Members of the Maricopa Planning & Zoning Commission elected James Singleton and Alfonso Juarez during their Monday meeting to respectively serve as the new chairman and vice chairman of the board.

The two were voted in unanimously by fellow commissioners without feedback.

The P&Z is composed of Maricopa City Council-appointed volunteers who plan and advise the city’s development. They are responsible for reviewing development applications and making recommendations for the city council to consider before voting on development projects.

Former Chair Bill Robertson, who was not a candidate for re-election, said he believed “fresh management styles are good for the mission.”

Robertson and his successor collaborated to create 347Facts.com two years ago. The site, administered by Singleton, last year aggregated thousands of emails to lawmakers pleading for State Route 347 improvements.

Earlier today, InMaricopa reported that legislation to expand SR 347 for the first time in decades had advanced at the State Capitol.

“It’s my belief that commissioners willing to serve as chair or vice chair should be afforded that opportunity,” he told InMaricopa. “This also prevents personal agendas from taking root or being pushed.”

He said he nominated Singleton due to his previous performance as vice chair and for his “ability to communicate openly and fairly.”

“His decisions are sound and based off required findings and the code, not personal desire for a specific outcome,” he said.

Singleton said he was grateful for the nomination, adding he nominated Juarez to serve as vice chair due to “his thoughtful contributions to our discussions.”

“I’m confident our commission will continue guiding Maricopa’s development in the right direction,” Singleton told InMaricopa.