Walker, who is a community development and housing programofficer for the Marin Community Foundation, replaces Michal ForiestSettles who quit within weeks of a controversial meeting duringwhich she helped turn down a South of Market proposal.

During the meeting in October, a 4-3 vote killed a nonprofitorganization's plans to renovate Sixth Street's Plaza Hotel andbuild a refurbished Filipino-American theater in its place. Manyunsatisfied people at the meeting called for changes on thecommission following the denial, saying that no competing bid hadbeen given.

Commission members say that Settles' departure comes as asurprise to them. One member, Benny Yee, who presided overyesterday's meeting as president, praised Settles and her ideas atsuch length that Walker asked him to conclude his remarks andbanged the gavel to dismiss him.