Former Planning Commissioner Wilson Honored for Service

On Thursday, July 25, the Grand Terrace Planning Commission recognized Doug Wilson during a regular Planning Commission meeting, honoring him for his years of service to the Commission and to the City of Grand Terrace. The recognition came after Wilson expressed to the City Council on June 10 his written desire to retire from his post as the Grand Terrace Planning Commission Chairman, from the Grand Terrace Planning Commission, and from the Grand Terrace Architectural Review Board effective July 10. The City Council accepted Wilson’s resignation on July 9 during a regular City Council meeting. Commissioner Tom Comstock highlighted Wilson’s skill as a planning commissioner. “He handled very difficult situations with people who were emotionally involved in these projects … with class and in good taste. He will be sorely missed.” Commissioner Robert Bailes told Wilson during the meeting, “I marvel at [you]. You know a lot, and you just amaze me at times.” Commissioner Ohm Kongtang thanked Wilson for his contributions to the City. “I’d just like to thank you for your knowledge, your insight, your vision and direction for the City of Grand Terrace,” he said. “I learned a lot from you and you’ll be missed here.” Commissioner Ryan Stephens told Wilson, “Twenty years … is a lot of time and energy dedicated to our city, so thank you.” The Planning Commission then presented Wilson a resolution for his service on behalf of the City of Grand Terrace. Wilson joined the Grand Terrace Planning Commission on July 10, 1992. Beginning March 21, 2002, Wilson was appointed to the position of Chairman, a post in which he served for 11 years and three months. In all, Wilson served as a member of the Planning Commission and of the Architectural Review Board for 21 years—the longest record of continuous service, either appointed or elected, in the City’s history. During these years, Wilson drew upon 41 years of experience in land development and construction experience—he managed construction for public and private companies throughout Southern California and in 1978, prior to becoming a resident of Grand Terrace, Wilson worked as a project manager for Griffin Development, where he managed and contracted multiple construction efforts along Grand Terrace’s easterly boundary. Since Wilson’s appointment to the Grand Terrace Planning Commission over two decades ago, he has reviewed an outstanding number of cases (over 240) including these in this small representative list: General Plan Updates, the Barton Road Specific Plan Update, Blue Mountain Villas Senior Center and Park, Grand Terrace Town Square, Dance Dimensions Studio, Hidden Gate Residential Development, Grand Canal—(42) Condominiums-Townhouses, and various other projects. Wilson commented, “Moving forward, I wish my associates on the Planning Commission the very best. It has been a pleasure to work with them and all of the citizen volunteers that have sat behind the dais.” Former Commission Vice Chairman Tom Comstock was appointed as the Planning Commission Chairman in Wilson’s place, and Commissioner Ryan Stephens was appointed as the Commission’s Vice Chairman.