Planning Commission

The San Gabriel Planning Commission is currently comprised of 5 appointed members, all of whom are highly skilled professionals in the fields of academia, architecture and design. The role of the Planning Commission is to make recommendations to the City Council, as well as make decisions on land use issues.

 The Planning Commission meets once a month on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chamber.

Norman M. Garden AIA NCARB

Chairman

Norman Garden has defined new design directions in domestic and international practice for his firm and his profession. As Vice President in the Los Angeles office of RTKL Associates Inc., Mr. Garden has created an outstanding portfolio of award winning venues including large-scale urban, mixed-use projects throughout the United States and the Pacific Rim. Integrating architecture and urban design as symbiotic elements of project development, Norm's work generates the aesthetic and functional synergy that makes his projects successful from all perspectives - the visitor, the tenant and the owner.

In an effort to give back to his community and to lend his experience in public-private partnerships,Norm was appointed by the City of San Gabriel to its Planning Commission in October of 1999. He is currently the Chairman of the City of San Gabriel Planning Commission.

Tom Klawiter

Vice-Chair

Tom Klawiter and his wife Marsha have enjoyed raising their family in San Gabriel over the last 20-plus years.  He was appointed to the San Gabriel Planning Commission in 2004.  Tom is a principal with Klawiter and Associates, an interior planning and design firm located in Los Angeles.  Tom enjoys representing his community and working with the other commissioners along with city staff to promote smart, quality development throughout the city.

Carol Ojeda Kimbrough

Commissioner

Carol Ojeda Kimbrough is on the faculty of California State University at Fullerton in the Asian American Studies program.    Prior to joining CSUF, she worked as a consultant with the UCLA Lewis Center where she conducted research on environmental justice and labor unions.  As a Teaching Fellow, Carol taught an undergraduate seminar on The Urban Environment and Social Justice.

Carol has also worked in the public sector as a field deputy to Los Angeles City Councilmember Jackie Goldberg.  Carol was a member of the Los Angeles County Commission on Public Social Services Carol is active in the Filipino-American community.  She co-chairs an effort to bringing the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit of "100 Years of Filipino Presence in the United States" to Los Angeles.

In San Gabriel, Carol’s involvement includes serving in the PTAs at Washington Elementary School, Jefferson Middle School and Gabrielino High School.   When not teaching or attending Commission meetings, Carol relaxes by playing various string instruments such as the octavina, bandurria, guitar and ukelele.

Vince Zawodny

Commissioner

Vince Zawodny, the newest member of the Planning Commission, is Vice President of Design for the Westfield Corporation, Inc., in Los Angeles and resides in San Gabriel.   He holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree.  “I enjoy the San Gabriel community,” he says, “and am interested in making San Gabriel even better.  I believe in maintaining a pro development attitude while demanding high standards of planning and architectural excellence.”

Dondi Adkins

Commissioner

Dondi is the newest addition to the San Gabriel Planning Commission. She has been a resident in San Gabriel since 1998 and is very active in the community. She works with various San Gabirel organizations including, the PTA, Boy Scouts, Little League, and the Women’s Division of the San Gabriel Chamber of Commerce. Dondi was named woman of the Year in 2008 by the 49th Assembly District.

Dondi has served as a liaison between the West San Gabriel Valley Association of Realtors and the City of San Gabriel. She is currently serving her second term as president of The San Gabriel Chamber of Commerce.  Dondi has been a Realtor at Mueller Realty in San Gabriel since 1993 and believes that her experience with the residents in the community will help give insight as to what the people of San Gabriel would like to see in their community.

Design Review Commission

Raymond Cheng

Chairman

Raymond Cheng earned a B.A. in Architecture from California State Polytechnic University in Pomona. He is a licensed architect and general contractor. Raymond has received numerous awards and honors for his work and contributions to the community. He is also a member of several organizations including the State Board of Architectural Examiners, West San Gabriel YMCA, East Los Angeles College Foundation Board, L.A. Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Garfield Medical Center Governing Board, State Commission for Economic Development, Advisory Council on Asia, American Institute of Architects, and the Rotary Club. His position as a Design Review Commissioner allows him to pursue his civic interests and remain involved in his community

Kenneth Nakaba

Vice-Chair

Kenneth Nakaba holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Landscape Architecture and a Master of Science in Human Development. Prior to teaching he was employed by several notable landscape architectural firms in southern California. Including Cornell, Bridgers, and Troller, Eckbo, Dean, Austin and Williams  (EDAW) and the architectural firm of William Pereira & Associates. In addition, to teaching Mr. Nakaba was also active in private practice. The range of projects completed include residential gardens, community and urban design, campus planning and park and recreational design.

After teaching at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), between 1975 to 1977, he was invited to join the faculty of Landscape Architecture at Cal Poly Pomona. After 30 years of teaching, which included serving as Department chair for 11 years, Professor Nakaba retired in 2007. Although retired, he continues to teach occasionally and participates in the department’s Italy Study Abroad Program.

Mr.Nakaba is an active member of the American Society of Landscape Architects. He is also a member of the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture. Professional activities also included participation in national and international conferences, seminars, and workshops. Mr. Nakaba was appointed a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects in 1997 for service to the ASLA, the profession, and landscape architectural education.

Mr.and Mrs. Nakaba are long time residents of the City of Pasadena.

Tommy Thai

Commissioner

With over 20 years of experience, Tommy Thai is a seasoned real estate professional who joined Prudential California Realty in 2003.  He has had extensive real estate training and was awarded the CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) designation.  

Mr. Thai has built a reputation among Real Estate Investors in the San Gabriel Valley based on firsthand knowledge, experience, and full service hands-on approach to transactions.  He has been involved and successfully negotiated numerous sales and lease real estate transactions including apartment buildings, retail shopping centers, offices, industrial/warehouses, single family residences, hospitality, mixed-unit dwellings and others.  He has negotiated real estate transactions for private individuals, group of investors, small and large companies and others.

In addition to Real Estate Sales, Mr. Thai also has hands on experience in Real Estate Development beginning with initial site search and ending with project completion.