Boards & Commissions Overview

Various boards and commissions assist in the function of the City government.

Listing of Boards & Commissions

• Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA)
• Construction Board of Adjustment and Appeals (CBAA)
• Design Review Board (DRB)
• Downtown Development Authority (DDA)
• Historic Preservation Commission (HPC)
• Planning Commission (PC)
• Recreation Commission (RECC)

Appointments, Elections, & Membership

(Article 2.6, Boards and Commissions – Code of Ordinances)

• Appointments are made by nomination of the Mayor with approval of City Council
• Protocol for Appointment: The city clerk shall advise the mayor and council of impending appointments or vacancies at least thirty (30) days in advance. A slate of nominations shall be compiled based on recommendations from the mayor, council, and the board or commission affected. The mayor shall request closure, in accordance with the Open Meetings Law, prior to nomination
• All members shall be residents of the city. However, if a serving member moves outside the city limits, such member may serve until his/her successor has been duly appointed, or for a maximum period of six (6) months whichever is shorter.
• Each board and commission has seven members
• Each body elects a chairman by majority vote
• Chairmen serve one year or until a successor is elected
• Members serve three year terms for the following Boards/Commissions: Board of Zoning Appeals, Design Review Board, Historic Preservation Commission, Planning Commission and the Construction Board of Adjustment and Appeals. A member of any of these boards or commissions cannot serve more than three (3) full consecutive terms on any board or commission (per Ordinance adopted February 1, 2010) but may, at the election of Mayor and Council, be appointed to serve on another board or commission
• The other Boards and Commissions' terms are as follows:
  1. Recreation Commission - Five year terms (State Code) - A member of the recreation commission shall not serve more than two (2) full consecutive terms after adoption of the ordinance (March 1, 2010), but may, at the election of mayor and council, be appointed to serve on another board or commission.
  2. Downtown Development Authority – Staggered terms – After initial term, term is four (4) years – No Term Limits
• If members are currently serving an unexpired term, said term shall not be considered an initial term for purposes of these term limits.
• A position on a board or commission currently being occupied by a holdover member shall either be filled by reappointment, with such reappointment being deemed an initial term for purposes of term limits, be filled by a newly appointed member or be deemed vacant six (6) months (does not pertain to the Downtown Development Authority)
• A member whose term expires may serve until his/her successor has been duly appointed or for a maximum period of six (6) months whichever is shorter (Does not pertain to the Downtown Development Authority).
• Unexcused Absences - The minimum attendance requirement shall be two-thirds (2/3) of the regularly scheduled meetings. Failure to adhere to minimum attendance requirements during any twelve-month period shall cause such member's position to be declared vacant.
• Vacancies shall be filled for the remainder of the term in the same manner that original appointments are made.
• Members shall serve without pay. Members may be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in obtaining required training. Such required training shall be designated and approved by the mayor and council.

Boards & Commissions Volunteer Application

If you are interested in serving on one of our boards or commissions, please fill out an application. If there are no vacancies (please see the term expiration dates for each board/commission below), the City will keep your application on file until we have an opening.

• Boards & Commissions Volunteer Application
  
  

The Board of Zoning Appeals is authorized to approve variances. A variance is the process by which an applicant can, when meeting specific hardship criteria, request a deviation from certain provisions of the Roswell Unified Development Code (UDC). The Board of Zoning Appeals can only approve variances related to the zoning requirements of the UDC, and can only hear and decide on requests relating to Articles 1-10 and Section 12.7.

Meeting Schedule

• Second Tuesday of each month
• 7:00 PM, Roswell City Hall, Council Chambers

Archives

• Agendas, Briefs & Minutes

Board Member	Terms in Office	Expiration of Term	Occupation/Experience
Wilson Horde	1	2/10/2023	Attorney
Richard O’Donnell (Chair)	4	3/23/2021 (Third term under 2010 ordinance—Final term)	Attorney
Dan Seger (Vice Chair)	1	3/23/2021	Sales - Retired
Ian Kowalski	1	1/27/2023	Consultant - Business Process Improvement
Michael Snedeker	1	4/13/2023	Self-Employed
John Hannah	1	7/13/2023	VP Loss Prevention/Risk Management
Vacant	-	-	-

This Board hears the appeals of decisions and interpretations of the chief building inspector and consider variances of the technical code. They meet on an as-needed basis.

