Planning Board Committee Discusses Possible Merger with Community Council

In its first meeting Thursday afternoon, the Rancho Bernardo Community Planning Board’s bylaws adhoc subcommittee appointed new officers and discussed whether revisions need to be made to the board, including a possible merger with the Community Council.

During the session, which was held at the , the six board members addressed different concerns regarding the bylaws, though they also discussed how each leader feels about a merger with the Community Council and whether its leaders would consider it.

“This is a good idea that has never taken place,” said the subcommitte's newly appointed Vice Chair Lou Dell’Angela, who noted that the leaders could work together.

The committee also appointed Fred Gahm as secretary, and Planning Board Chair Teri Denlinger as the subcommittee's head.

The Planning Board at its decided to create the adhoc bylaws subcommittee to explore making changes to the group's bylaws. Thursday was the first time the committee had met.

Bylaw amendments considered varied among board members, though most agreed an “informal” discussion with the Community Council should be held to discuss whether a merger would be beneficial to Rancho Bernardo.

 “Combining the groups would be fantastic,” said board member John Woods, noting that some Community Council members have also discussed the idea.

Dell’Angela said he would pose the idea to the Community Council.

Other topics discussed among the six board members regarding revisions to the bylaws included:

• A succession plan.
• Time frame of the next board meeting.
• Number of representatives per district.
• Prohibiting talks among two board members during meetings that do not pertain to the agenda item, as board member Peter Tereschuck noted at one meeting he heard one board member say to another “that’s stupid” during public comment.

The board members plan to review the bylaws over the course of the next few weeks, which Denlinger said was necessary for the year.

The meeting to discuss possible bylaw revisions was not set, though board members expect it to be in the next three weeks when they’ve had more time to review the bylaws.

Editor's Note: This story has been updated to correct the name of John Woods, who had been identified as Joe Woods. The story also now clarifies that this was a subcommittee meeting, not a special meeting of the entire Planning Board.