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Planning position open in Highland
BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER
MONTEREY - A vacancy exists on the Highland County Planning Commission. Crysta Stanton declined reappointment to the commission and her term expired Dec. 31. The board of supervisors appoints individuals to the five-member commission to four-year terms.
Citizens may contact the county administrator at 468- 2347 if they would like to serve on the planning commission.
"I would prefer to appoint a woman to the position," said Highland County supervisor Robin Sullenberger at last week's board meeting. "That doesn't mean I wouldn't look at any and all possibilities."
"Can the county administrator serve?" supervisor Jerry Rexrode asked. "She can bring a lot of perspective to the board.
"You've got to look at whole lot of things to who you appoint," he continued. "They've got to be open minded."
Supervisor David Blanchard agreed Lambert is experienced. "We need someone who is aware of how demanding this position can be," he said.
Lambert has completed planning commission training.
Rexrode said he had heard of other people who were interested in the position. Sullenberger said he heard from two potential candidates; planning commission member and former chair Jim Cobb told him of three candidates. Blanchard was unaware a list of candidates existed. Lambert said no formal list exists, and she is not certain that all of those under consideration were even aware they were being considered.
"This position is important," said Sullenberger. "A commission member has to make a commitment to this and be available." He said planner Doug Gutshall, commission chairman, is an example of an ideal candidate and member.
"Doug Gutshall has put a lot of effort into this," Sullenberger said. "If you are not willing to be objective in any and all subjects … Get someone who is fair, competent and willing."
The planning commission meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month at the Highland Modular Conference Center in Monterey. The commission advises the board of supervisors, town council and board of zoning appeals on matters relating to county zoning administration, but does not have authority to take action independently. That is left to the governing bodies and the BZA.
Members work closely with the county zoning administrator, Jim Whitelaw, and most recently, were directly involved in the review and preparation of a draft update to the comprehensive plan. This year, members might begin work on a revision to the zoning and subdivision ordinances.
Once a year, the commission reviews existing conditional uses permits, considers initial requests for conditional uses and variances and makes recommendations to the appropriate governing body. The commission also holds public hearings to solicit opinion on proposed requests for conditional uses, variances and changes to zoning ordinances. Members attend formal planning commission training and seminars.
State law says a local planning commission member shall be a "resident of the locality, qualified by knowledge and experience to make decisions on questions of community growth and development." At least half of the members shall be owners of real property. The law also allows one member of the local governing body and one member of the local administrative branch of government to be planning commission members.
The board postponed action on filling the position until the Feb. 5 board meeting.
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