Board Member	Terms in Office	Expiration of Term	Occupation/Experience
Mike Martin	1	8/23/2020	Project Development/Building Development
Maria DeChellis	1	9/25/2020	Utilities Consultant
Robert Maddox	1	9/25/2020	Sr. Project Manager for Commercial Construction
Stu Moring	1	9/25/2020	Civil Engineer and City Planning
David Palmer	1	9/25/2020	Professional Engineer – Civil and Structural
David White	1	9/25/2020	Civil Engineer and Business Development
Vacant	-	-	-

The Roswell Design Review Board works to assure that development plans comply with community design and development policies established by the City of Roswell in its Comprehensive Plan and applicable design guidelines. The DRB is responsible for Initial Design Review and Final Design Review for all development within its jurisdiction with the exception of detached, fee simple and single-family residences.

Meeting Schedule

• First Tuesday of each month
• 6:30 PM, Roswell City Hall, Council Chambers

Archives

• Agendas, Briefs & Minutes

Board Member	Terms in Office	Expiration of Term	Occupation/Experience
Eric Clementi (Vice Chair)	3	1/13/2023	Architect – Registered in GA
Brendan Walsh (Chair)	2	12/22/2020	Land Developer – Residential Contractor's License
Chris Finke	2	8/24/2021	Civil Engineer – Registered in GA
Eric Henderson	1	4/9/2021	Internal Auditor/Industrial Engineer
Sidney Howman	2	2/24/2023	Landscape Architect
Vacant	-	-	-
Vacant	-	-	-

Roswell Code of Ordinances Article 2.6 - Boards and Commissions - Section 2.6.2 Composition

The Design Review Board membership shall include, unless otherwise approved by Mayor and Council, individuals with the following qualifications in addition to any listed in this article:

1. At least one (1) member shall be an architect with a current state registration.
2. At least one (1) member shall be a landscape architect with current registration.
3. At least one (1) member shall be licensed commercial building contractor.

Roswell's DDA was formed to improve the economy of Roswell by coordinating public/private programs that promote the redevelopment and growth of Roswell's central business district. The DDA works to assure the long-term economic stability of downtown Roswell by maintaining the small town character of the district and supporting values that assure Roswell is a great place to live, work, play, invest and do business.

• Visit the Roswell Downtown Development Authority Website

Meeting Schedule

• First Tuesday of each month
• 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM, Roswell City Hall, Room 220

Archives

• Agendas, Briefs & Minutes

Board Member	Terms in Office	Expiration of Term	Occupation/Experience
Trent Perry (Chair)	2	2/10/2024	Manage Rental Properties/Small Business Investments/Real Estate Acquisitions (Retired)
Ron Buckley (Vice Chair)	1	2/10/2024	VP at Property Group with shopping centers and prime retail space
Michelle Seger	1	2/10/2024	Partner and Owner at Leading Sales Consulting Advisory Firm
Thomas Smith	1	2/10/2024	Commercial Real Estate Investment Management
Michael Thompson	1	2/10/2024	Certified Public Accountant/Forensic Accounting/Taxation/Litigation Support
Maureen Whatley	1	2/10/2024	Talent Strategy and Planning/Leadership Succession and Development
David White	1	2/10/2024	Civil Engineer/Construction Administration/Real Estate Development

The members are nominated by the Council posts and assigned to those posts so their successors will be nominated upon the expiration of those terms by that post member.




The Roswell Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) was established with the mission to protect and preserve the historical and archaeological resources of the community. The HPC is responsible for the design review of projects proposed for the 640-acre Roswell Historic District. The Commission is comprised of Roswell citizen volunteers who are appointed to carry out the review process. A majority of the members are required to have demonstrated special interest, experience, or education in history or architecture.

Property owners and occupants within the Historic District desiring to make external material changes to their properties are required to obtain approval from the HPC. Such changes include any construction of new buildings, any change in the exterior architectural appearance of existing buildings, demolition or moving of buildings, or any change in external environmental features.

