Atascadero planning commissioner resigns 

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Atascadero Planning Commissioner Bob Kelley resigned on Nov. 10, three days after losing his bid for a seat on the Atascadero City Council. Kelley placed third out of four candidates behind Mayor Tom O'Malley and Planning Commissioner Ellen Beraud.

"The City Council has done a 180, and there is no reason for me to stay," Kelley said. "The council is not going in the direction I want it to."

During the election, accusations surfaced in the form of Deputy Community Development Director Steve McHarris alleging that Kelley and fellow council candidate Robert Jones attempted to pressure staff to waive a Planning Commission hearing on a change requested by developer Kelly Gearhart at his housing project on Marchant Avenue. Gearhart, Jones, and Kelley have denied any pressure.

"My resignation has nothing to do with the false allegations made against me," Kelley said.

Atascadero Councilman Jerry Clay announced Kelley's resignation at the Nov. 14 City Council meeting. Each councilperson selects one planning commissioner, and two seats are filled by a vote of the council.

Clay has not named Kelley's successor at this time.