The deadline to apply for a seat on the Teton County Planning Commission has been extended until Dec. 1 to allow time for more candidates to apply.

County Planning Director Jeff Daugherty said the deadline was extended two weeks because the applicants are mostly from the west bank.

“We wanted to have a broader geographic representation of candidates,” Daugherty said.

“That’s not to say a candidate wouldn’t make it on just because [he or she] is from Wilson,” Daugherty said. “But perspectives can vary widely depending on geographic regions in the county.”

So far, of the nine men and women who have applied, four are from Teton Village or Wilson. The three planning commissioners whose terms are not expiring — Tony Wall, Paul Duncker and Forrest McCarthy — also are from the west bank.

Daugherty said applicants from the west bank include Mark Newcomb, Greg Epstein, Tim Carney and David Quinn.

From Jackson, Ray Elser and Susan Garlow have applied. Kasey Mateosky, representing Hog Island, also submitted an application, Daugherty said. Joe Palmer, of Alta, also reapplied for his seat, which is expiring in December.

The other seat expiring belongs to board Chairman Larry Hamilton. Hamilton said he will not seek reappointment because his consulting business is going to take him out of the country for two to three months in 2010.

Terms begin Jan. 1 and run for three years.

The Teton County Board of Commissioners makes appointments to the planning commission. Call 733-8094 for information on how to apply.