NORTH COUNTY —— Encinitas Councilwoman Maggie Houlihan, Del Mar Councilman Dave Druker, and Chula Vista Mayor Steve Padilla have been nominated by the county Board of Supervisors as possible appointees to the California Coastal Commission.

The three names were in a letter from Supervisor Pam Slater-Price to Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles, which the board approved Tuesday. Nunez is expect to appoint one person by June 15 to fill the two-year term held by San Diego Councilman Scott Peters, who announced in April he will not seek reappointment.

"(Board) Chairman Pam Slater-Price believes the candidates are qualified to serve on the Coastal Commission," her chief of staff, John Weil, said Friday. "All three are moderates. All three will consider environmental protection and the economy when making their decisions. That's a balanced approach that California needs."

The powerful 12-member Coastal Commission board oversees development along the state's coast, including important issues such as beach access, sand replenishment, and lagoon restoration. The board meets for a single three- to four day session each month, usually at a hotel or convention center in various coastal cities to be near residents affected by important decisions.

At least three more names will submitted to Nunez by the county's City Selection Committee, which includes the mayor or the mayor's representative from each of the county's 18 cities.

Committee Chairman Joe Kellejian, a Solana Beach councilman, said that so far no names have been suggested to the group.

"This is a very important position," Kellejian said. "It's very prestigious, and it means a lot to San Diego County to have representation on the commission."

He said the committee suggested six names, including Peters, when Peters was appointed by then-Speaker of the Assembly Herb Wesson in June 2002.

Houlihan said "a number of people" had suggested she apply for the appointment.

"I truly would welcome the opportunity to serve the state and the city of Encinitas," she said. "It would be an honor."

A native Californian, Houlihan said she's always been an avid beachgoer interested in coastal issues. Wide, clean beaches attract tourists whose spending boosts the local economy, she said.

Studies have shown that beach-related businesses contribute $43 million a year to the Encinitas economy, she said, and $36 million of that comes from tourists.

Druker said Friday he was pleased with his nomination, and that representation is important to Del Mar because of local projects such as the San Dieguito Lagoon restoration that soon will be considered by the commission.

Oceanside Councilwoman Esther Sanchez said Friday she hopes her name will be submitted by the City Selection Committee.

"I understand the speaker is very interested in appointing a Latina or Latino," Sanchez said, adding that it would be the first time a Latino had represented San Diego County on the commission.

"I'm very interested in environmental issues, coming from a coastal city," she said.

A spokesman for Nunez said Peters' term expired Friday, but that he will continue to serve for 60 days or until his replacement is appointed.

The seat is one of six on the board that are held by elected local government officials. Six others are held by representatives of the public.

Peters said in April he had decided not to seek reappointment so he could devote his full time to the unfolding crisis at San Diego City Hall.

Contact staff writer Phil Diehl at (760) 943-2314 or pdiehl@nctimes.com.