Covington officials have begun accepting applications for appointment to a vacancy on the city’s Planning Commission.

The vacancy was created by the death June 19 of Bill Blair, who’d been a commission member since 2006.

Aug. 20 is the deadline to apply. The City Council is scheduled to appoint a new member at its Aug. 26 meeting after interviewing applicants.

Application forms are available at City Hall and from the city’s Web site at www.ci.covington.wa.us.

City officials said applicants should be interested in environmental affairs, planning, land-use and residential and commercial development.

The commission’s seven members, all appointed by the council, provide direction for Covington’s growth through reviews of the city’s land-use plan, zoning regulations, shoreline management, environmental protection and related land-use documents.

The commission meets on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the City Hall.