Georgetown council appoints members to Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment amid questions about local representation

The Georgetown Town Council voted to fill vacancies on two advisory bodies: it appointed Crystal Katz and Thomas Allen to two Planning Commission seats and approved three nominees for the Board of Adjustment.

Town staff reported there were two Planning Commission terms expiring or two vacancies and three letters of interest: Crystal Katz, Lance Meares, and Thomas Allen. After discussion, a motion to appoint Crystal Katz and Thomas Allen carried on a roll-call vote.

One council member asked how long Lance Meares had served on the Planning Commission; staff said the information was not available during the meeting. Council members debating the appointments said they wanted broader civic participation and noted a forthcoming code rewrite that would benefit from additional commissioners. During public comment, a resident questioned whether appointee Thomas Allen is a local resident; staff and commenters said Allen has a construction background but indicated he is not a lifelong Georgetown resident.

The Board of Adjustment appointment proceeded with three nominees — Anthony Cline, Jane Hovington and Tom Baker — and council moved them forward to fill three openings. Both appointment items were approved by roll call without recorded dissent.

Council and staff did not identify any formal disqualifying actions against any candidate; the council recorded its intention to have the Planning Commission available for the upcoming code rewrite effort and to encourage broader participation in town boards.