Council Appoints Former Mayor Cole to Planning Commission

Rick Cole has been appointed to the Planning Commission in District 5 for real this time.

Cole, who was nominated for the appointment by District 5 Councilmember Jess Rivas, was erroneously reported as appointed by Pasadena Now on Monday morning. But actually at that point, he had only been nominated for the position.

Cole served 12 years on the Pasadena City Council, and served as mayor before the charter was rewritten allowing for an elected mayor.

Cole previously served as the City Manager of Azusa, Ventura and most recently in Santa Monica.

Cole was actually the city’s first modern rotating mayor. Before he rotated into the position, the mayor was known as the chairman of the Board of Directors.

During that time council members rotated into the mayoral position.

“I’ve always believed that planning involves much more than reviewing developer proposals,” Cole said. “With our acute housing crisis, the blows to local businesses from technology and COVID and the coming fiscal crunch of the next recession, Pasadena cannot sit on its assets. We have an obligation to engage the community to proactively plan for a more livable, prosperous, equitable and sustainable future.”

The commission serves as an advisory board to the City Council on the preparation and review of the General Plan, as well as the adoption or implementation of programs under the Plan, including the creation of districts and zones, modification to and administration of zoning regulations, review of the capital improvements program, and review of other programs and projects which affect city development.

Last year Mayor Gordo appointed Cole as special housing advisor to the Mayor.

In that new role, Cole advises the Mayor on matters relating to housing issues—including the work of the newly established housing task force.