Final Planning Commission Veteran Resigns

By Jorge Casuso

Citing the new Planning Commission's "radically different approach," John Zinner submitted his resignation Thursday, leaving the seven-member commission with two empty seats.

The resignation of Zinner, who has served seven years on the powerful City commission that approves new development, came hours after two new slow-growth appointees were sworn in and former councilman Kelly Olsen was elected chair Wednesday night.

Zinner, who was then unanimously elected vice-chair, was the only commissioner left with more than one year's experience. Zinner's resignation comes less than two months after former commission chair Ken Breisch quit his post, citing an increased workload at his USC teaching post.

"The newly appointed Planning Commission majority represents a radically different approach towards the role and appropriateness of development in Santa Monica," Zinner wrote in a three-paragraph letter to Mayor Ken Genser.

"Regretfully, as I cannot agree with this departure, there is little purpose in my continuing to remain as a member," Zinner wrote. "There are no doubt better ways I can be of service to my community."

Breisch called Zinner's resignation "a major loss for the commission and the city.

"He's a very knowledgeable environmentalist who brought a lot of experience to the board," Breisch said.

Zinner's exit completes a total overhaul of the commission, with all five current members appointed by the Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights super majority on the council.

On Wednesday, the two newest appointees Geraldine Moyle and Julie Lopez Dad were sworn in as the commission's newest members. Moyle, a member of the board of the affordable housing provider Community Corporation of Santa Monica, and Dad, a former Rent Control board member, have long ties to the anti-development movement in Ocean Park.

They replaced Mathew Kanny and Eric Parlee, whose terms expired last month.

Olsen is a staunch tenant advocate and slow growth activist who for years has fought against major developments in the city.

Zinner's resignation leaves the commission without a member who has served for more than a year as it prepares to help decide the fate of two major developments - the new RAND headquarters at the Civic Center and the proposed Target store in the heart of downtown.