Attorney Named to Area Planning Panel

Mayor Richard Riordan on Thursday made his first seven appointments to seven new area planning commissions approved by voters last year, including attorney Darren Robert Martinez to the South Valley Area Planning Commission.

Other appointments include Laurie H. Weir and Jose L. Huizar to the East Area panel, George Luk to the Metro Area panel, Donna Andrews to the South Area panel, Matthew S. Rodman to the West Area panel and John Roger Wallace to the Harbor Area panel.

The five-person panels, created as part of an overhaul of the city charter to bring decision-making closer to affected neighborhoods, are scheduled to begin operation July 1.

They will handle local issues not under the jurisdiction of an expanded citywide Planning Commission.