Meeting Schedule

• Second Wednesday of each month
• 6:00 PM, Roswell City Hall, Council Chambers

Archives

• Agendas, Briefs & Minutes

Applications & Resources

• Historic Preservation Commission Application
• Historic Properties Map
• National Register District Map
• LCI Study – Roswell Town Center/Atlanta Street Corridor Study

Board Member	Terms in Office	Expiration of Term	Occupation/Experience
Tom Lynch	3	10/28/2022 (Third term under 2010 ordinance—Final term)	Retired/Previous Real Estate
Andrew Shepard	2	2/10/2023	Architect/Real Estate Broker/Licensed Contractor
JoAnna Benson Spencer (Chair)	2	2/10/2023	Realtor/Real Estate Investment
Alex Paulson (Vice Chair)	1	6/24/2020	Architect
Anthony Sheard	1	8/26/2022	Engineer
Ron Jackson	1	1/27/2023	Retired from Nonprofit Management
Vacant	-	-	-

The Roswell Planning Commission was established to survey and study the existing conditions and probable future developments of the area in order to plan for physical, social and economic growth. The Planning Commission provides input into the Comprehensive Plan, recommends changes to the Unified Development Code (UDC), and considers subdivision of land and other land use regulations. The Commission reviews and makes recommendations for rezoning, concurrent variances, and conditional use permits prior to the hearing by the City Council.

The Planning Commission is comprised of Roswell citizen volunteers who are appointed by the City Council to deal with land and zoning issues.

Two (2) vacant seats.

Meeting Schedule

• Third Tuesday of each month
• 7:00 PM, Roswell City Hall, Council Chambers

Archives

• Agendas, Briefs & Minutes

Applications & Resources

• Zoning Application
• Plat Application
• Unified Development Code (UDC)

Board Member	Terms in Office	Expiration of Term	Occupation/Experience
Ronald Bevan (Chair)	2	7/8/2022	Sales Management Executive
Sean Richey	1	7/27/2021	Associate Professor
Allison Vrolijk (Vice Chair)	1	3/12/2021	Attorney
Bruno Costanzo	1	5/29/2021	Owner, General Contractor
Allyson Archibald	1	1/28/2022	Design Manager/Technical Designer
Carlton Hopkins	1	8/26/2022	Business Owner
Peter Vanstrom	1	4/13/2023	Dentist

The Roswell Recreation and Parks Department continues to strive to meet the leisure needs of the citizens of Roswell by providing quality comprehensive recreational opportunities and quality comprehensive parks and facilities.

Meeting Schedule

• Last Thursday of each month
• 6:30 PM, Adult Recreation Center, Ballroom*
  830 Grimes Bridge Road (*location subject to change)

Archives

• Agendas, Briefs & Minutes

Board Member	Terms in Office	Expiration of Term	Occupation/Experience
Debra Ewing (Chair)	3	5/19/2023 (Second term under 2010 ordinance—Final term)	Fulton County Government
Angelia Parham	2	10/29/2022	Gwinnett County – Director of Support Services
Richard Dreger	2	5/13/2023	Attorney
Lawrence Catchpole	1	4/25/2021	Sales and Business Executive; Strategic Planning
David Smith	1	1/28/2023	Environmental Consultant
Amour Carthy	1	8/26/2024	Education Consultant
Jose Gonzales	1	8/10/2025	Small Business Owner

Recreation Commission created under Provisions of O.C.G.A § 36-64-5. - Establishment of recreation board; powers and responsibilities; members; terms; officers; vacancies and Section 14.1.1 of the Roswell City Code - Recreation Commission.

The parks and recreation board will submit their proposed budget to the mayor and city council for approval on or before May 1 of each year. The mayor will appoint all members to the parks and recreation board for a term of five (5) years. Vacancies on the board occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled by the mayor for the unexpired term. All appointments shall be subject to the approval of council. Each member of the recreation commission shall reside in the City of Roswell at the time of appointment and at all times during which such person serves on the commission. However, if a serving member moves outside the city limits, such member may serve until his/her successor has been duly appointed, or for a maximum period of six (6) months, whichever is shorter.

A member of the recreation commission shall not serve more than two (2) full consecutive terms but may, at the election of mayor and council, be appointed to serve on another board or commission. If members of the recreation commission are currently serving an unexpired term, said term shall not be considered an initial term for purposes of these term limits. A position on the recreation commission currently being occupied by a holdover member shall either be filled by reappointment, with such reappointment being deemed an initial term for purposes of term limits, be filled by a newly appointed member or be deemed vacant six (6) months after adoption of this ordinance. A member whose term expires after adoption of this ordinance (March 1. 2010) may serve until his/her successor has been duly appointed or for a maximum period of six (6) months, whichever is shorter.