The appointment process is intended to provide a clear overview of how applicants are moved through the selection process and ultimately appointed to serve in a voluntary capacity on a board or commission. This process was designed to ensure consistency in making necessary recommendations and appointments to boards & commissions.

Step 1: Recruitment and Application Process

The Clerk’s Office seeks applicants from all segments of the community, representing various interests and groups. During the months of May - July, the Clerk’s Office actively advertises for all board & commission seats coming open at the end of the term on September 30th as well as any other open positions that may become vacant. This announcement will specify the vacancies for all boards and will provide details regarding the application process including the deadline for receipt of applications.

During the month of May, the Clerk’s Office will notify all members with terms expiring on September 30th of the corresponding year that new applications must be submitted in order to be considered for reappointment.

In order to be eligible for appointment to a board, candidates must file an application with the Clerk’s Office no later than July 31st. Applications are only considered for the board selected on the application. A separate application must be submitted to serve on multiple boards.  Please note that applications may be submitted at any time during the year and will remain active until May 1st of the following year.

The Clerk’s Office will distribute packets containing all applications to the Organization Advisory Board by August 15th. The OAB will consider all applications received for appointment to all boards. The OAB will interview and recommend a Slate of Candidates to the BOC for consideration. Appointments will be made at a BOC meeting prior to September 30th.

Applications not selected or received after July 31st will be considered when vacancies arise during the year.

Step 2: Selection and Appointments

The goal of the OAB is to recommend qualified candidates for boards based on certain needs of each board, in conjunction with individual rules of procedure, bylaws and work plans. The OAB will strive to achieve a balance of qualified applicants covering a range of qualifications and talents for the boards.

Staff will review all applications with staff liaisons and OAB to determine which candidates are the most qualified for a particular board. Considerations will be given to any additional applicants who should be considered for an interview based on the skill sets needed for a board. The OAB will interview ALL  candidates and rank them based on qualifications and talents. The OAB will submit recommendations based on the most qualified candidates to the BOC for appointment. The Clerk's Office will provided assistance to the OAB on scheduling interviews with ALL candidates.

The OAB will provide a  recommended Slate of Candidates, along with justifications, to the Clerk’s Office no later than September 15th.

The Clerk’s Office will add the recommended Slate of Candidates to a BOC regular meeting agenda for the Board to review and discuss candidates interested in serving on an advisory board. Upon agreement, the Board will adopt the  Slate of Candidates for appointment.

After the BOC confirms the appointments, the Clerk’s Office will communicate to all newly appointed/reappointed candidates advising them of their appointment status, schedule orientation training and administer the oath of office prior to the first meeting in October.

The ABC Board (ABC) consists of five (5) regular members. The ABC is a statutory board that develops and maintains control of spirituous liquors in accordance with the North Carolina ABC Commission. The purpose of this board is to make available sales of spirituous liquors through the ABC store, to determine objectives and goals for the operation of the ABC store as well as prepare recommended plans for achieving these goals and to develop recommended policies & procedures for carrying out sales of spirituous liquors in a coordinated and efficient manner.

The ABC Board shall be governed by the terms of Chapter 18B, Article 7 of the General Statutes of North Carolina. All members shall thoroughly familiarize themselves with these laws.

• Appointment Process – Applicants are vetted by the Clerk's Office, interviewed by the Organizational Advisory Board and considered for appointment by the Board of Commissioners.
• Term – 3 year staggered, except when unexpired terms are filled due to unexpected vacated seats.
• Residency Requirement – 5 members must reside in the town limits.
• Meets – Fourth Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the Waxhaw ABC Store, 2528 Cuthbertson Road.
• 2026 ABC Board Regular Meeting Schedule - Adopted 12.09.2025
• ABC Board Proposed Annual Budget FY 2026-2027
  
  

The Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) consists of seven (7) regular members. The HPC is a statutory board which primarily decides on Certificates of Appropriateness for repairs and maintenance of local historic landmarks, administers façade improvement grants for improvements on historic buildings in downtown and recommends local historic landmark and/or district designations. A majority of the members must have demonstrated special interest, experience or education in history, architecture, archaeology or related fields.

The Historic Preservation Commission shall be governed by the terms of Chapter 160D, Article 3 of the General Statues of North Carolina and the Land Development Code (LDC) of the Town of Waxhaw. All members shall thoroughly familiarize themselves with these laws.

