Monterey Park : Planning Board Ouster Fails

Councilman Barry L. Hatch, citing Planning Commissioner Stephen Tan’s involvement in the unsuccessful campaign to recall Hatch and two other council members last year, failed on Monday to persuade the City Council to remove Tan from his post.

From the time Mayor Christopher F. Houseman appointed Tan in March, Hatch has been calling for Tan’s resignation. But on Monday, Hatch was unable to persuade any of his colleagues to support his motion to oust Tan.

Of the five positions on the Planning Commission, only four are filled. George Ristic, also opposed to Tan’s membership on the planning board, resigned as a commissioner last month, shortly after losing his bid for a seat on the City Council. “I wanted a rest from (the commission),” Ristic said.