Peter Bastone, President and CEO of Mission Hospital, has submitted an application to fill a vacancy on the MV Planning and Transportation Commission.
Councilman Frank Ury’s previous appointee, Mynette Beauchamp, resigned her position last month. Ury is expected to make a replacement appointment on Monday, subject to ratification by a majority of the Council.
Bastone is very familiar to councilmembers. Mission Hospital’s plans for changes or expansion of its campus requires approval by the Planning Commission and the City Council. It is anticipated his conflict of interest regarding the Hospital would require his recusal on future issues involving the institution.
The Hospital is a ministry of The Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange. Bastone is also Chairman for the Alliance of Catholic Healthcare, a Director for JSerra High School in San Juan Capistrano, School Board Member for St. Mary’s All Angels School, and Member of the Preservation Foundation for Mission San Juan Capistrano. His interests in San Juan Capistrano might raise questions regarding conflicts of interest when Mission Viejo and San Juan Capistrano have differing perspectives regarding transporation or other regional matters.
Another concern by the appointment of Bastone is the issue of density. The Hospital has previously stated its desire for the city to create high density affordable housing which could benefit some of its employees. The Hospital’s business can also be increased by the increased population of higher density construction. The Planning Commission is currently preparing to revise the City’s General Plan, primarily to address rezoning guidelines for increased density.
If Mr. Bastone has a new urbanism bent, it seems to align with Ury’s land use philosophy. It also would be compatable with the pro-developer history of Lance MacLean, who recently met privately with Bastone.
It is not uncommon for a commissioner to be preselected by an appointing councilmember prior to the candidate submitting an application. Other applicants for the position include Robin Sickles, (Student/Homemaker), David Ponce (Senior Product Consultant), Michael Wolynetz (Retired Engineer), R. Lamar Kelsoe (Sales & Marketing), Les Sykes (Retired), and Matt Keller (Project Manager).
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I have very little doubt that Mr. Bastone would also be a strong proponent for affordable housing.
Let’s hope he doesn’t continue allowing for ‘freeways’ to be built in our city. Get rid of the traffic lights and install modern roundabouts. It’ll improve traffic flow, volume and safety while using less overall land allowing us to beautify our city throughout by landscaping the center of the roundabout such as planting a majestic Live Oak tree in the center of the roundabout at La Paz and Marguerite and also at the three roundabouts that should be along La Paz at each side of the freeway and at Chrisanta. A roundabout at La Paz and Chrisanta would finally provide a safe way for the kids to cross the road there and while doing so, not restricting the traffic flow so drastically.