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Escalon council appoints three to Planning Commission after interviews from five applicants
Summary
After interviewing five candidates for three expiring seats, Escalon City Council appointed Roxanna Gonzales, Barbara Willis and Steve Castellanos to the Planning Commission; councilors discussed incumbency, experience and fits for a concurrently created economic development committee.
The Escalon City Council on June 16 appointed three residents to the Planning Commission following candidate interviews and public comment.
The council filled three expiring seats after interviewing five applicants in a public interview process. Councilors voted to appoint Roxanna Gonzales, Barbara Willis and Steve Castellanos to four‑year terms on the Planning Commission.
The interviews included questions about balancing strict code compliance and community expectations, responses to lobbying from developers, and whether candidates could commit to the time required for monthly meetings and packet review. Applicants presented varied backgrounds: Barbara Willis is a long‑serving planning commissioner and said she would continue to devote time for training and site visits; Rita (Margaret) “Rita” Long described experience in public affairs and emphasized transparency and team deliberation; Roxanna Gonzales cited experience in real estate, development and construction and said she would support strategic, balanced growth.
Council discussion showed a preference among some members to retain experienced commissioners; others favored adding newer voices to reflect changing demographics. Multiple residents spoke in support of absent applicant Steve Castellanos and of Nick Abbigacion (an applicant not seated). Councilors said the choices were difficult but ultimately appointed the three members and welcomed them to their roles. The council also noted two absent applicants and agreed to treat absence from the interview as not an automatic disqualifier.
Councilors said the planning commission remains important for land‑use decisions and for advising on the city’s general plan and zoning. Several members reminded applicants that state mandates (for example on accessory dwelling units) can limit local discretion and that commissioners must apply municipal code and general plan policies when hearing applications.
Appointments were made by motion and carried at the meeting; councilors did not set a special training schedule at the session but asked city staff to ensure appointees receive orientation materials and meeting schedules.
