Copeland is an appointee of Mayor Lauren Meister
During last night’s City of West Hollywood Planning Commissioner meeting, Kimberly Copeland was appointed and sworn-in as Planning Commissioner. Copeland is an appointee of Mayor Lauren Meister, and she is replacing former Planning Commission Chair Lynn Hoopingarner.
Mayor Meister officiated the swearing in during the virtual meeting, and Copeland comes in with experience in city affairs, having previously served in the Rent Stabilization and Business License Commissions prior to her current role as Planning Commissioner.
“As was the case with my two prior appointees who preceded her, Lynn Hoopengarner and Sheila Lightfoot, I know she will be a great asset to the Planning Department, the commission, and of course, the city,” said Mayor Meister.
Planning Commissioners Michael Lombardi, Marquita Thomas, and Rogerio Carvalheiro expressed their gratitude to Copeland and look forward to working together on future endeavors within the Planning Commission.
“Welcome Commissioner Copeland, and all of our interactions I’ve had with you over the years have always been pleasant and engaging, and I look forward to working with you. Thank you also for all your years of service already to the city,” said Carvalheiro.
Copeland is replacing former Planning Commission Chair Lynn Hoopingarner, who resigned earlier in May over comments made about the Persian community during a Design Review Subcommittee meeting. She has since apologized for her remarks.
At the September 1 Planning Commission meeting Ms. Copeland demonstrated her understanding of the San Vicente project as well as ability to ask important questions. Apparently a viable commissioner.
Why are they using Zoom?
This article does not mention any expertise related to planning issues, design or architecture. What are Ms. Copelands qualifications aside from Rent Stabilization and Business License Commission?
Kim Copeland has proven to be a hard working, unflappable and astute analyst in her prior roles with the City and she shares the neighborhood values that Mayor Meister embodies. I think she will approach this new job with humility and a healthy dose of common sense.
I second Steve’s rationale and observations wholeheartedly. We need common-sense people who will dig in and do the nuts and bolts work of sound municipal governance. I have every confidence that Ms. Copeland is what we need as a resident commissioner. Good luck to Ms. Copeland!
We shall see how Ms. Copeland’s astute analysis works when applied to subject matter at next Planning Commission. Hopeful! Several of the recent commissioners simply offer fluffy non-substantive comments.