Contact: Supervisor Warren Slocum, 4th District, San Mateo County V: 650.363.4570 F: 650.366.6720 E: wslocum@smcgov.org

Alternate: Carol Marks, Chief of Staff V: 650.599.1009 F: 650.366.6720 E: cmarks@smcgov.org (Redwood City, CA)

Today, upon my recommendation, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the appointment of Manuel Ramirez to the San Mateo County Planning Commission. Mr. Ramirez is believed to be the first Latino appointee in the history of the County’s Planning Commission. He will represent the 4th Supervisorial District on the Planning Commission; his term commences immediately and will expire on January 10, 2017.

The San Mateo County Planning Commission is authorized by County ordinance to review the County General Plan and various development regulations and make recommendations on their adoption or amendment by the County Board of Supervisors. The Commission is also charged with reviewing and acting upon various development permits issued by the County. The County Planning Commission's jurisdiction is generally limited to the unincorporated areas of the County (outside city limits). Each city in the County has its own planning commission. Mr. Ramirez, a 22-year resident of North Fair Oaks, is the owner of his own construction company and familiar with all aspects of residential projects through design, permitting and construction, serving as the interface between clients and the Planning and Building departments of cities and counties within the greater Bay Area. Mr. Ramirez is currently a Councilmember and the former Chair of the North Fair Oaks Community Council, serves on the Latino Leadership Council of Redwood City, the Nativity School Men’s Club, and previously served on the North Fair Oaks Festival Committee organized by Sheriff Munks. He was an active member of the steering committee that created the North Fair Oaks Community Plan, a blueprint of the community’s vision to revitalize of North Fair Oaks, including land use, housing, health, parks and recreation and infrastructure. That plan was approved by the Board of Supervisors in 2012 and recently began its Implementation Phase.

On a personal note, Mr. Ramirez is married to Lorraine Barrales, the father of two young daughters and he is bilingual in English and Spanish. “I am confident that Manuel Ramirez will be a strong voice on the Planning Commission. His background uniquely qualifies him to understand the many issues that are heard by the Planning Commission. Manuel will treat all parties fairly and honestly. He listens carefully, asks thoughtful questions, weighs complex matters and helps a group reach consensus. As a resident, community leader and small business owner from North Fair Oaks, Manuel is a known and trusted community member who understands the significance of the North Fair Oaks Community Plan and the impact that it will have on future of the area, appreciates the planning process, speaks Spanish, and will make the residents of this predominantly Hispanic neighborhood feel welcome and understood. He is the right person at the right time to hold this post,” said Slocum.

“The Implementation Phase of the North Fair Oaks Plan began in 2013 and will continue for the next several years. The last time the Board adopted a Community Plan for North Fair Oaks was 1979. The area has changed dramatically since then,” Slocum noted.

The San Mateo County Planning Commission meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Meetings are usually held in the Board of Supervisors Chambers, Hall of Justice, 400 County Center, Redwood City. Agendas are set for each meeting and posted on the Planning and Building website, http://planning.smcgov.org/; minutes are recorded for actions taken and posted on the website as well.

------------ Supervisor Slocum represents the 4th District in San Mateo County that includes the communities of East Palo Alto, Redwood City, the portion of Menlo Park that is east of El Camino Real and the unincorporated community of North Fair Oaks.