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The Blair County Planning Commission, short a member following the recent resignation of Randy Isenberg, will have all seats filled after the Blair County commissioners vote to appoint a new member today.
According to the commissioners' agenda, Nicola F. Ardizzone will be appointed to serve the remainder of Isenberg's term, effective May 1 through Dec. 31, 2026.
It is up to the Blair County commissioners to appoint a replacement, and under the current format, the replacement must be from Altoona.
"The process involves a review of all talent bank applications that indicate interest in serving on the planning commission," Commissioner Bruce Erb said.
Planning commission members last week discussed possibly changing the way board members are appointed.
A recent strategic plan study completed by Denny Puko, Planning Consultant LLC, suggested commission members look at making changes.
Presently, three members represent the city, three represent the boroughs and three represent the townships.
Planning Director David McFarland said the county is divided into seven regions and that members could be appointed by region.
"We don't have anyone from the Claysburg area," McFarland said. "The Claysburg area hasn't had a representative for a decade."
Another idea would be to elect a member at large or even make a Blair County commissioner part of the board.
"It has been trending for people only to represent the area they are from; this may give people a broader perspective. This could make us more parochial and broader," Chairman William Hall said.
"It may be time; we have been under the same structure for 60 years. It is time to reconsider it," McFarland said.
Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.