Mayor’s Office Seeks Applicants to Open Board/Commission Roles

The City of Lakewood is seeking volunteers ready to engage with the community and advise their local government.

Opportunities are available on the following Boards and Commissions. Click the linked headings to learn more about each board/commission. To apply to one of the openings, please fill out an online application.

Architectural Board of Review (ABR)

The purposes of the Architectural Board of Review are to protect the value, appearance and use of property on which buildings are constructed or altered, to maintain a high character of community development, to protect the public health, safety, convenience and welfare and to protect real estate within the City from impairment or destruction of value. Such purposes shall be accomplished by the Board by regulating, according to accepted and recognized architectural principles, the design, use of materials, finished grade lines, dimensions, orientation and location of all main and accessory buildings to be erected, moved, altered, remodeled or repaired, subject to the provisions of the Zoning and Building Codes and other applicable ordinances of the City, and shall take into consideration the Architectural Standards Workbook and any other design guidelines or standards, as recommended by the Administration or City Council and adopted by the Planning Commission pursuant to Part One, Title Five, Chapter 154 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Lakewood, for use by the Board. In reviewing, regulating and approving building plans, the Board shall consider and take cognizance of the development of adjacent, contiguous and neighboring buildings and properties for the purpose of achieving safe, harmonious and integrated development of related properties.

The ABR is tasked with three different review boards, which include:

• The Board of Building Standards reviews applications for variances to the city’s Building Code.
• The Architectural Board of Review considers architectural proposal for commercial and residential properties.
• The Sign Review Board reviews all sign proposals, including those that require a variance.

Board of Zoning Appeals

The board of zoning appeals shall hear and decide appeals from any regulation, order, decision, requirement, or determination made by administrative officials or agents in the application of ordinances governing zoning in the city. The board shall hear and decide all appeals made for variances in the application of ordinances governing zoning in the city, except that no variance shall be granted unless the board finds:

• 1. There exists practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship that would deprive the owner of the reasonable use of the land or building involved;
  2. There are special circumstances or conditions applying to the land or buildings and not applying generally to land or buildings in the neighborhood, and that the circumstances or conditions exist so that strict application of the provisions of the ordinances of the city would deprive the applicant of the reasonable use of the land or buildings;
  3. The granting of the variance is necessary for the reasonable use of the land or building and that the variance granted by the board is the minimum variance that will accomplish this purpose; and
  4. The granting of the variance will be in harmony with the general purpose and intent of the ordinances of the city and will not be injurious to the neighborhood or otherwise detrimental to the public welfare. The board shall perform other duties and functions as may be imposed upon the board by this charter or by council, and it may establish rules and regulations for its own procedure not inconsistent with this section or any ordinances of the city.

Citizens Advisory Committee

• The Citizens Advisory Committee is charged with the responsibility of reviewing and researching Community Development needs and the Consolidated Plan of the City of Lakewood. In this context, the CAC reviews various proposals for federal funds and makes recommendations to the City Council as to what programs would be funded and at what funding levels in a particular year. The CAC members analyze requests for funds in relation to the needs of the community and the amount of funds available. Click here for more information about this commission.

Community Relations Advisory Commission

The Lakewood Community Relations Advisory Commission was established to serve in an advisory capacity for the purpose of educating, informing and making recommendations to City officials, departments, boards and commissions on matters relating to community relations within the City of Lakewood in an effort to advance:

• Respect for diversity: Acknowledge we live in a dynamic community with an ever- changing variety of group and individual experiences, and affirm values derived from the understanding of our differences (whether based on socio-economic class, culture, religion, race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression).
• Bonds of mutuality: Recognize the interdependence of our different interests as we work toward serving the common good, and ensure community relations have substantive meaning by acknowledging, as Martin Luther King Jr. stated, “Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.”
• Equity: Affirm our commitment to social justice, and assure all groups and individuals have the opportunity to participate fully in civic affairs with equal access to employment, community resources, and decision-making processes.

Complete & Active Streets Education and Advisory Board

The CASE Board is responsible for collaborating with City officials regarding facilitating safe, effective, and accessible multi -modal community usage of public right of way corridors which encourage walking and biking as part of a transportation system. Educate and increase community awareness of traffic, pedestrian, bicycle, and personal mobility device safety and accessibility. Work with the City to expand community knowledge and implementation of recommendations in the Active Transportation Plan and Safe Streets for All Plan. Provide diverse lived experiences of right- of-way usage to City officials to inform safety interventions to reduce speeding and create a safer transportation experience for all users. Coordinate with City commissions, committees, departments and other pertinent organizations.

Animal Safety and Welfare Advisory Board

Established to serve in an advisory capacity for the purpose of general animal issues, assist in public education and community outreach to owners of animal safety and abuse problems. The Board is also involved in updating and improving written educational materials and the coordination and referral of animal owners to education classes.