Vacancies filled on Planning Commission

Avon Lake City Council finalized the appointments of two new members of the Avon Lake Planning Commission on May 29.

Randy Knilans and Sean Plunkett will join the Planning Commission following the two scheduled resignations.

Knilans, a staff architect with Clark and Post Architects, Inc. in Lorain, holds a master of architecture from The Ohio State University and brings 20 years of diverse experience in design and construction of multiple buildings. He returns to the commission where he served between 1989-2015. An architect by trade, he has been a resident of Avon Lake since 1986 and is presently a member of the Avon Lake Historical Preservation Commission.

Knilans is on the board of directors for the North Central Ohio Building Officials Association, city of Elyria Board of Building Appeals, and the Construction Specifications Institute.

“I think what’s important to state is that his position as an architect with Clark and Post is that he is a standards official. So When there is a blueprint that has been designed he takes the blueprint and marks it against the Ohio building code and all the other building standards,” said Ward 2 Councilwoman Jennifer Fenderbosch. “This is just a really great fit.”

In a letter of interest to Council, Knilans wrote he has enjoyed being of service to the city over the years and believes his previous tenure on the Planning Commission would allow him to contribute immediately.

Knilans will fill the term of Michael Sherban, who submitted his resignation on May 8 following his

appointment to the Avon Lake Board of Education. Knilans’ term runs through the end of 2019.

“We’re very lucky to have Mr. Knilans on board,” said Avon Lake Mayor Greg Zilka.

“He was very pleased to be asked to be back on the Planning Commission.”

Plunkett, an architect and president of Weber Murphy Fox Architects, joins the Planning Commission and brings additional experience as a general contractor and developer.

“It is clear that Avon Lake, as a city, is at a pivot point in its planning. Increased retail and business pressure on its border with Avon and presently underutilized commercial locations present interesting challenges and opportunities for the city,” Plunkett wrote in a May 17 letter of interest.

Plunkett added he hopes to contribute to the dialogue

on how to maintain the “virtue” of Avon Lake while promoting responsible planning in advancing the city holistically with taxes, public services, land and water resources, he wrote.

The city received three applications for the two vacancies but it was the architectural experience that set Knilans and Plunkett apart.

“The architectural experience was the reason why we went forward. Very, very strong candidates. This community has a lot of talented and experienced people that are giving of their time to the community,” Fenderbosch said.

Plunkett will replace CJ Tyree for a term running through the end of 2018. Tyree’s resignation is effective July 4.

Tyree served on the commission for four years and will be relocating to take a new position out of state.