Politics & Government

Three Appointed to Planning Commission

Council chooses Hoag, Avila and McGallian; deadline extended for other city boards and commissions.

Three new members were appointed to the Concord Planning Commission this week, as the City Council tapped incumbent Robert Hoag and newcomers Ernesto Avila and Tim McGallian to serve two-year terms ending February 2013.

The three were selected from a field of 19. Interviews were held March 1 and March 7.

Hoag, a retired corporate businessman and recent City Council candidate, was first appointed to the commission in 2008 and has lived in Concord for 28 years. Avila, who owns his own civil engineering firm, will come to the Planning Commission from the Design Review Board where he has served since 2008.

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McGallian, an insurance underwriter, is a member of the board of the Concord Chamber of Commerce and has served as chair of its Government Affairs and Economic Development Committee. Hoag, Avila and McGallian will join commissioners John Mercurio and Gene Sylls for the first time at the meeting on March 16.

The five-member Planning Commission makes recommendations to the City Council regarding proposed General Plan amendments and municipal code modifications, and reviews planned district developments, tentative subdivision maps, and use permit applications. Meetings are held in the City Council Chambers on the first and third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m.

Find out what's happening in Concordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

After the selection, the Council decided to extend recruitment period for applicants to the Appeals Board, Design Review Board and Personnel Board and set Friday, March 25 at 5 p.m. as the deadline for applications.

The Appeals Board is comprised of up to five members. Three positions are currently vacant. Members of the Appeals Board interpret State law and Uniform Codes on construction standards for the City.  Board members make a determination of suitable alternate materials and methods of construction and hear appeals of orders, decisions, interpretations and determinations made by the City Building Official.  Meetings are held on an infrequent basis.

The Design Review Board has four open seats. The City is seeking applications to fill three design professional positions and one public member position. The board reviews the design of any development for which design review is required by City ordinance and any matter referred to the board by the Planning Commission, Zoning Administrator, or Planning Manager.  Members serve staggered terms and the public member must be a resident of Concord.  Meetings are held the second and fourth Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in the Permit Center Conference Room located at the Civic Center, 1950 Parkside Drive.

The Personnel Board has three open seats for two-year terms. The Board receives and hears appeals and grievances, and as directed by Council, conducts hearings on personnel matters, gathers information and data, and provides written reports of findings. Meetings are scheduled on an as-needed basis.

 Applications may be obtained at the , 1950 Parkside Drive, or requested by calling 925-671-3495. Application forms are also available on the City’s website.  


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