Boards and Commissions
City Council encourages citizen involvement in City government, relying on dedicated residents to serve the City as a volunteer on various Boards and Commissions.   Through strong community support and participation, Northville provides quality services, creating a desirable community for our citizens.  To attract the most qualified individuals to serve on our Boards and Commissions, vacancies are announced at City Council Meetings, the website, City News, and social media


Board and Commission vacancies

The city of Northville is accepting applications for qualified volunteers interested in serving on one of several boards: the Board of Review, the Board of Zoning Appeals, the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, the Historic District Commission, and the Northville Youth Network Commission.

The application is available on the city websiteTo be considered, applications must be submitted by December 22nd.  After that deadline, the City Clerk will contact applicants to schedule interviews with the City Council Board and Commission Selection Committee, comprised of Mayor Brian Turnbull and Mayor Pro Tem Barbara Moroski-Browne.  All applications will be kept on file for future consideration.

The Board of Review is the public body that reviews the assessment roll on behalf of Northville residents.  Applicants must be a two-year resident and a qualified elector in the City of Northville.  Meetings are held in March (multiple sessions with the first session on the Tues. following the second Mon.), July, and December.  More information about the Board of Review is available on the City website or contact the Assessor.

The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) carries out the provisions in Article 25 of the City of Northville Zoning Ordinance, and also considers any other matters upon which the BZA is called upon to act under law or other ordinances.  The Board of Zoning Appeals meets at 7 pm on the first Wednesday of each month at City Hall. Applicants must be registered to vote in the City of Northville.  More information about the Board of Zoning Appeals is available on the City website.

The Brownfield Redevelopment Authority meets as needed to consider requests by developers to establish Brownfield projects to fund environmental cleanup and other eligible activities.  Applicants must be a resident and qualified elector of the City of Northville.  Residents with expertise in environmental, economic development, real estate, finance, and legal matters would be complementary to this Board.  More information is available on the City website or contact City Manager George Lahanas.

The Historic District Commission reviews exterior and architectural changes to structures in the Historic District to carry out the procedures outlined in the City of Northville’s Historic Preservation ordinance, in conjunction with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.  Meetings are held at 7pm on the third Wednesday of each month.  More information about the HDC, and the City’s historic preservation ordinance is available on the City website.

The Northville Youth Network Commission acts as an advisory board to the Northville Youth Network programs and services, serves as a liaison between the community and the Northville Youth Network program, and is an advocate for youth and families to the community’s governmental bodies. 

Meetings are held at 8 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month.  This is a city resident position.  Applicants must be a resident of the City of Northville, a registered voter in the City of Northville, and have demonstrated tangible evidence of their interest in Northville youth.  Information about Northville Youth Network is available on their website, or by contacting NYN Director Amy Prevo at [email protected].                                       

Applying for a Board or Commission

Those interested in being considered for an appointment to a city board or commission are invited to complete an application.  The application is automatically emailed to the Clerk's office and will remain on file for two years.  After that time,  if you have not been appointed and are still interested in serving in a volunteer role on a board or commission, you must submit a new application.  Applicants are encouraged to review the Board and Commission Guidelines before submitting the application.

If you are currently serving on a board or commission and wish to be considered for reappointment at the end of your term, complete the Reappointment Application.  All reappointment applicants will be interviewed by the Board and Commission Selection Committee.    

Boards and Commission Application
Boards and Commission Reappointment Application
Board and Commission Guidelines 

Appointment process

When terms expire and/or upon notification of a board or commission resignation, openings for the position are advertised in City News, and on the city website and social media. If you are not a current member of that board/commission, complete the Board and Commission Application. If you are a current member and your term is set to expire, complete the Reappointment Application.  

The Clerk's Office will contact all applicants to confirm whether they are still interested in serving, and to schedule their interview with the Board and Commission Selection Committee. 

The Board and Commission Selection Committee, comprised of the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem, interviews applicants at an open meeting and makes its appointment recommendation to City Council.  The Committee's appointment recommendation is placed on a future City Council meeting (consent) agenda for formal approval. Board and Commission Selection Committee meeting dates and meeting agendas can be viewed here.

Reappointment

When terms are set to expire, openings for the position are advertised in City News, and on the City website and social media.  All board and commission members whose terms are set to expire must express their interest to continue service and complete the Board and Commission Reappointment Application

Reappointments are not automatic. Reappointment applicants and new applicants will interview with the Board and Commission Selection Committee at an open meeting.  The committee's appointment recommendation is placed on a future City Council meeting (consent) agenda for formal approval. Board and Commission Selection Committee meeting dates and meeting agendas can be viewed here