Boards, Committees & Commissions

City boards, committees, and commissions, most of which include citizen members, meet regularly to develop legislation and/or recommend policy on a wide range of issues. Residents may bring a matter to the attention of Council by contacting the committee chair.

For a schedule of current meeting dates and times, call 216-491-1400, or visit the Calendar. For the names of committee members or a list of all boards and community organizations, view the Directory of Shaker Heights Officials & Organizations.

See also: Agendas & Minutes and Directory of Officials and Organizations

City Committees

Community Life & Health Committee
Addresses strategic issues related to the delivery of recreation and health services to the City.

Finance Committee
Develops and monitors financial and administrative policy for the City; addresses strategic issues related to the financial health of the City.

Neighborhood Revitalization Committee
Addresses strategic issues related to strengthening neighborhoods and preserving and enhancing the quality of the City’s housing. Develops and monitors policies related to housing; focuses on community support and customer satisfaction and grassroots involvement in housing preservation activities.

Safety and Public Works Committees
Addresses strategic issues related to the delivery of safety and core services in the City, to include Police, Fire (EMS), and Public Works services.

Boards and Commissions

Architectural Board of Review
Regulates the design, materials, location and orientation of all structures to be constructed, as well as all exterior modifications to existing structures.

Board of Appeals
Hears appeals from the decisions, orders and notices of violation issued regarding the Housing Code and the Criminal Activity Nuisance law, and appeals referred to the Board of Housing Code appeals and the Maintenance Review Board.

City Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals
Makes decisions regarding amendments to the Zoning Code and map, variances, Conditional Use Permits, site plans, re-subdivision of land, and improvements to public land; implements land use policies; provides advice for specific projects; provides framework for leveraging physical assets.

Human Relations Commission
Acts to educate the community in fields of human relations and promotes communication and understanding between institutions, citizens and citizen groups. Selects recipient of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for Human Relations. Nominations are accepted at any time for this award, to be given to an individual or group exemplifying Dr. King's values. Download a nomination form and email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or complete online.

Fair Housing Review Board
Settles housing discrimination complaints and provides a forum for communication and interaction among residents on human relations issues.

Tree Advisory Board
Builds community support for the City's tree programs, and educates residents on issues related to the City's trees and urban forests. Coordinates the annual Arbor Day celebration and seeks public grant funds for the maintenance of the City's tree programs. Shaker has received 28 Tree City U.S.A. awards. It celebrates Arbor Day in April with fourth grade students from a different elementary school each year, who plant a magnolia tree in Southerly Park. For more tree information go to the National Arbor Day Foundation.

Landmark Commission
Designates landmarks in order to preserve, protect and perpetuate places, buildings, structures, works of art and other objects having special historical or community value for reasons described in the ordinance; addresses strategic issues; provides assistance to all property owners on methods of preserving their structures.