Lovedeep Joshen to head Planning Commission

The Shafter Planning Commission welcomed its new members Tuesday night as they held their first meeting of 2025.

At a recent City Council meeting, Armando Camacho, Joseph Simmons and John Sanchez were appointed to the commission for four-year terms. Sanchez had a term that expired in December, but expressed interest in serving another term and was selected to do so.At their first meeting of 2025, the members of the commission elected Lovedeep Joshen to serve as their chairman. Member David Piuser was elected to serve as vice chairman.

Joshen, who was appointed to the commission in 2023, is the manager of the Big Stop Market in Shafter. He said that he got interested in serving on the commission after his numerous interactions with the commission during his efforts to getting the market cleared for some major renovations. "I thought that it was really interesting how the city operates and how they make decisions for the growth and future of the city. "

The Planning Commission meets every second Tuesday of the month and is an integral part of the city's operations. It works closely with the city in keeping the city's vision and helping it go toward its goals.

It rules on issues regarding land use, general plans, zone ordinances, and other issues regarding the city's overall plan.