Chairman Mark Smith of the City of Auburn Planning Commission will no longer serve the city in that position.

Selected to the commission by Bridget Powers, Auburn City Council member, it is also her prerogative to ask for her choice’s removal.

The City Council passed a motion during Monday night’s meeting to declare Smith’s seat vacant on the Auburn Planning Commission.

When asked Wednesday why she asked for Smith’s removal from office, Powers cited differences in opinion.

“We had philosophical differences on what direction the Planning Commission should take so it was time for a change,” Powers said Wednesday. “Mark worked really hard for the last three years. I just felt that it’s time to have someone who is more in line with my views.”

Powers mentioned three upcoming projects that she is concerned about.

“We have the Streetscape coming up and we have the possibility of Costco coming to town and we have a very important project coming up with the Baltimore Ravine Project and I feel it’s really important,” Powers said, who works out of her Auburn home as pension plan consultant for Hicks Pension Services.

Smith, 53, a consultant with Lyon Real Estate and recipient of the Rotarian of the Year Award, disagrees that Powers replaced him for “philosophical differences.”

“The reason that I’m no longer on the Planning Commission has nothing to do with my professional abilities on the commission,” Smith said Wednesday. “This has to do with Bridget’s extreme dislike with (commissioner) Lisa Worthington. Bridget told me that if I in any way helped Lisa Worthington with her campaign (for City Council) that she would pull me from the Planning Commission.”

The landlord where Smith rents put up signs in favor of Worthington, Smith said, which had further ramifications.

“She (Powers) directed me to take those signs down,” Smith said. “I said I was not going to be blackmailed by her or go against my friends. She came by my place and honked her horn and wanted me to take the signs down. I have a right to support who I want to support.”

For Alan Young, 62, appointed as planning commissioner in July by Mayor Keith Nesbitt, Smith’s dismissal came as a complete surprise.

“My interaction with Mark has always been very professional,” said Young, formerly the assistant fire chief with the Sacramento City Fire Department. “He was very helpful and it was surprising to me that he was being replaced. He’s always been very devoted to the agendas that come to the Planning Commission. I didn’t know he was going to be replaced until last Thursday.”

Young pointed out that he’s the newest member on the commission, “but not the youngest person on that commission.”

The commission consists of five members, including a chairman. The vacant position has already been advertised, but Powers would not comment on any possible applicants being considered.

“We put an ad in the paper for the position and I am currently considering someone,” Powers said.

According to Section 32.016 of the city’s Municipal Code, “Any commissioner may be removed with or without cause by a majority vote of the entire council.” It’s also written that in the event of vacancy on the commission, “a person shall be appointed by the council member making the original appointment to fill the unexpired term.”

City Manager Bob Richardson confirmed that Powers has the right to recommend Smith’s removal and who his successor will be.

“Powers notified staff that she would like to have Mr. Smith removed,” Richardson said. “We are currently reviewing applications for a new commissioner. We accept applications. Bridget will review the applications. She informs staff of her recommendations and we put it on agenda for City Council consideration.”

Some commission duties are the power to approve, conditionally approve, or deny design review permits, use permits, subdivision maps, parcel maps, variances and associated environmental determinations, according to the city’s Web site. Planning Commission actions are final unless appealed to the City Council within 10 days of the commission’s action. If appealed, the decision is reviewed by the City Council, and the City Council’s decision is final.

The Planning Commission meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at 1225 Lincoln Way. The next Planning Commission meeting will be on Nov. 18.