Sebastopol appoints land use consultants to Planning Commission

Land use consultants Scot Stegeman and Russ Pinto were appointed to the Sebastopol Planning Commission on Tuesday.

The two were praised by the council for their long experience in land use planning, which are beneficial attributes as the city gets ready to update the General Plan for the first time in 20 years.

"With the General Plan update coming, we need people who can hit the ground running," said Councilman John Eder.

"The work will be voluminous and very important," said Councilwoman Sarah Gurney.

Eder, Gurney, Mayor Michael Kyes and Vice Mayor Robert Jacob voted for the two applicants.

Councilman Patrick Slayter cast the lone no vote, saying that after looking at the makeup of the present commission, he thought some divergent views were necessary.

"The planning commission needs to represent the entire community," Slayter said. "Too many folks with the same vision isn't good for any of us."

Slayter nominated Craig Boblitt, who is retired and a member of the Design Review Board, and John Henel, a retired software engineer.

The other applicant to the Planning Commission was architect Craig Williams.

Stegeman and Pinto are taking the seats that were held by Vice Mayor Jacob, who was chairman of the planning commission before being elected to the City Council, and by Clare Najarian, who did not seek re-appointment.

You can reach Staff Writer Bob Norberg at 521-5206 or bob.norberg@pressdemocrat.com.