Planning commissioner resigns after changing ZIP Codes

Jennifer Kho

COSTA MESA -- In a decision that she said was a surprise even to

herself, Planning Commissioner Katie Wilson resigned Thursday.

“I very much enjoyed contributing to the city,” said Wilson, a

commissioner for more than two years and a Costa Mesa resident for five.

“I believe I contributed to the enhancement and quality of life in Costa

Mesa, and I’ll miss being able to participate that way.”

Wilson had moved to Seal Beach temporarily because hazardous mold was

growing in her Costa Mesa home. While she was there, Wilson saw a home

for sale in the Surfside Colony that was “a very good value,” she said,

so she bought it.

Planning commissioners are required to live in the city, so Wilson had

to resign when she decided to make the move.

Wilson, also the environmental services manager for the city of

Cerritos, said she will miss Costa Mesa.

“I love Costa Mesa and hopefully someday I will be back, but this was

a very good investment opportunity on the beach, so I took advantage of

it,” she said. “It was a tough decision to leave Costa Mesa. I really

enjoyed working with the Planning Commission and the City Council. Costa

Mesa is such an eclectic community, and I like the variety. I like that

everyone fits in. . . . You get a real feeling of acceptance no matter

what type of person you are.”

Other planning commissioners said they would miss her.

“She was very, very great to work” with, Chairwoman Katrina Foley

said. “I will definitely miss her. She had an understanding of land use,

based on her dealings with her job at the city of Cerritos. She’s very

forthright and says it how it is, which is good.”

Bruce Garlich, who joined the commission after the City Council

selected commissioners in a new and messy process in February, said

Wilson has helped him feel comfortable as a new commissioner.

“She’s been a big help to me, and I appreciate all the advice,” he

said. “She’s not afraid to take a position and defend it. She’s an

independent thinker. She does her homework, thinks things through and,

when she makes a decision, she sticks to her guns.”

Wilson is the second planning commissioner to resign in less than a

year.

Former Commissioner Chris Fewel, who resigned in December, said he

remembers the hands-on knowledge she brought to the commission.

“It was always helpful to get insight into how another city deals with

similar issues,” he said. “I thought she was fair and had a pretty good

ability to explain herself and her position. She wasn’t too terribly

reserved in giving her opinion, and I think that’s good. This is Seal

Beach’s gain and our loss.”

Wilson said she is sure she will be active in the Seal Beach

community, although she hasn’t decided whether she will apply for another

planning commission position.

“I strongly feel that residents should be involved and that doesn’t

have to be in a paid commission appointment,” she said. “Wherever I live,

I feel I have a responsibility to be part of the growth, development and

maintenance of that community in some way.”

The toughest part of being on the commission was being in situations

where it was impossible to please everyone.

“Sometimes, no matter which way you go, you are going to have a group

of people angry at you,” she said. “It’s also frustrating when you see

something that needs to be changed and you can’t change it because laws

don’t give you the authority.”

But Wilson said she will also remember the most enjoyable part of the

position: working as part of a team.

“There were moments that we had that [teamwork], and it was

encouraging when every person’s motive was to make the community great. I

really liked working with other commissioners and council members on

projects that were going to benefit the community and then seeing them

benefit the community.”

KATIE WILSON

AGE: 37

OCCUPATION: Environmental services manager for city of Cerritos

FAMILY: Husband Craig and stepson Kyle

EDUCATION: Master’s degree in public policy from Cal State Long Beach