Politics & Government
New Planning Commission Chairman
Sudhir Mandal says he is working as a team with fellow commissioners and staff for a better Milpitas.
Sudhir Mandal was recently elected as chairman of the Milpitas Planning Commission. He assumes the role has held since January.
Mandal said he strives to attract more new businesses, a better quality of life and a clean and beautiful Milpitas. Appointed to the commission in 2005, he said, “The planning commission directly affects people, requires more outreaching to hear both sides. It's about helping people and getting to know people in a broader public role.”
He started his community volunteer activities in 1995 with an appointment to the Community Advisory Commission. He served as chairman for one year and recalls working on neighborhood beautification advisory efforts, community town hall meetings and other public concerns.
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He said the planning commission is about “trying to get more public input, keeping track of the public pulse and a challenge for everyone to work harder to hear from the people.”
In his new capacity as commission chairman, Mandal said he wants to:
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- Work together as a team.
- Take on the challenge to attract more businesses into the city.
- Have a good depth of knowledge about the various codes.
- Use the Conditional Use Permit Streamlining Subcommittee to help simplify the permitting process.
He said his goals are:
- To bring more businesses to Milpitas.
- Make sure that the quality of life is better.
- Make Milpitas more beautiful and cleaner.
- Get more people excited about improving the community.
Both Mandal and former chairman, Mark Tiernan, wanted the position as chairman, and both were nominated when Tiernan became chairman in January. At the time, then-chairman Cliff Williams had left the commission. Mandal and Tiernan were nominated again on July 13. This time Mandal, who was the vice chairman, prevailed on a split vote. And commissioner Noella Tabladillo is now the new vice-chairman.
Mandal said, “Thanks to Cliff Williams, I think our planning commission team has done well with the walking tours looking at the past, present, and future in Milpitas. Our staff has done an excellent job in reporting and preparing for our meetings. We have one of the best staffs ever.”
