1. 2.
3. Name:
CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE
PLANNING COMMISSION
APPLICATION
Kristen Olesky
How long have you lived in San Clemente? 5 Years
City of San Clemente
MAY !l 2023
CllY Clerk Department
What is your occupation? Business Owner - Kidcreate Studio
4. Please explain why you would like to serve on the Planning Commission.
5. I am a relatively new resident of San Clemente, and I p lan to retire and remain here pe1111anently. I often tell people, I am never moving again!
I want to get involved in the community in a meaningful professional volunteer way. I am currently pa11icipating in the Leadership San Clemente program, which has been a valuable oppo11unity to learn about the city. I've learned that the commissions are the ideal way to volunteer in a professional capacity. I've done a deep dive into the agendas, minutes and videos of the commissions to better understand what they do and what is expected of commissioners.
While it would be an honor to serve on any of the commissions, I believe my professional skills and personal interests are particularly well suited to the Planning Commission. This commission plays an incredibly important role in safeguarding the character and culture of San Clemente, while maintaining an appropriate balance between preservation and prosperity. I would like to serve on this commission because I believe I could be a thoughtful, prepared and dedicated member, and could make a meaningful contribution to its important work.
Please explain how your background and experience would contribute to the Planning Commission.
First, I bring the perspective of a small business owner. I opened a children's art studio in Dana Point in 2020, which involved a large Tl project. I am now embarking on building out a second, bigger location in Aliso Viejo. These experiences have taught me a great deal about commercial building and signage permits, city processes, codes and the various complexities of commercial development. I would bring an appreciation for the entrepreneurial perspective, tempered with an appreciation for a San Clemente's need to be thoughtful and thorough in handling proposals and applications from businesses.
Secondly, my husband and I once renovated a home built in the l 930's in the historically rich community of Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan. I genuinely enjoy architecture and design, and developed an interest in things like architectural design standards and Cultural Heritage Protection, which are critical to preserve and strengthen the character of a historic conummity.
Finally, prior to being a small business owner, I was a management consultant, corporate manager and non-profit fundraising manager. I would be able to learn quickly, synthesize technical infom1ation, and contribute readily to the analysis, collaboration and cooperation that are required from members of the Planning Commission.
6. What is your educational background?
High School/Colleges Attended Major Field of Study Degree? Michigan Technological University Technical Conununication BS University of Michigan Business School Marketing & Finance MBA Johns Hopkins University Nonprofit Management Grad Ce11
7. In your opinion, what are the three top qual ities of San Clemente that should remain unchanged for future generations?
l. Natural beaches with thoughtfully planned community amenities 2_ Historic walkable downtown
3 _ Greenspace
8. In your opinion, what are three characteristics of San Clemente that are most in need of correction?
9. 10.
l. Revitalization of North Beach - making it a more desirable, vibrant and attractive location (National Historic District designation, Placemaking Plan) 2_ Remediation / accelerated development of prominent eyesore properties (I was very happy to see the focus on the razing of the dilapidated gas station in the center of town) 3 _ Coastal Planning and Protection
Please explain any experience that you have had in community, governmental, charitable or educational affairs.
Leadership San Clemente Program (current)
!Member of the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce
School Parent Teacher Organizations (15 years) St Margaret's Executive Board (3 years) School Fundraising ( 10 years volunteer, 4 years as Advancement Manager, International School of Dusseldorf) !Nonprofit Fundraising Manager (Room to Read, Caiing for Cambodia) Please describe your ideal vision for San Clemente's future (as it pertains to growth and development).
I would like to answer this by taking the perspective of a resident (such as my children or grandchildren) 25 or 50 years from now.
Ideally, I would want them to say:
"San Clemente did a great job managing growth and development over the years! They stayed with the times but didn't fall into the over-commercialization trap. They are thriving. They retained their history and character while businesses of all kinds thrive on Del Mar, in Los Molinos and in South San Clemente. The parks and green spaces are wonderful.
And North Beach is one of the greatest comeback stories in California - what an oceanfront gem! It's an amazing place to live and we are so fortunate."
11. The Planning Commission meets on the Wednesday following the City Council's Regular meeting at 6:00 p.m. Please explain any challenges, if anv, vou may have in meeting this commitment.
12. 13.
None
If you could influence t he City of San Clemente in just one way, what would that be? I don't envision myself in a prominent or powerful position in San Clemente. I don't have a grand plan or mission. I'm not a political person with an agenda:
I think it's really easy for people to complain and grandstand and bluster. It's easy to criticize. It's even easier from behind your computer. But actually getting things done takes hardworking, dedicated people who care and have stamina.
My goal is to find opportunities where I can do something useful and positive. I want to be a factor in many small wins and successes in my community, consistently year after year. I want to help people with good ideas get positive things done.
(See #14)
Do you have any experience with historic preservation or architectural history? If so, please explain:
lA.s I answered in #5, I have some experience renovating a home in a historic neighborhood. !While I don't have any professional experience or training, I do have an interest in, and have accumulated a fair bit of mderstanding of a11 and architecture.
for example, I lived in Germany for 7 years in the historic village ofKaiserswe11h, which wasn't destroyed in WW2. I ived for a time in a row house that was renovated from a 200 year old silk factory. The architect was my neighbor and !friend. I took a deep interest in learning about buildings that had survived the war and those that had been faithfully ·ecreated during post-war reconstruction, as in the city of Dresden. I lived in Dusseldorf and enjoyed learning about he competing/co-existing interests between modern architecture and historical preservation/restoration in that city.
14. Please use the space below to explain any other factors about yourself that you would like for the Council members to consider as they review vour application.
I was born in Detroit in the summer of the riots. My large extended family all lived in the city. Within IO years, eve1yone had moved to the suburbs. People called it "white flight", but my family wasn't fleeing from black people, they had been living happily in a mixed community for 2 generations. Our black neighbors were moving away too.
They were fleeing from crime, drugs, declining schools and abandoned neighborhood houses. The more families who moved out, the worse it got. And it got very vety bad in my neighborhood.
I wony about this effect at North Beach. I wotTy when I hear at council meetings that families won't take their kids to North Beach, that they haven't been there in years. It becomes such a teITible spiral.
There are many perspectives on how to deal with the situation that has developed at No11h Beach through enforcement and/or social services. But do we give enough ai11ime or attention to the roles of economic growth and development and community activity in keeping areas clean, safe and family friendly? I believe that Chapters 4 and 5 of the Not1h Beach Placemaking Plan are crucial and I will support and contribute to realizing their potential in any way I can.
Detroit is finally experiencing a remarkable downtown transformation. It was brought on by the investment, dedication and stamina of business people for the past I 0-15 years, with the leadership and support of city government.