Los Gatos Planning Commission Has New Leadership

Longtime Los Gatos Planning Commission member Marcia Jensen has been appointed chairwoman of the group by a unanimous vote of her colleagues.

On Wednesday evening, the seven-member body voted to select Jensen, who had served as vice-chairwoman in 2011. She succeeds Commissioner Marico Sayoc in that capacity.

Los Gatos resident Charles Erekson was appointed vice chairman. He succeeds Jensen in that role.

The body makes recommendations to the Los Gatos Town Council regarding planning, subdivisions, zoning and other land-use regulatory controls.

Jensen was re-appointed to the commission in 2008. She had served as a member of the group from 1989 to 1999 and as chairwoman from 1994 to 1997.

Jensen worked as assistant United States Attorney for the San Jose division from 1987 to 2003. She was responsible for the investigation, motion practice, trial and appeal of federal criminal cases. She tried more than 35 cases to jury verdict, including first-degree murder, bribery and financial fraud. She also litigated more than 15 appeals and argued in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal.

Jensen also worked as a litigation associate for the San Jose law firm of Robinson & Wood from 1985 to 1987 where she specialized in insurance defense and she was a deputy district attorney for the Alameda County District Attorney's Office from 1981 to 1985. She was responsible for pretrial law and motion, misdemeanor trials, felony prelims and trials. She participate in more than 30 jury trials of misdemeanor and felony crimes ranging from drunk driving to rape and kidnap.

The Council also appointed her to serve on the Los Gatos General Plan Committee from 2006 to 2008 where she helped draft, revise and
implement the plan town development policies.

Jensen said her goal this year is to do her best to apply land-use policies adopted by the Council to make decisions which preserve essential town attributes.

"In an uncertain economic environment, it becomes more difficult to strike appropriate balances," she said, adding that her other objective as chair is to encourage an open dialogue between residents, business owners and applicants.

About working closely with the Council, Jensen said she will work with her colleagues to keep the lines of communication open through staff reports, joint meetings, retreats, and service on town sub-committees.

"This open communication has proven to be effective in developing a good working relationship, and I look forward to working with the Council in the coming year to reach consensus on how best to preserve those things that make Los Gatos a great town," she said.

The other members of the commission are Sayoc, Thomas O'Donnell, Margaret Smith, Joanne Talesfore and John Bourgeois.