REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Sean Joyce, Interim City Manager
VIA: Ursula Luna-Reynosa, Director of Community Development
PREPARED BY: Alyssa Helper, Associate Planner
Subject:
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Approve one or more appointments to the Design Review Board as recommended by City Council Liaisons Erik Peterson and Dan Kalmick
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Statement of Issue:
The City Council is asked to approve the appointments of two At-Large members to the Design Review Board (DRB) at the recommendation of the City Council Liaisons.
Financial Impact:
Not Applicable
Recommended Action:
recommendation
A) Approve the appointment of Matthew Fertal as an At-Large member of the DRB through May 17, 2026, the end of the term for the current vacancy; and/or,
B) Approve the appointment of Lilli Cutler as an At-Large member of the DRB through May 17, 2026, the end of the term for the current vacancy.
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the recommended appointments and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
The DRB is responsible for assisting the Director of Community Development, Zoning Administrator, and Planning Commission in reviewing and providing recommendations on development plans and architectural drawings within designated areas of the City.
The DRB consists of one Planning Commissioner, one member of the Historic Resources Board, and three At-Large members. At least four of the five members are required to have training, education, or work experience in design-related fields.
The DRB has been operating with two At-Large vacancies since January 2021 and has duly advertised the vacancies since. Four applications were received with one withdrawal. City Council Liaisons Erik Peterson and Dan Kalmick reviewed all valid applications and made recommendations to appoint Matthew Fertal and Lilli Cutler to fill the vacancies.
Matthew Fertal is a retired city manager and community development director with the City of Garden Grove and has been a resident of Huntington Beach for over 28 years. He has extensive experience in negotiating real estate development projects, developing and implementing specific plans, and reviewing and refining development projects. Lilli Cutler has over 45 years of experience working as a design professional, including as an interior designer, and has been a resident of the City for over 5 years. She previously served on the DRB, with her last term ending in 2020.
Should Matthew Fertal and Lilli Cutler be appointed, their four-year terms would become effective immediately and would expire on May 17, 2026.
Environmental Status:
Not applicable.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Non Applicable - Administrative Item
Attachment(s):
1. Applications for Appointment-Matthew Fertal and Lilli Cutler