Martinez Municipal Code Ch. 2.26 Design Review Committee

There is created a Design Review Committee composed of five members, with each member appointed by the Mayor of the City, subject to approval by the City Council. Members may receive compensation for their services, if approved by the City Council.

(Ord. No. 1077 C.S. § I, 1986)

The Committee shall be advisory to the Planning Commission and staff on Design Review applications under Section 22.34.030 et seq. of the Martinez Municipal Code, as referred to the Committee by the Community Development Director. If requested, the Committee may also assist the City Council, and other City Boards and Commissions, in reviewing other design review issues throughout the City. The Committee shall not adopt policy but may recommend the adoption of ordinances or other planning regulations directly related to design review. The Committee shall have no authority or power to hire or fire City staff or to require City staff to perform any tasks in behalf of or for the Committee or its members.

(Ord. No. 1077 C.S. § I, 1986; Ord. No. 1196 C.S. § I, 1993)

A. The Mayor shall strive to make membership appointments from each of the groups listed below. This composition is meant to be advisory.

B. Two committee members to be architects licensed in the State of California or with demonstrated knowledge and skills in the design field, two members to be landscape architects licensed in the State of California, or possessing a degree in landscape architecture from an accredited college, or possessing a certificate from the California Nurserymen's Association, and the remaining member to be a member of the public or a member of the Planning Commission. Members shall serve two-year terms. Initial appointments shall be effective November 1, 1986, with three members serving initial one-year terms, to provide for staggered terms.

Members shall continue to serve on the Committee even after their term has expired until their replacement has been appointed or until the member has been reappointed. Members shall be Martinez residents or otherwise qualified professionals familiar with the City.

(Ord. No. 1077 C.S. § I, 1986; Ord. 1104 C.S. § 1, 1987; Ord. No. 1196 C.S. § II, 1993)

The Committee shall annually in June elect one member to serve as Chair. Staff to the Committee shall be the Community Development Director, or a staff member as selected by the Director. However, the intent of establishing the Committee is to supplement the staff resources available to the Planning Commission. It is the intent that this Committee be an informal working group that can meet with staff and the applicant to help achieve the City's design review goals.

(Ord. No. 1077 C.S. § I, 1986; Ord. No. 1196 C.S. § I, 1993)

Three members shall constitute a quorum. Regular meetings shall be held on a date determined by the Committee and staff in relation to regular Commission meetings. Special meetings may be called as needed on one day's notice by the Director with the concurrence of the Chair. All meetings of the Committee are subject to the Brown Act.

(Ord. No. 1077 C.S. § I, 1986)

All members and alternates shall file disclosure statements in Category A under the City's Conflict of Interest Code.

(Ord. No. 1077 C.S. § I, 1986)

The Committee may adopt Rules of Procedure. Insofar as possible, review by the Committee shall take place concurrently with, and as an integral part of, the normal City staff review of a project. A summary of committee comments shall be incorporated in the staff report to the Planning Commission.

(Ord. No. 1077 C.S. § I, 1986)

All members sit on the Committee at the pleasure of the Mayor and City Council, and shall be subject to removal at will and for any or no reason by a ⅘ vote of the City Council.

(Ord. No. 1077 C.S. § I, 1986)