S.D. Businessman on Coastal Panel

Gilbert Contreras, a prominent San Diego County builder and businessman, was appointed Thursday to the California Coastal Commission, replacing Marshall Grossman, a Los Angeles lawyer and environmentalist whose second two-year term on the commission expired last year.

Grossman, who had served 4 1/2 years on the commission and had indicated an interest in a third term, said he told the state Senate Rules Committee last Friday that he was resigning after he “understood that there was a desire for my term to end.”

“Those on the commission who’ve shown a great deal of concern for the preservation of the coast have gradually been replaced in recent times,” Grossman said. “That is of some concern to me,” he said, adding that “it would have been my preference to continue serving on the commission.”

Contreras dismissed fears that he would be insufficiently concerned about the environment because he is a builder.

“I think there is a place for development so long as it is in harmony with the environment,” Contreras said, rejecting the label of pro-development. “I want to take each individual project into consideration and make my decisions based on that. If I’m pro-anything, I’m pro-California.”

Contreras’ candidacy was sponsored by Sen. Wadie P. Deddeh (D-Chula Vista), a supporter of Senate President Pro Tem David A. Roberti. Roberti heads the five-member Rules Committee, which approved Contreras’ appointment by an undisclosed vote. The Coastal Commission is made up of 12 members whose nominations are divided evenly among the governor, the Assembly speaker and the Senate president.

Environmentalists expressed concern about the switch on the commission, which is charged with protecting California’s 1,000-mile coast. Roberti has been accused recently of using new appointments to solidify his power base after an unsuccessful attempt by Sen. John Garamendi (D-Walnut Grove) in January to oust Roberti as Senate leader.

“We lose a strong environmentalist vote (in Grossman)--one of the last four or five we can count on,” said Ann Notthoff of the Natural Resources Defense Council in San Francisco. “This just further weakens the environment’s support on the commission. We see no policy considerations involved in Grossman’s removal. It’s purely a political move.”

Contreras is an owner of Contreras Brothers Construction Co., Pacific Beach Toyota and San Diego Television Inc. (Channel 69). Roberti on Thursday described Contreras as a third-generation San Diegan, an advocate for small business and an active participant in community, educational, business and professional groups.

Contreras and his brother, Sal, have been described as among the most successful minority-group businessmen in San Diego County. In 1982, they were hired by the county to recruit minorities to help build the East County Regional Center in El Cajon, and their firm has received county construction projects.

Deddeh said he sponsored Contreras because he is a successful, self-made businessman.