Design Review Board dissolved by the city

DOWNEY - The Patriot has received official notification from the City Clerk's office that the city's Design Review Board has been dissolved and that its duties have been taken over by the Planning Commission.For years, the board met at 6 p.m. every second and fourth Wednesday of the month at City Hall, charged with the responsibility of reviewing the physical design and development of city projects both public and private to make sure that they conform to the city's norms with regard to appearance, signage, and landscaping. When the city came up with the new updated zoning ordinance on Oct. 28, with its emphasis on streamlined operations, the City Council also decided that the board's functions be incorporated with those of the Planning Commission's. The five-member commission's task is to make recommendations to the council on matters relating to the adoption, amendment or repeal of the city's general plan, specific plans, and zoning ordinances. It also enjoys final say on such land use decisions as subdivisions, conditional use permits, and variances. It meets at 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of the month. The current commission members, along with the districts they represent and their dates of appointment, are: Michael Murray (District 1, Jan. '05), Robert Keifer (District 2, Nov. '08), Jeff McCaughan (District 3, Jan. '01), Terri Lambros (District 4, Dec. '05). The District 5 at-large post is at present vacant but is expected to be filled at the next Council meeting Jan. 13. ********** Published: January 2, 2009 - Volume 7 - Issue 37