Posted on: Wednesday, March 31, 2004

Council panel OKs Mikulina for post

Advertiser Staff

A City Council panel yesterday gave preliminary approval to the appointment of Hawai'i Sierra Club director Jeff Mikulina to the city Planning Commission.

Mikulina is a longtime environmentalist with an engineering background. He will join the commission if his appointment receives final approval from the full City Council next month. Mikulina was nominated by Mayor Jeremy Harris.

The nine-member commission advises the council and city administration on planning issues, holds public hearings and makes recommendations on all proposals to adopt or amend the city's general plan, development plans and zoning ordinances.

Mikulina would succeed Brian Yahata, whose term ended on June 30, 2002. Mikulina would serve until June 30, 2007.

The Sierra Club has fought some major development projects on O'ahu, such as the Koa Ridge residential project in Central O'ahu.

Mikulina said he will recuse himself from decision-making regarding issues on which the Sierra Club has taken a position.