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The Portland Design Commission has a major and lasting impact on development. That has led the city to set up a process to ensure the group is balanced and effective.

鈥淭he folks we have now know their business,鈥� Design Commission Chairwoman Julie Livingston said. 鈥淲e have some nice diversity.鈥�

More is on the way. The commission’s former chairman, David Wark, finished his second and final term in October, and the city is now preparing to add a new design commissioner for the first time since last year. All of the existing six are in their first term.

The selection process involves applicants submitting letters of interest to the Bureau of Development Services (BDS). Candidates are vetted and interviewed to determine whether they would be suitable design commissioners.

Once BDS staffers identify the candidate they believe is most qualified, the bureau’s director passes the name to the mayor. Following an official nomination, the candidate appears before the City Council for approval.

One complicating factor in replacing Wark is that his position also serves as a representative of the Regional Arts and Culture Commission (RACC), so it must approve any applicant. The person also must agree to serve on the public arts committee, which meets once per month.

鈥淭his appointment is different than the others,鈥� said Kara Fioravanti, supervising planner at BDS. 鈥淭he appointment is nominated by RACC, (City) Commissioner (Nick) Fish and then approved by the mayor.鈥�

In addition to a RACC representative, the Design Commission includes one person representing the public at-large. The remaining five members must be experienced in design, engineering, financing, construction or building management, and land development. No more than two members may represent any one of these areas.

A successful applicant needs to know the basics of the city’s complex design guidelines. He or she also needs to generally understand architecture and land development.

However, the person also can’t have too many financial ties to projects that will come before the Design Commission.

鈥淲e do talk about this,鈥� Livingston said. 鈥淭here are people who, based on the work they have done and who their clients are, would not be a good applicant for the commission. They would have to constantly recuse themselves because of their financial interests.鈥�

Currently, the commission has a mix of people with both architecture and development backgrounds. Livingston has worked as an architect for Bora Architects and her own firm. Now she is an owner’s representative for affordable housing projects involving Home Forward.

鈥淩ight now I think everyone does have some real estate background as well as design,鈥� Livingston said. 鈥淓verybody has that kind of common grounding.鈥�

Usually, many candidates are ready to serve on the Design Commission, Fioravanti said.

鈥淲e get plenty of interest,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 guess you could call it a waiting list. There aren’t a lot of openings.鈥�

Plus, the requirements aren’t so restrictive that they preclude many people from serving on the commission.

鈥淏asically anyone who doesn’t have (a) bracelet on their ankle is eligible,鈥� Livingston said.

Finding the right person can be a time-consuming process. It generally takes three to four months, according to Fioravanti.

鈥淲e allow about a month (for applicants) to submit interest forms,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e have to get together a lot of paperwork, go through the applications and vet it internally. The most difficult (position to fill) is (this) one, where we are asking someone to volunteer on two boards.鈥�

Wark served for nearly 10 years 鈥� nearly two years of Mike McCulloch’s remaining time 鈥� and the maximum two four-year terms. But not everyone stays so long. They are volunteers, with other commitments.

鈥淧eople have lives,鈥� Livingston said. 鈥淪ome people serve two terms, others one. You have no control over when someone leaves.鈥