Cerritos Planning Commissioner guest speaker at local political club meeting

By Larry Caballero

By the time Hubert Humphrey Democratic Club members left their General Meeting Jan. 17, they knew exactly what a Planning Commissioner does. “My powers, duties and responsibilities as an advisory board member are to establish policies for the growth and development of our city,” said Chen. “But that isn’t always an easy task.”
Chen remembers having to excuse herself from one public hearing because of a possible conflict of interest when her neighbor across the street wanted to do a room addition. “Someone could always accuse a member of winking or gesturing to fellow Commissioners on how they should vote on a particular issue unless he or she steps outside.”
One family had hired a painting company that did not ask the City about the codes and standards that apply to painting a residential property. The color was not on the City’s official palette. Consequently, the Commission by a 4-1 vote required the family to repaint the home.
“I was the one who disagreed with the decision. The family didn’t know that only certain colors are allowed. Yet the family had no other recourse.
Commissioners and Committee members are appointed by the Councilmembers and serve at the pleasure of the Council. “We can be removed at any time,” said Chen. Yet the members usually are allowed to serve so long as the Councilmember has not been termed out. Chen is the appointee of Mayor Pro-Tem Laura Lee who will be stepping down after serving her two full terms once the March 8 election winners are known.