Council Member Bloom Appointed to Coastal Commission

By Jonathan Friedman
Lookout Staff

December 9, 2009 -- City Council member Richard Bloom has a new title to add to his name -- California Coastal Commissioner.

Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg on Tuesday appointed Bloom to the 12-member state panel that oversees coastal development and public access issues.

Bloom was among three candidates nominated by an ad-hoc committee to fill the commission vacancy. The other nominees were Mayor Pro Tem Pam O’Connor and Long Beach Council member Gerrie Schipske.

The commission meets for a three-day period every month in various locations throughout the state. It hears appeals of coastal development permits approved by cities, counties and other agencies and addresses other coastal issues regarding land use and public access.

Bloom’s term begins this week with a meeting in San Francisco. It expires in May 2013. Commissioners can be reappointed.

Bloom acknowledged he has a learning curve ahead of him, saying he is familiar with Coastal Commission issues, but does not follow the powerful board closely.

“We don’t have that many Coastal Commission issues that have affected the City of Santa Monica,” Bloom said. “We’ve had a few. But it certainly has not been front and center for me as many other things have.”

Bloom said his background as a lawyer and “being trained in analytical thinking” will be useful for his new position. He added his experience on the City Council and position as head of the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission provide him with a good background.

“I have an abiding interest in the broad range of sustainability issues as we’ve come to know them here in Santa Monica,” Bloom said. “I have a specific interest in ocean and coastal and watershed issues that have grown with my time on the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission.”

Bloom added, “I think that we’ve developed a very positive approach to sustainability issues in Santa Monica. I want to try to apply the philosophies and lessons I’ve learned more broadly.”