Missouri City’s Planning & Zoning Commission has new members.

After some debate, the following five appointments were approved unanimously at the Jan. 3 City Council meeting.

• Position 1: Jeremy Davis
• Position 2: James Davidson
• Position 3: Reginald Pearson
• Position 4: Daniel Silva
• Position 7: Guy Sullaway

The appointments were made based on education, relative work experience and "spark" interviews, which are a series of interview questions applicants answered. All appointment criteria were established by the City Council at a recent retreat, city officials said on Jan. 3.

Some discussion was held regarding the appointment of Sullaway, as Council Member Monica Riley argued for the appointment of Shaizad Chatriwala instead.

According to Riley, Chatriwala had comparable education and relative work experience, while Council Member Jeffery Boney said Sullaway had a higher spark interview score and that there was a “stark difference” in interviews.

Riley did not challenge Boney’s motion, but asked if the rest of the City Council could be provided the decision matrix used by Boney for his appointment recommendations.

Council Member Floyd Emery sided with Boney, echoing the council member's previous points and adding that Chatriwala may not be right for the Planning & Zoning Commission as he is an active land developer.

"He's an active developer," he said. "Can an active developer really give a good sound recommendation or findings or argument when it comes to zoning?"

Silva is the only member of the Planning & Zoning Commission that was reappointed Jan. 3, and Sullaway is set to fill the unexpired term of Hugh Brightwell.

The City Council will appoint Positions 5, 6, 8 and 9 members of the Planning & Zoning Committee when their terms expire in June.