Long-time city leader Linda Dietrich leaving town
Linda Dietrich, who served on the Laguna Beach Planning Commission for the last 12 years, is leaving three months early to move closer to her family.
Dietrich, whose term expires June 30, resigned effective Wednesday. She and her husband, Bob, are moving to Newbury Park to be near their daughter and her family.
Current Commissioner Norm Grossman’s term also expires June 30, and the City Council is accepting applications to fill both seats.
The Dietrichs have 12 more days in their Laguna Beach home, Linda, 65, said Wednesday.
“It’s bittersweet. I walk in Heisler Park and see all the arts projects and then walk down Ocean Avenue and see what’s happening at [the former] Big Dogs store with historic preservation,” she said. “It’s really neat to see. People care about our history here.”
Dietrich, who moved to Laguna in 1993, credited former Mayor Elizabeth Pearson with encouraging her to get involved in public service. The City Council appointed Dietrich to the Arts Commission in 1997 and she served until 2003.
Dietrich said she considered it an honor to be an arts commissioner when the First Thursdays Art Walk series began in 1998 and lauded the city for developing the cultural arts manager position, currently held by Sian Poeschl.
While on the Planning Commission, Dietrich said, she “learned about our town at every meeting, from the cell towers and parking lots” and called working on the Enhanced Mobility and Complete Streets Transition Plan a “great opportunity.”
Planning Commission Chairwoman Anne Johnson said Dietrich’s familiarity with downtown was an asset.
“She knew a lot about merchandise and business,” Johnson said. “Linda knew the stores downtown and so she had a wonderful perspective.... I will miss her a great deal. She was a wonderful colleague and became a good friend.”
Laguna Beach residents interested in serving on the Planning Commission must file an application with the city clerk by 5 p.m. April 14. The City Council will interview candidates at its April 21 meeting.
Applications can be obtained at lagunabeachcity.net or in person at City Hall at 505 Forest Ave.
The commission deals with zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations and projects related to land-use planning. Experience in land-use planning, architecture, engineering or real estate would be an asset.
Commissioners meet the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month and receive $324 monthly.
One of the appointed members will begin on May 1 and the other will begin July 1. Both will serve through June 30, 2017.