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Yucaipa Planning Commission sworn in, elects Chester chair, Miller vice chair; staff holds orientation and planning training
Summary
New and returning commissioners were administered the oath, the commission elected Stacy Chester as chair and Dennis Miller as vice chair, and staff delivered a Planning Commission 101 orientation and introductions of department personnel and roles.
The Yucaipa Planning Commission opened its Feb. 5 meeting with administration of the oath of office to newly appointed commissioners and then conducted officer elections and a staff-led orientation.
City clerk-administered oaths were given at the start of the meeting. During nominations for officers, Commissioners nominated Stacy Chester for chair and Dennis Miller for vice chair. The commission voted to elect Stacy Chester as chair (4–3) and later elected Dennis Miller as vice chair by unanimous voice vote (7–0). City planner/meeting facilitator explained the nomination and roll-call process to commissioners before the votes.
After the elections, City staff introduced the Community Development and Development Services teams that will support the commission in project review. Staff identified Michael Bridal as the commission’s legal counsel (Cole Huber), Fermin Preciado as director of development services and city engineer, Katrina Conkle as associate engineer, Landon Kern as assistant city engineer, and associate planners Christian Farmer and Maddie Jordan and front-counter staff Katie Syme. A pre-recorded video message from City Manager Chris Mann welcomed commissioners and emphasized that the planning commission’s role is to evaluate proposals against the general plan, development code and sound planning principles and to adopt findings when issuing approvals or denials.
The meeting included an extended study session titled “Planning Commission 101,” in which staff reviewed the difference between legislative and quasi-judicial actions, the public hearing process, the importance of written findings, conditions of approval, CEQA responsibilities, and tips for managing public hearings and maintaining Brown Act compliance. Staff stressed the commission’s duty to base decisions on facts and policy rather than personal preference or general community sentiment and described common procedural issues such as ex parte communications and the timing of questions to applicants.
Two members of the public spoke during public comment. Martha Glubka congratulated the commissioners and urged them to keep lines of communication open with residents. Dr. Hansen Wong thanked commissioners for volunteering and urged adherence to the general plan and balanced commercial/residential development.
Staff announced an opportunity to attend the Planning Commission Academy (March 5–7 in Santa Rosa) and said the city could sponsor two commissioners to attend. The commission adjourned after general announcements.
