Rancho Bernardo Planning Board leader optimistic members can work together

Rancho Bernardo Planning Board’s new chairman, Mike Lutz, expressed optimism that the volunteer group is on the right track and can fill its vacant positions within the next three months.

“(The board’s issues) are 90 percent resolved,” Lutz said, who was elected to lead the group for the coming year during its April 16 meeting. “There’s always going to be some conflict that might be heated, but we just need to be respectful.”

Lutz added, “We’re past the hump and I’m looking for teamwork and respect of opinion.”

He said finalizing an update to the board’s bylaws will help a lot with making meetings run smoother, since conflict between board members that bogged down meetings often originated with various interpretations of the rules that were confusing or contradictory.

“The gray areas were part of the cause for the conflicts and (members) would bicker over the interpretation,” Lutz said. “Now they are clearer.”

He said only one or two meetings will be needed to finish the multi-year process that officially concludes when the board’s bylaws are approved by the City Council.

Lutz is a High Country West resident who moved to Rancho Bernardo in 1984 after living in Poway for a couple years. He originally hails from Los Angeles, has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and master’s degree in finance. Since 2005 he has been the general manager of the High Country West Club — which encompasses his neighborhood’s homeowners association and community center — and said the HOA and planning board benefit from his experience on both.

About five years ago Lutz was appointed to fill an unexpired term in District G, then was twice elected for two-year terms, he said. This is his first stint as chairman. Joining Lutz as officers for the 2015-16 board are Robin Kaufman (vice chairwoman), Sherry Guthrie (secretary) and Bettyann Pernice (treasurer).

Lutz said according to the bylaws the board has around three months to fill its five remaining open seats. There is one in Districts B (includes Eastview and Greens West), C (Oaks North) and F (Bernardo Heights); and two in District D (includes Gatewood, The Greens and The Trails).

Residents in these districts need to be at least 18 years old, have lived in the area they represent at least 30 days and have attended at least one planning board meeting within the past 12 months before they can be appointed. The board meets at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month in the RB Swim & Tennis Club.

“(Serving on the board) is one way to give back to the community,” Lutz said. “Many do not understand what the planning department in the city does. When something important comes along, don’t complain if you don’t participate.”

Lutz said he would also like to see the board’s appointed seats for representatives from the commercial and industrial areas of Rancho Bernardo be filled. Both have been vacant for the past few years and come with a one-year term.

“It’s nice having their input during our discussions,” Lutz said. While the board does not generally have a say in what occurs within the RB Industrial Park and some business sections of the community, he said the board is sometimes still kept apprised of what is going on and it gives city officials input on changes to business areas adjacent to residential areas.

Lutz said he is interested in the board having a more visible presence in the community, noting opportunities include the Hats Off ceremony and the RB Alive! Expo. As for other goals, he would like to start the tradition of having the board’s chairman create a binder that passes to successors with notes on what occurred during the year, annual goals and the office’s responsibilities. He said the board’s website at www.RBPlanningBoard.com has recently been redesigned and he would like it updated on a regular basis.

As for other issues, Lutz said water is the biggest at the moment and he would like to see the board try to get the city to make recycled water for landscaping medians and other public areas available in Rancho Bernardo.

Residents who would like to join the board or bring issues to the board’s attention can contact Lutz at 858-673-8763 or manager@highcountrywest.com.