Councilmember Pierce Cleared to Hear Clayton Community Church Project

Clayton's longest serving council member has been cleared to vote with the city council when it decides one the most controversial issues the city has faced in years.

Julie Pierce's impartiality on the Clayton Community Church project was questioned by former planning commissioner Ted Meriam. , Meriam suggested that Pierce's Tiffen Drive home might be too close to the proposed downtown project, which would lead to a conflict of interest.

Pierce sought clarification on the issue by requesting an analysis by California's Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC). The commission said the location of Pierce's home did not create a disqualifying conflict of interest and that Pierce could make decisions concerning the church's proposal. (You can read a summary of the letter by clicking the PDF file to above.)

Meriam's own home, located on Oak Street, was deemed too close to the downtown Community Church site by the FPPC for him to make decisions on the planning commission. The City Council decided not to renew Meriam's term on the planning commission, mainly because of his conflict concerning the church project and other potential downtown projects.

The City Council is expected to make a final decision on the Clayton Community Church proposal later this year.