New Leadership Tapped For Lake Elsinore Planning Commission

Lake Elsinore is facing what’s being touted as a very busy year ahead in terms of development activity in the city, and new leaders will take the reins on steering through it.

As part of the Lake Elsinore Planning Commission’s annual reorganization process, a new commission chair and vice chair were tapped Tuesday night.

With a 5-0 vote, David Blake was approved as chairman by the commissioners; a 4-0 vote put John Gray in the vice chair seat. The reorganization is immediate; Gray abstained from the vice chair vote.

Both Blake and Gray were appointed to the planning commission last July. They replace Chairman Rick Morsch and Vice Chairman Mike O’Neal, both of whom remain on the commission. Commissioner Shelly Jordan makes up the fifth member; she returned to the dais last night after being out for approximately two months due to shoulder surgery.

The planning commissioners serve four-year terms but can be reappointed by council members. Each year, the commissioners reorganize and appoint their leadership by nomination and vote. 

O’Neal nominated Blake.

Morsch agreed with the appointment, saying Blake has demonstrated great judgment and assessment, and he’s not afraid to disagree.

When the Gray nomination was offered by Blake, O'Neal tapped his knuckles on the dais and nodded his head in obvious affirmation.

Morsch followed the reorganization with praise for all his colleagues.

“This is an involved commission,” he said, noting the entire body comes to meetings “100 percent prepared.”

The year ahead is expected to be hectic for the five commissioners. Dozens of projects are on the table for the city, including an array of housing starts and commercial projects.

“It’s going to be busy,” Morsch said.