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HomeMy WebLinkAboutChristina MattarPlanning and Environmental Commission (PEC) Application The Planning and Environmental Commission (PEC) is a seven-member volunteer board. The PEC is responsible for the review and determination of requests for variances and conditional use permits, and recommendation to Town Council on special development districts, subdivisions, rezonings, various Town of Vail proposed plans and other community matters per the Town Charter and ordinances. The PEC meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 1 p.m. in the Vail Municipal Building. Name of Applicant * Phone Number * Email * Is the Town of Vail considered your primary residence?* Proof of Residence * Are you a registered voter in the Town of Vail?* Section 3-2-6 of the Vail Town Code prescribes the function of the PEC. According to the Town Code, The PEC shall have the following function and duties: a. Make and adoption of master plans for approval by the Town Council, b. Review and recommend zoning regulations and subdivision regulations to the Town Council, c. Review and approve environmental impact reports and mitigation measures as required by the Zoning Regulations, review and comment on programs and studies of environmental issues, d. Conduct research of environmental issues, e. Make recommendations to the Town Council for control of pollution and the protection of the environment, Advise the Town Council on appropriate actions when air and water quality standards are violated, and f. Consider other matters pertaining to the Commission and to act in an advisory role to the Town Council. Christina Mattar 9704013701 clmattar@yahoo.com Yes No IMG_2126.jpg 369.83KB Yes No PEC Responsibilities Given the above prescribed role of the PEC, what makes you uniquely qualified to serve on the Commission?* Please provide an example from your past which demonstrates your qualifications and explain why you are interested in serving on the PEC?* 5000 Characters Max My education and career path as a young adult makes me uniquely qualified to serve the PEC. I received a BS in Geology from Vanderbilt University in 1995 and a Masters in Environmental Policy (with a focus on water policy) from Johns Hopkins University in 1999. I used these degrees in many roles including staff at the Senate Environment and Public Works, Legislative Assistant for a Member of Congress focused on Environmental and Wildlife issues, and as a partner at lobbying firm (The Ferguson Group) in Washington, DC where I exclusively represented local governments and municipalities for 10 years working on environmental issues. My clients ranged in size from smaller water and sanitation districts (Sonoma County Water Agency) all the way to large counties like King County, Washington. During this time, I also represented Jefferson County, CO and Commerce City, CO where I gained experience with many issues affecting the state of Colorado. 5000 Characters Max My family and I moved to Colorado full-time almost 3 years ago so my kids could attend Vail Mountain School. Prior to moving here full-time, we spent every summer (and winter and spring breaks) in the Colorado mountains. We are now 'home'. We love the mountains and I feel strongly about protecting the environment, scarce water resources and, especially as more people move here, wildlife and their habitat. I am also now a residential real estate agent and know that people need places to live so I know there needs to be a thoughtful balance on how we plan communities. I am a strong believe there are often win-win opportunities that are sometimes overlooked. One example of a win-win solution from my past, is a program that I helped write and develop called the North Bay Water Reuse Program (a multi-faceted partnership that included the Bureau of Reclamation) in California. I worked on this legislation/program for over 10 years negotiating with and ultimately gaining the support of many different stakeholders. Today it is a successful program that uses very high levels of treated wastewater and provides a dedicated source of water to high value (mostly grapes) crops in California. This infrastructure permanently removes these crops off of surface water diversions, leaving more water in streams and rivers for aquatic life. This is specifically critical in that region for anadromous fish (like Steelhead) who need certain levels of water flows in streams and rivers for spawning. In 2001, the concept of using treated wastewater to irrigate vineyards was a unique (and somewhat controversial) idea that, twenty plus years later, has proven to be a win-win solution to a major water shortage problem in Napa, Sonoma and Marin counties. Ultimately, I believe that many of conflicts between human needs and environmental protection can be addressed with innovative ideas and out of the box thinking. While I don't have much experience with planning (a. and b. above), I have had experience with c.-f. in my role as a lobbyist for local governments. The PEC meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. Meetings begin at 1:00 pm and typically adjourn by 5:00 pm. PEC members shall be appointed to a 2 year term. Attendance at meetings is critical as it provides a broad representation on matters before the PEC and promotes a fair and equitable development review process. Please describe your availability to attend PEC meetings for the duration of your term and identify any conflicts of interest that may arise as a result of your employment, personal and/or professional relationships or financial interests in the Town of Vail.* Vail is a small community and everyone seems to know each other in one form or another. Please describe your abilities to act in a quasi-judicial role and provide at least one example where you had to make and unpopular decision on an issued based upon a set of criteria or other certain considerations.* Resume (optional) Letter of Interest (optional) 5000 Characters Max I should be able to attend all meetings unless I am out of town. I am now a residential real estate agent but I do not believe this will create a conflict of interest. I have never worked for or represented a developer or builder. And I have no financial interests in the Town. The PEC is often asked to act in a quasi-judicial (like a judge) on development applications. Decision making is guided by review criteria and findings of fact. The review criteria are prescribed by the Vail Town Code. 5000 Characters Max I feel very confident that I can make impartial decisions based on facts, rules and regulations. I am comfortable making unpopular decisions when needed but I don't believe I have a good example of making an unpopular decision professionally.