Urban Design Review Panel Expressions of Interest 2025 – 2027 (Volunteer Opportunity)

Council for Canadian Urbanism (CanU); Niagara-on-the-Lake; On-site; Part time

Job summary

The Town Council of Niagara-on-the-Lake is seeking qualified volunteers for the Urban Design Review Panel. Ideal candidates should have expertise in urban design and relevant professional certifications. Members will advise on urban design matters for municipal projects. The commitment includes monthly meetings and a term lasting until February 2027. Interested applicants should submit their Expression of Interest via email by July 4, 2025.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Community involvement

Qualifications

• Membership in design associations preferred (OAA, OALA, OPPI, etc.).
• Specific experience in urban design is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional urban design advice on development applications.
• Make recommendations for design impact on projects.

Skills

Urban design expertise

Open-mindedness

Community commitment

Professional certifications

Education

Relevant degree or certification

Job description

Urban Design Review Panel Expressions of Interest 2025 – 2027 (Volunteer Opportunity)

Apply Now

Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake

Online and in-person (Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake)

Job Type: Volunteer

Date: June 25, 2025

The Opportunity

The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from qualified candidates to serve on the Town’s Urban Design Review Panel (UDRP). The UDRP is a voluntary technical review panel established to provide the Town Planning Department with objective, professional urban design advice on development applications and municipal projects. The advice from panel members will improve the quality of urban design and architecture within the municipality, ensuring that projects fit within the Town’s unique contexts. The UDRP achieves this by making recommendations to Staff on the design and potential physical and aesthetic impact of proposed buildings, structures, landscapes, streetscapes, parks, and infrastructure projects to guide the refinement of development proposals and public realm projects.

Council Seeks Six (6) Members To Sit On The Urban Design Review Panel For The Town Of Niagara-on-the-Lake For The Remainder Of The Term Of Council Or Until a Successor Is Appointed

• Two (2) Architects/Urban Designers
• One (1) Landscape Architect
• Three (3) individuals with demonstrated expertise related to urban design: Planner, Heritage Planning Professional, Engineering, Environmental Design, Green Technologies, etc.

The UDRP is strictly an advisory body to Staff. It does not have the authority to approve or refuse projects, or make policy decisions on land use.

Requirements and Qualifications

It is desirable that members have membership and/or certification in relevant professional design associations, such as the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA), the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA), the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI), the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP), the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals (CAHP), the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO), or similar or related associations in other provinces or federally. Specific experience in urban design is essential.

Other Requirements

Members shall:

• Have access to a computer and an email address to receive meeting invitations and agenda packages with large files.
• Have a demonstrated commitment to, and interest in, the Niagara-on-the-Lake community.
• Be objective and have an open mind in order to fully consider the application/project/matter.
• Be able to provide constructive input to a broad range of design related questions.

Members Must Be

• At least 18 years of age
• A Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Not employed by the municipality

Term

• Now through February 2027 (or until a successor is appointed)

Time Commitment

• The meetings will take place monthly or as needed. Additional meetings, or meeting cancellations, will be at the call of the Director of Community and Development Services based on application submissions.
• UDRP members will be provided with materials for review a minimum of three (3) weeks in advance of the meeting. Members are requested to attend prepared with specific items/input for the application based on their area of expertise.
• Attendance at training sessions (online and in-person professional development) may be required from time to time.

Selection Process

Members shall be appointed through a selection process based on qualifications and experience. Appointments to the Urban Design Review Panel are made by Town Council. Only one member of any particular firm may be allowed to sit on the Panel at the same time.

Submissions

Qualifications

Expressions of Interest in the form of a cover letter should include an overview of applicant’s interest and qualifications related to urban design, with specific reference to the following:

• Due to the technical nature of the Panel, academic qualifications are important. The EOI should provide any academic credentials, as well as any membership/association/certification within the applicable professional organization. Applicants should demonstrate their experience in urban design review and peer review for a variety of project scales and types.
• Individuals with a diversity of training will be viewed favourably; however, it should be noted that appointments would be focused to the area of expertise.
• As a group, the UDRP should include a balance of expertise as indicated in the composition breakdown. The EOI should include professional expertise and experience, demonstrating a breadth of knowledge of urban design where applicable.
• The focus of the UDRP is to provide independent expert advice to Staff and applicants. It is not required that a panel member be a resident of Niagara-on-the-Lake; however, the EOI must demonstrate an understanding of the urban design pressures within the Niagara-on-the-Lake community, as well as a familiarity of the Town itself.
• Prior experience on other urban design review panels will be viewed favourably.

Expressions Of Interest May Be Submitted At [e-mail]

The deadline for submission is 4:30 p.m. on Friday, July 4, 2025.

Further Information

For further information on the UDRP, please see the link below: https://www.notl.com/committees-council-recruitment

Contact

For Information On The Submission Or Selection Process

Grant Bivol, Town Clerk [e-mail]

For General UDRP Matters

Kirsten McCauley, Director of Community and Development Services [e-mail]