Planning Commission

The San Gabriel Planning Commission is currently comprised of 5 appointed members, all of whom are highly skilled professionals in the fields of academia, architecture and design. The role of the Planning Commission is to make recommendations to the City Council, as well as make decisions on land use issues.

 The Planning Commission meets once a month on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chamber.

Norman M. Garden AIA NCARB

Chariman

Norman Garden has defined new design directions in domestic and international practice for his firm and his profession. As Vice President in the Los Angeles office of RTKL Associates Inc., Mr. Garden has created an outstanding portfolio of award winning venues including large-scale urban, mixed-use projects throughout the United States and the Pacific Rim. Integrating architecture and urban design as symbiotic elements of project development, Norm's work generates the aesthetic and functional synergy that makes his projects successful from all perspectives - the visitor, the tenant and the owner.

In an effort to give back to his community and to lend his experience in public-private partnerships,Norm was appointed by the City of San Gabriel to its Planning Commission in October of 1999. He is currently the Chairman of the City of San Gabriel Planning Commission.

Tom Klawiter

Vice-Chair

Tom Klawiter and his wife Marsha have enjoyed raising their family in San Gabriel over the last 20-plus years.  He was appointed to the San Gabriel Planning Commission in 2004.  Tom is a principal with Klawiter and Associates, an interior planning and design firm located in Los Angeles.  Tom enjoys representing his community and working with the other commissioners along with city staff to promote smart, quality development throughout the city.

James R. Porter

Commissioner

Jim is the Director of Facilities at Church of Our Saviour. He  enjoys the opportunity to interact with the people of the community in hopes of making the City of San Gabriel a better place for all to live, work, play and prosper. His thoughts on being a commissioner are expressed as follows “The elected officials and staff are always willing to give more than 100% to make this happen and I believe their ‘team spirit’ surpasses most any other city. The achievements are visible in the Mission District Specific Plan, the Valley Boulevard Neighborhoods Sustainability Plan and the Design Guidelines for both single and multi-family homes. The awards bestowed on the City and its staff proves this out. My plans for the future include continued work toward improvement in signage enforcement and support and encouragement of high quality sustainable development. It is an honor as well as a privilege to serve this fine city.

Carol Ojeda Kimbrough

Commissioner

Carol Ojeda Kimbrough is on the faculty of California State University at Fullerton in the Asian American Studies program.    Prior to joining CSUF, she worked as a consultant with the UCLA Lewis Center where she conducted research on environmental justice and labor unions.  As a Teaching Fellow, Carol taught an undergraduate seminar on The Urban Environment and Social Justice.

Carol has also worked in the public sector as a field deputy to Los Angeles City Councilmember Jackie Goldberg.  Carol was a member of the Los Angeles County Commission on Public Social Services Carol is active in the Filipino-American community.  She co-chairs an effort to bringing the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit of "100 Years of Filipino Presence in the United States" to Los Angeles.

In San Gabriel, Carol’s involvement includes serving in the PTAs at Washington Elementary School, Jefferson Middle School and Gabrielino High School.   When not teaching or attending Commission meetings, Carol relaxes by playing various string instruments such as the octavina, bandurria, guitar and ukelele.

Vince Zawodny

Commissioner

Vince Zawodny, the newest member of the Planning Commission, is Vice President of Design for the Westfield Corporation, Inc., in Los Angeles and resides in San Gabriel.   He holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree.  “I enjoy the San Gabriel community,” he says, “and am interested in making San Gabriel even better.  I believe in maintaining a pro development attitude while demanding high standards of planning and architectural excellence.”

Design Review Commission

Monica Garza

Chairperson

Monica Garza holds a B.S. degree in Architecture and is currently employed in the construction business as a project manager. She is involved with Los Angeles Unified School District as a volunteer with their Community Outreach program and is an active member of the Society of Professional Engineers. Monica wishes to serve her community in any way that she can and is happy to be a part of the Design Review Commission.

Robert Curley

Commissioner

Robert Curley has served on the San Gabriel Design Review Commission since 2000. Robert earned his BS in Landscape Architecture at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona. For over seventeen years, Robert has been with Cummings Curley and Associates, a landscape architecture firm established in 1970 providing land planning and landscape architectural services to both residential and commercial clients throughout the US. Currently he is the principal of this firm. Robert maintains his landscape architecture license in five states in addition to being certified by C.L.A.R.B.

Robert and his family currently live in San Gabriel, just blocks from the home he was born and raised in. A graduate of Washington Elementary, Jefferson Junior High and San Gabriel High School, Robert is truly a native son of San Gabriel.

In his down time, Robert and his family enjoy golf, snow skiing and spending time at the beach.

Raymond Cheng

Commissioner

Raymond Cheng earned a B.A. in Architecture from California State Polytechnic University in Pomona. He is a licensed architect and general contractor. Raymond has received numerous awards and honors for his work and contributions to the community. He is also a member of several organizations including the State Board of Architectural Examiners, West San Gabriel YMCA, East Los Angeles College Foundation Board, L.A. Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Garfield Medical Center Governing Board, State Commission for Economic Development, Advisory Council on Asia, American Institute of Architects, and the Rotary Club. His position as a Design Review Commissioner allows him to pursue his civic interests and remain involved in his community