Houston looks to the future with new commission

HOUSTON — The borough’s smallest city has made a move to put itself closer to the same league as its bigger brothers — taking on planning duties.

In a unanimous vote, Houston City Council on Thursday seated five members and one alternate to its fledgling planning commission.

Houston Mayor Roger Purcell went through the lineup:

• Ralph Buzard, a former councilman who serves on other boards with the city and also on the borough’s Platting Commission.

• Loretta Shumay, the wife of a local minister

• Rick Dilley, who owns Alaska Cozy Coal and Furnace

• Paul Zitko, who works at radio station KMBQ

And, as an alternate, Jay Denven

Those six names were selected from among eight who applied. As mayor, Purcell nominated each candidate who was then confirmed by the city council. His first six choices, he said, were the six seated.

Purcell said that having a planning commission in the city is a big move, bringing more local control to the city. Previously, the borough had handled planning issues for Houston.

He said having a planning commission will give the city a voice in its development since things such as building permits, driveway permits or changes to zoning have to go through the commission first.

But it will also put the city on a better footing when it comes to statewide projects.

“Any highway changes or state projects that are in the area have to go through the planning commission,” Purcell said. “The only one that could override us is actually then the governor.”

Wasilla and Palmer already do their own planning. Purcell said it’s a way to shape the type of town Houston is going to be.

It’s an idea that’s been kicking around for awhile, he said, but only really got off the ground this year.

“That was one of my deals on my (campaign) platform was local control in planning,” said the mayor, who was elected to the council in 2007.

And, he said, the planning commission won’t be hurting for work at the city. First up, he said, is updating the comprehensive plan, which hasn’t been updated in Houston since 1996.

Then, he said, they’ll likely move on to tackle other issues like a road plan that the city needs to prepare in multiple forms pegged to certain points in the future.

As a veteran of planning commissions in other cities, Purcell said the six people on the commission will likely stay busy.

“There’s more work, I think, for the planning commission than as a council member.”

Contact Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.