Governance committee recommends five planning commission applicants to full City Council

The San Antonio City Council Governance Committee on Feb. 17, 2025, voted to recommend five applicants to the full City Council for appointment to the Planning Commission after interviewing nine candidates for five at‑large seats.

The committee recommended Samer Dasuki, George Peck, Matthew Prophet, Jacob Sanchez and Meredith Siegel be forwarded to the full council for consideration, Mayor Ron Nirenberg said after a motion and a second and a voice vote approving the recommendation.

The committee held in‑person interviews with five applicants and noted three additional applicants had submitted written statements in the meeting packet. Applicants who appeared in person gave two‑minute opening statements and answered questions from committee members about their experience and priorities for planning in San Antonio.

Among those who spoke during interviews, applicant Corin Hooper said he would bring professional planning experience to the commission. "I have a bachelor's of science in regional development from the University of Arizona and a master's in city and regional planning from the Georgia Institute of Technology," Hooper said in his opening statement, and later described his work background as a noise analyst at Joint Base San Antonio–Lackland and prior employment with the City's Development Services Department.

Longer‑serving commissioner Matthew Prophet, who sought reappointment, told the committee he has served on the Planning Commission since 2020 and said the body balances staff recommendations, technical review and public input when making recommendations to City Council. "Two things can be true. We can grow and we can preserve," Prophet said, summarizing his view on managing development.

Applicants highlighted transit‑oriented development, outreach to communities experiencing rapid change on the South Side, and balancing affordability with neighborhood character as priorities. Several council members asked candidates about their perspectives on transit‑oriented development and on planning challenges tied to the South Side's recent growth near institutions such as Palo Alto College and Texas A&M‑San Antonio.

Before interviewing applicants, committee members noted nine initial applicants with one withdrawal; the committee then recessed into executive session to deliberate on appointments and legal issues. After returning, Councilmember Cabello Haverda moved to forward the five names to the full council; the motion received a second and carried on a voice vote.

The committee also approved the meeting minutes from Jan. 15, 2025, at the start of the session.

The recommended names will be considered by the full City Council at a future meeting; the Governance Committee did not make final appointments.

Reported speakers and applicants include Mayor Ron Nirenberg; Councilmembers Rocha Garcia and Cabello Haverda; and applicants Corin Hooper, Matthew Prophet (seeking reappointment), Jacob Sanchez, Meredith Siegel, Mary Ann Smith, Samer Dasuki, George Peck and Tomasia Resti. Staff noted three applicants submitted written statements that were included in the meeting packet for committee review.