More than a dozen individuals, including several Bethel Church leaders and pastors, have applied for the Planning Commission. As riverfront planning pends, Audette is recommending Bethel Media CEO David Stine and builder and developer Joshua Johnson.
Annelise Pierce ● News ● April 1, 2024
April 1, 8:06 pm we have updated the story to correct the date when the commision seats open. We have also added the name of a commissioner mistakenly left out of our summary of current members.
The Redding Planning Commission consists of seven members who deal with land-use issues, including updates and amendments to the city’s planning documents, and zoning policies.
As Redding’s Mayor, Tenessa Audette is recommending two new appointments to the Planning Commission, to take the places of outgoing members this spring. Her recommendations for the positions will come before the Redding City Council on Tuesday, April 2.
Audette is proposing David Stine, the CEO of Bethel Media and a Shasta Angel investor, and Joshua Johnson, a builder and real estate developer who ran against Audette for City Council in 2022.
Johnson’s background in real estate development seems well-correlated with a role on the Planning Commission, but it’s less clear why Stine, one of Bethel’s senior leaders, who appears to have no relevant background, was chosen. Audette has not responded to three requests for comments from Shasta Scout on why she hopes to appoint him for the role.
Stine would take the place of Marcus Partin, a businessman and former candidate for Redding City Council, who is filling a partial term on the Commission, while Johnson would fill the seat of Cameron Middleton, a realtor and member of the Asphalt Cowboys.
Both will end their four-year terms in April 2024, about a year before the Redding Riverfront Specific Plan is expected to appear before the Planning Commission for review.
In 2022, current Commissioners Partin and Middleton were among community members who opposed development that was being considered at the Redding Riverfront at that time. In early 2023, the Redding City Council voted to delay a decision on riverfront development pending an update to the decades-old Redding Riverfront Specific Plan, a detailed document that outlines how land by the riverfront can be used.
In contrast to the outgoing Commissioners Johnson, who has previously clarified that he does not attend Bethel Church, was vocal in his support for the Redding riverfront development during his run for Redding City Council. His application for the Commission indicates he generally continues to support development.
“I care that our city grows well and that the government enables healthy growth without unnecessary friction,” he wrote, “which is why I want to bring my development, building and real estate experience to the board at this time.”
While Stine has not been visible in Redding politics until now, his application for the Commission makes clear that he too supports business expansion and new development.
“I’m passionate about growing our city,” Stine wrote, “by making it easier for businesses and entrepreneurs to expand.”
Audette, along with Council member and Bethel elder Julie Winter, has also supported development at the Redding Riverfront, expressing particular interest in the potential for sports facilities at the site.
Applications for the Planning Commission are received on a rolling basis. In response to a document request by Shasta Scout, city staff released fifteen additional applications for the Planning Commission.
In addition to Stine and Johnson, applicants included a CalTrans engineer, a farmer, a nonprofit executive, several real estate agents, and several business owners, including Mayor Audette’s husband, Jeff Audette. Bethel pastor Michael Van Tinterin also applied as did another member of Bethel’s Senior Leadership team, Taff Harvey, who cited a specific interest in Redding riverfront development on her application.
Audette, who teaches God and Government at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry was voted in as Redding’s mayor by two fellow Bethel-connected Council members, Winter and Jack Munns during a contentious vote in January 2024. Redding’s outgoing mayor, current Council member Michael Dacquisto, said the vote was the work of the “Bethel juggernaut,” a reference to his concerns about Bethel’s level of influence on the city.
Audette was also one of three panelists who spoke as part of Bethel’s “Engaging U.S. Politics 2024” event just before the March 5 primary election. Bethel Church teaches a theology known as the 7 Mountains Mandate, which includes the idea that christians should “take dominion” over all aspects of society, including government, in order to “bring heaven to earth.”
If appointed, Stine and Johnson will join five other Planning Commissioners, including financial planner and Shasta Land Trust board member Aaron Hatch, real estate agent Michelle Goedert, environmental scientist and business owner Brandi Greene, developer and Shasta Angel Luke Miner and broker Greg Balkovich.
The Redding Planning Commission will review the Redding Riverfront Specific Plan update and provide recommendations to the Council, likely in May or June of 2025.
Disclosure: Annelise Pierce is a former member of Bethel Church.
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