Community Corner

Who Wants to Be the Next Planning Commissioner? Many, Apparently

Sixteen people have applied for three seats on the powerful Planning Commission, which reviews design and land-use issues including new developments, the Argus Courier is reporting.

Current commissioners Melissa Abercrombie and Dennis Elias have said they will not apply again, while Commissioner Alicia Kae Herries is resigning because she is moving out of town.

The new applicants include former councilwoman Tiffany Renee, J.T. Wick, a former Marin County planning commissioner and principal at Berg Holdings at Port Sonoma, Richard Marzo, president of Lace House Linen and Houston Porter, a recent law school grad and former Cinnabar board member.

Find out what's happening in Petalumawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Less well-known applicants include David Powers, Daryl Johnson, Jocelyn Yeh Lin, Robert Mohit, Eric Patterson, Jasper Lewis-Gehring, Manuel Mendes, Blake Hooper, Terry Kosewic and Roger Blumenthal.

Commissioners Bill Wolpert, an architect specializing in “green” design, and Ray Johnson, a retired telecommunications executive, will stay on. Commissioner Jennifer Pierre, as a consultant on water issues, will apply again.

Find out what's happening in Petalumawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Since 2009, the commission’s members tilted more toward a slower-growth philosophy. Despite that, major development projects were approved, including the Washington Place and Deer Creek shopping centers. 

The new commissioners will be reviewing major developments including a plan to build new homes at Western and Windsor and a large mixed use development along the Petaluma River (at Caulfield) that aims to build a hotel, more than 200 units of new housing, commercial and office space.

To read more, pick up a copy of this week's Argus Courier.

 


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