Planning Commissioner Roundtable
Workshop Summary
Planning Commissioners will discuss their experiences, particularly as it relates to housing-related issues. What is the role and expectations of a Planning Commissioner? How do cities differ in their approaches to reviewing and approving projects and implementing state laws? How do city staff and councils respond to and implement Planning Commissioner feedback? How does it feel to face opposition or receive negative feedback?
Moderator and Panelists
Moderator – Seema Patel
Planning Commissioner, City of San Mateo
Seema Patel leads experience design for Real Estate and Workplace Services at Google. Prior to joining Google, Seema was the CEO and co-founder of Interbots, a robotics startup that developed mobile apps and robotic toys for children with autism, as well as high-end animatronics for science centers and children’s museums. She has served on the San Mateo Planning Commission since 2021 and on the General Plan Subcommittee since 2022.
Panelist – Phoebe Shin Venkat
Planning Commissioner, City of Foster City
Phoebe Shin Venkat is a first-generation Chinese American who currently heads consultancy at FeverBee, a London-based community strategy firm. Prior to joining FeverBee, Phoebe worked at several global companies, including Merrill Lynch, ADT, Salesforce, Facebook, Okta. She has served on the Foster City Planning Commission and CORA’s (Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse) board of directors since 2022. Phoebe lives with her partner and son, and enjoys stand-up comedy, concerts, fashion, causing good trouble, and reading all the things!
Panelist – Mehruss Ahi
Planning Commissioner, City of Los Altos
Mehruss Ahi is a Project Manager and Architectural Designer at MBI Groups, a Real Estate Development corporation located in Silicon Valley. He has also served on the Los Altos Planning Commission since 2018.
Panelist – Auros Harman
Planning Commissioner, City of San Bruno
Auros Harman has served on the San Bruno Planning Commission for four years, including one as chair. He moved to the Bay Area in 1999 to attend grad school at Cal, and never left. He is a third generation member of the Sierra Club, and enjoys hiking and cycling. He lives with his spouse and six cats, and is building an Accessory Dwelling Unit for his parents.