• Appointment Process – Applicants are vetted by the Clerk's Office, interviewed by the Organizational Advisory Board and considered for appointment by the Board of Commissioners.
• Term – 3 year staggered, except when unexpired terms are filled due to unexpected vacated seats.
• Residency Requirement – 7 members must reside in the town limits.
• Meets – Second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Waxhaw Town Hall Board Chambers, 4218 Waxhaw-Marvin Road.
• 2026 Historic Preservation Commission Regular Meeting Schedule - Adopted 12.09.2025

The Waxhaw Historic Landmark Standards provides property owners and the Historic Preservation Commission with a written tool for planning and reviewing applications for construction and alterations of Historic Landmarks, as well as design guidelines for all historic structures within Waxhaw.

The Parks, Cultural & Recreation Advisory Board (PCR) consists of nine (9) regular members. The PCR is an advisory board that works with town staff to assist with Waxhaw’s most visible quality of life initiatives. Committee members conduct research, assist with park/trail designs, implement Waxhaw’s public art plan, promote Waxhaw-centric cultural & recreational activities, and ensure equitable distribution of amenities for all residents. This board also assists with identifying future opportunities for park development and recreational needs.

• Appointment Process – Applicants are vetted by the Clerk's Office, interviewed by the Organizational Advisory Board and considered for appointment by the Board of Commissioners.
• Term – 3 year staggered, except when unexpired terms are filled due to unexpected vacated seats.
• Residency Requirement – None
• Meets – Third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Meeting Place, 209 W. South Main Street.
• 2026 Parks, Cultural & Recreation Regular Meeting Schedule - Adopted 12.09.2025 

The Planning Board (PB) consists of seven (7) regular members. The PB is a statutory board that makes recommendations to the BOC on development plans including rezoning requests, conditional use permits, text amendments and major subdivision plans. The PB also makes recommendations on updates to the Waxhaw Comprehensive Plan, the long-range guiding plan for Waxhaw’s development, as well as other long-range small area plans to ensure proper planning for the future growth of Waxhaw.

The Planning Board also serves in the capacity of the Board of Adjustment (BOA), consisting of five (5) regular members and two (2) alternate members. While serving in this capacity, the board is tasked with hearing and deciding on variances to the Town of Waxhaw's Land Development Code (LDC) and appeals from the Planning & Inspections Director. In order to grant a variance, a hardship must be proved by the applicant. Decisions on appeals are based on what the board believes to be actual meaning and intent of the ordinance. Appeals from a decision rendered by the board are filed with the Superior Court.

The Planning Board shall be governed by the terms of Chapter 160D, Article 3 of the General Statues of North Carolina and the Land Development Code (LDC) of the Town of Waxhaw. All members shall thoroughly familiarize themselves with these laws.

• Appointment Process – Applicants are vetted by the Clerk's Office, interviewed by the Organizational Advisory Board and considered for appointment by the Board of Commissioners.
• Term – 3 year staggered, except when unexpired terms are filled due to unexpected vacated seats.
• Residency Requirement – 7 members must reside in the town limits.
• Meets – Third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM in the Waxhaw Town Hall Board Chambers, 4218 Waxhaw-Marvin Road.
• 2026 Planning Board Regular Meeting Schedule - Adopted 12.09.2025

The Public Art Committee (PAC) consists of five (5) regular members. The PAC is an advisory board that reviews requests for public art acquisition, display and retention for the purposes of making recommendations to the BOC for a final decision.

• Appointment Process – Applicants are vetted by the Clerk's Office, interviewed by the Organizational Advisory Board and considered for appointment by the Board of Commissioners.
• Term – 3 year staggered, except when unexpired terms are filled due to unexpected vacated seats.
• Residency Requirement – None
• Meets – 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Meeting Place, 209 W. South Main Street.
• 2026 PAC Regular Meeting Schedule - Adopted 12.09.2025.

The Waxhaw Youth Council (WYC) consists of 15 members from grades 8 through 12. The Waxhaw Youth Council is a leadership and service-oriented group of middle and high school students ages 14 through 18 who live in or attend school within the Town of Waxhaw or nearby areas. As representatives of the youth voice in our community, Youth Council members work alongside Town leaders to help shape a stronger, more connected Waxhaw.

• Appointment Process – Applicants are vetted by the Clerk's Office, interviewed by the Organizational Advisory Board and considered for appointment by the Board of Commissioners.
• Term – Staggered by grade level, except in cased of unexpired terms resulting from unexpectedly vacated seat(s). 
• Residency Requirement – None
• Meets – First Tuesday of each month at 4 p.m. in the Town Hall Board Chambers, 4218 Waxhaw-Marvin Road.
• 2026 WYC Regular Meeting Schedule - Adopted 11.10.2025