Redwood City, or its sphere of influence (as described by and in the General Plan of the City of Redwood City).

Historic Resources Advisory Committee

Preservation of Redwood City’s historic resources is of great significance for those who live and work here today, and for the generations who will be here in the future.

The Historic Resources Advisory Committee meets once a month and advises the Planning Commission regarding the implementation of the City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance and recommends historic designation of local landmarks and districts, performs design review of changes to historic buildings, and is involved in other historic preservation-related activities.

The Committee consists of five members who should fit at least one of the following:

· Member of the Redwood City Heritage Association or other preservation-related organizations

· Licensed architect or structural engineer

· Urban planner or landscape architect

· Attorney or real estate expert

· Member of community groups or resident within historic district(s)

· Occupant of historic landmarks or owner of historic site(s).

At least four members of this committee must be residents and registered voters of Redwood City. Committee members serve a three-year term.

Interested in serving?

Submit your interest by going online to the City’s website and filling out an interest form. Here you may select which BCCs you are interested in and list any of your relevant experience. The form and more information about each Board, Commission and Committee is online here.

More Details on the Spring Recruitment

The City of Redwood City will be recruiting for multiple seats on various Boards, Commissions, and Committees! Recruitment opens on March 1 and closes on April 6. To learn more about Redwood City’s Boards, Commissions, and Committees recruitment process, go here.

General requirements include that applicants must have an interest in civic involvement, must be 18 years of age or older, be a registered voter and a resident of incorporated Redwood City. Some board or commission positions may have additional requirements or preferred areas of expertise.

Next week’s blog in this series will feature the Civic Cultural Commission and Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission.

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