The five-member Planning Commission meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. (Planning Commission Meetings are broadcast live on SCV TV channel 20 and on the City’s Website.) Members of the public wishing to address the commission may do so by completing a speaker’s slip upon arrival at the meeting. There is a three minute time limit per person.
Meetings are held in the City Council Chambers, 1st floor of City Hall, 23920 Valencia Blvd., Santa Clarita, CA. ( view map ) For more information, contact the Planning Division at (661) 255-4330.
Tim Burkhart, Chairperson
Term Expires: December 2024
Tim Burkhart has over 40 years of experience with Six Flags and has held supervisory and management positions in all aspects of theme and water park operations. He currently holds the position of Corporate Vice President- Maintenance and Construction and oversees the Maintenance and Construction functions for all 26 Six Flags parks in North America.
In addition to his North American park responsibilities, Tim is a senior executive on the International Development team, charged with the development and design of new internationally licensed Six Flags Parks. He has worked on multiple new International theme and water parks in Saudi Arabia, Dubai, China, and Mexico.
Tim is a graduate of Wm. S. Hart High School, attended College of the Canyons, and graduated from California State University, Northridge. He holds Bachelors’ and Masters’ Degrees, as well as numerous technical certifications.
Tim lives in the City of Santa Clarita with his wife Debbie. His oldest daughter is a High School teacher in Salinas, California and his youngest daughter is a hospital Dietician living in Castaic with her husband and son. He is an avid cyclist and a board member of the Santa Clarita Valley Trail Users, volunteering regularly to build and maintain trail networks in the City Open Spaces. Additionally, he sits on the executive boards of the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation, the Valley Industry Association, the California Association of Parks and Attractions, and an Associate Director on the Board of Friends of Hart Park and Museum He has served as President of the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce, as well as serving as Chair and on boards of numerous community nonprofits. He also has served twenty years as a Planning Commissioner for the City of Santa Clarita.
Patsy Ayala, Vice-Chairperson
Lisa Eichman, Commissioner
Term Expires: December 2026
Lisa Eichman joined the Planning Commission in October 2010. She, her husband Craig and daughter Shelby have been residents of Valencia since 1986. They moved to Valencia in order to raise their daughter in a family-oriented community with quality schools. She is co-owner and founding partner of Eichman & Eichman, Tax and Accounting and also owns Gymnastics Unlimited, Santa Clarita’s oldest and largest gymnastics school with her husband. Lisa is an Enrolled Agent and a Licensed Financial Advisor. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the following organizations: All Valley Le Tip (current President), Gymnastics Unlimited Foundation (CFO), Foundation for US Historical Monuments (Treasurer and Founding Board Member). She is also the Head Coach of the Santa Clarita Special Olympics Rhythmic gymnastics team.
Renee Berlin, Commissioner
Term Expires: December 2024
Renee Berlin has been a resident of the City of Santa Clarita since 1992 and lives in Valencia with her husband Allen. Ms. Berlin retired from the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) in December 2016, where she held the position of Senior Executive Officer, Countywide Planning, responsible for the planning, development, and environmental clearance of major transit infrastructure projects. Renee also managed the development and implementation of Metro’s Systemwide Station design and the Metro Art program. At Metro, Renee worked collaboratively with local jurisdictions throughout the County to fund and implement critical mobility improvements. Examples in the City of Santa Clarita include the McBean Transit Center, Cross Valley Connector, Magic Mountain Interchange, Golden Valley Interchange, bus purchases, Metrolink stations, and numerous traffic signal, bicycle, and pedestrian projects. Renee holds a BA in Urban Studies and an MA in Urban Planning.
Renee Berlin joined the Planning Commission in January 2017. She looks forward to working with her fellow Commissioners to continue the City’s responsible growth by taking infrastructure, sustainability, and economic development into consideration and bringing the City’s 2020 Plan to fruition.
Denise Lite, Commissioner
Term Expires: December 2026
Denise Lite brings 27 years of experience in interpreting and applying the law throughout her career as an attorney. She currently serves as the Managing Partner at DaCorsi Placencio, P.C., a civil litigation and family law firm.
In addition to her professional life, Denise is a Board member of the Santa Clarita Chamber of Commerce and a member of Soroptimist International of Valencia, a local nonprofit. She and her husband support multiple nonprofits across the City of Santa Clarita.
Denise graduated from Notre Dame High School, attended Cal State Northridge and earned her Juris Doctorate from Southwestern University School of Law. She has also been certified by the California Board of Legal Specialization in Family Law.
Denise lives in Santa Clarita with her husband, John, and looks forward to serving the City of Santa Clarita.
