Logo courtesy of the City of Gridley

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - The Gridley City Council earlier this month filled the final vacancy on the Planning Commission, appointing Paige Williams‑Emery to a four‑year term that runs through December 31, 2029.

Williams‑Emery, a real estate salesperson and registry nurse who works through a regional staffing agency, told the council she moved to Gridley after the Camp Fire and quickly connected with the community.

“I came when they built the FEMA camp… I came out, met people and really just fell in love with everyone,” she said.

In her application, Williams‑Emery highlighted experience in real estate, regulatory compliance and community development. She works across the Butte, Yuba and Sutter regions advising clients on property potential, zoning and local market trends. The day‑to‑day exposure to housing needs and development pressures gives her a practical understanding of the issues that come before the Planning Commission, she said.

Williams-Emery also noted more than a decade of healthcare leadership, including roles that required strict adherence to state operational codes and facility regulations. She said much of her work involved interpreting complex rules, managing operations and making objective, compliance‑based decisions, responsibilities she believes align with the Commission’s quasi‑judicial role.

The Gridley Planning Commission reviews subdivisions, zoning changes, use permits and development proposals before they reach the City Council. Commissioners also help interpret the municipal code, evaluate long‑range planning documents and ensure projects align with the city’s general plan, officials said.

Williams‑Emery has operated small businesses, including an embroidery venture and a glassblowing studio, and described ongoing work as a painter and author. She noted that creative work helps her think about community spaces and long‑term improvements, and that her experience with local events and fundraisers has given her an appreciation for Gridley’s small‑town character. She said she hopes to support planning decisions that balance growth with preservation of that identity.

Williams‑Emery told the council her work schedule would not interfere with commission duties and said she would recuse herself from any item involving her real estate business.

With no other applicants and no public opposition, the council voted unanimously to appoint her.