CLEARLAKE >> The Clearlake City Council appointed three Planning Commission members to fill out the board and allow for a quorum.
The decisions were not difficult as only three applicants filed for the positions. Two of them were commission members whose seats expired, and all three were recommended for appointment.
Carl Swanson and Russ Cremer were reappointed to their seats, as well as new member Richard Bean, a retired Pastor in Clearlake. This will be the first commission that Bean has been a part of at the city level.
Bean is a long time Clearlake resident, having lived in the city for over 30 years.
“I am concerned about the direction of our city and the importance of helping the city improve its image, especially the economic development,” Bean said.
Apart from his concerns, Bean said he is excited to be considered for the Planning Commission and is hoping to help make positive change in the city.
“It’s good to be a part of this and I want to help the city in any way I can,” Bean said.
Carl Webb, Clearlake Planning Commissioner of 16 years said he is looking forward to the full board of commissioners to help continue work on several projects.
“There’s a lot of stuff going on with the new developing businesses in the works and we need experienced commissioners to work on that kind of thing. I bring a lot to the commission with that kind of thing,” Webb said.
Cremer said he’s been on the planning commission for about “15 years less than Webb” but has a lot of experience in land use by being in real estate and a farm manager.
“I felt that I could help and I think we have a lot of important things coming up in the future,” Cremer added. “I felt I could contribute and that’s why I reapplied.”
Some of the larger projects include the Airport project and Walmart project as well as redoing of the codes in the General Plan. Decisions for the projects can be made with better more diverse input with the complete Commission Board.
On March 11, three Planning Commission seats expired. These include Commissioners Swanson, Cremer and the vacant seat left by Cheryl Hutchinson after she resigned in December. Applications for these positions were put on deadline for Feb. 16.
