The Santa Clarita City Council approved Councilmember Bob Kellar’s nomination and appointed Philip M. Hart to fill a vacancy on the Planning Commission during the council’s regular meeting Tuesday night.

Hart was selected on the recommendation of a community-driven advisory panel and will replace Charles Heffernan, who resigned earlier this year.

“Phil has great knowledge of the area and what is going on in our community. I feel he will be an outstanding planning commissioner for our City,” said Councilman Bob Kellar.

Hart has been a Santa Clarita resident since 1988 and recently retired as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Logix Federal Credit Union after 28 years as a member of the senior executive team.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors of St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo and is a past member of the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors.

“I have seen the City grow significantly over the past 30 years. I would like to give back to the community I love so much and help it grow responsibly for the next 30 years. I feel my work experience provides me with a balanced perspective on growth and the needs of the community,” said Hart.

Hart was recommended to the City Council for appointment from a pool of eight applicants by a five-member advisory panel, comprised of Santa Clarita business and community leaders.

Following a thorough interview process with each candidate, the panel recommended Hart to Councilman Kellar and the City Council voted unanimously to approve his appointment.