Applications for Tustin City Planning Commissioner are due Tuesday, September 25, 2012. The opening is to fill the unexpired term left by the resignation of Chuck Puckett who left the commission to run for city council. The term ends in March, 2012 and may be renewed at the pleasure of the council. Compesation is $150 per regular meeting of the commission and they typically meet twice a month or less.

So far, according to the City Clerk’s office, there are two pending applications. She declined to give us names until the applications close and the names have been checked for eligibility. We should have that information later this week.

Planning Commissioner is a high profile position whose authority extends to hearing issues of planning and some zoning. They are the first stop for any business asking to build or remodel. According to the Tustin website:

The Planning Commission’s primary responsibilities include:

Preparing and making recommendations to the City Council on the City’s Comprehensive Plan regarding development;

• Considering and making recommendations to the City Council on zoning map and zoning ordinance changes;
• Reviewing and making recommendations to the City Council on subdivisions, on appeals on variances and use permits; and
• Considering other policies and programs affecting development and land use in Tustin for final City Council action.

The Planning Commission is also a springboard for anyone wishing to eventually run for City Council as they work closely with the city staff and the city council on items that directly affect the city plan. As mentioned before, Chuck Puckett is a former planning commissioner as are many of our fomer councilmembers. Face it, it looks good on the resume′.

Time is running out. If you are considering an application to the Tustin Planning Commission, you can find it here. And, although they have a “fact sheet” for the Planning Commission here, it is sadly lacking in the details of what the commission does. You can find better information  on that here.