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Planning Commission appoints Fred Kenyon to South County LUAC despite household-member concern
Summary
The Monterey County Planning Commission voted unanimously Aug. 27 to appoint Fred Kenyon to the South County Land Use Advisory Committee, raising discussion about having two household members on the same LUAC and the need to restore a working quorum.
The Monterey County Planning Commission voted unanimously Aug. 27 to appoint Fred Kenyon to the South County Land Use Advisory Committee, bringing that LUAC’s active membership to four.
Commissioners discussed whether appointing a second member from the same household could pose conflicts or procedural issues but concluded the appointment was warranted to restore the advisory committee to a working number. Commissioner Gomez moved to approve the appointment; Commissioner Mendoza seconded and the measure carried unanimously.
The matter was flagged to commissioners as having a potential appearance-of-conflict because one existing South County LUAC member is married to the candidate. County staff told the commission the appointment does not create an outright legal conflict but noted practical concerns and asked the commission to consider the potential risks of two household members serving together.
“I personally do not think it would be an issue with these two people,” Commissioner Kitzelma said, adding that she had discussed county counsel’s concerns with the nominees and believed they would “be very considerate and careful about their deliberations.” Commissioner Roberts said the practical problem was that LUACs need five members before they can meet substantively and that restoring membership was a priority.
Commissioners discussed training and oversight. County staff and a commissioner referenced an offer to provide Brown Act and LUAC training; commissioners asked county counsel to reach out directly to the appointee and the existing member to brief them on applicable rules and risks. Commissioner Diehl said she supported recording the applicants’ offer to plant screening and other neighborly commitments in the record rather than treating the commission as enforcing those offers.
With commissioners expressing a desire both to avoid precedent-setting and to restore functionality to the LUAC, the commission approved Fred Kenyon’s appointment without further conditions.
The commission moved on to its next scheduled matters after the unanimous vote.
