DEPARTMENT: Development Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Michael Shannon, PE, CBO
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Consider applicants for and possibly make appointments to or interview candidates for the Planning Commission Technical Advisory Committee (PCTAC), to include receiving the recommendation of the PCTAC Nominating Committee
SUMMARY:
The PCTAC currently has openings for several regular members and alternates across several categories. This agenda item is to allow the Planning Commission to consider the applicants for these positions, with the advice of the PCTAC Nominating Committee.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The PCTAC is established to advise the Planning Commission on matters relating to the Unified Development Code, Major Thoroughfare Plan, and Transportation Plan.
The Committee shall consist of eighteen members. Three members shall be appointed from the Planning Commission, one member shall be appointed from the following boards: Zoning Commission, Board of Adjustment and the Parks and Recreation Board.
The other twelve members, who shall be considered non-City Official voting members, shall consist of:
• two (2) development or real estate professionals
• three (3) registered professional engineers
• one (1) planning professional (AICP certification must remain current during the term of office)
• one (1) registered architect
• one (1) member specifically representing environmental and/or historic preservation interests, and
• four (4) representatives of the community at-large who shall not qualify under any of the active professional membership categories (real estate/development, engineering, planning, architectural) nor have an economic interest in land development activities.
The members shall be appointed by resolution of the Planning Commission for overlapping two-year terms. Appointees must reside within the City of San Antonio or its extraterritorial jurisdiction provided that at least nine reside within the corporate limits of San Antonio.
Applications for the open seats were accepted from February 15, 2021 to March 8, 2021, and the deadline was extended to April 8, 2021 to receive more applications for the Community Representative positions, which exceeds the minimum two week application timeframe as required in the PCTAC establishment and governance document. The open positions consist of the following categories:
• Environmental/Historic - 1 Primary
• Registered Professional Engineer - 2 Primaries & 1 Alternate
• Registered Architect - 1 Primary & 1 Alternate
• Development/Real Estate Professional - 1 Primary & 1 Alternate
• Community Representative - 2 Primaries
The Planning Commission Nominating Committee was appointed by the Planning Commission on March 10, 2021 and met via virtual meetings to review the applications of the candidates on March 25, 2021 and on April 8, 2021. The nominating committee consisted of Chair Connie Gonzalez, Vice Chair George Peck, and Commissioner Christopher Garcia. The nominating committee makes the following recommendations:
• Phillip Manna | Community Representative Primary*
• Erik Estrada | Community Representative Primary
• Ashley Farrimond | Development/Real Estate Professional Primary
• Juan Fernandez | Development/Real Estate Professional Alternate*
• Cara Tackett | Registered Professional Engineer Primary*
• Bob Liesman | Registered Professional Engineer Primary*
• Armando Niebla | Registered Professional Alternate
• Robert Hanley | Registered Architect Primary*
• Monica Savino | Registered Architect Alternate
• Cherise Bell | Environmental/Historic Preservation Primary*
* Indicates incumbent for that category
Once the recommendation from the nominating committee has been reviewed by the Planning Commission, the Chair of the Planning Commission shall call for a motion to either hold interviews or elections. Voting shall be by voice vote. The Chair shall call for nominations (for interview or election) for each vacancy, taking the vote on the vacancy of each nomination in the order in which it was received. Once all nominations have been received, the Chair shall close the nomination process. The Planning Commission may consider any of the applicants.
ISSUE:
The Planning Commission must make the following appointments:
• Environmental/Historic category - 1 Primary
• Registered Professional Engineer - 2 Primaries & 1 Alternate
• Registered Architect - 1 Primary & 1 Alternate
• Development/Real Estate Professional - 1 Primary & 1 Alternate
• Community - 2 Primaries
ALTERNATIVES:
The Planning Commission may choose to appoint members or interview candidates.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends appointing members or interviewing members in accordance with the PCTAC establishment and governance document.