Commissioner moves on to a life in art

June Casagrande

He waited almost 10 years to serve on the Planning Commission, but

now Shant Agajanian has stepped down to pursue an artist’s life at

his new home in Joshua Tree.

“It was time for a change,” Agajanian said. “I love Newport Beach.

I love the climate and the people. But it was time to shift gears and

to begin a life that’s even more satisfying than it was before.”

Agajanian, 55, resigned in mid-May and said he will continue to

work as an economic advisor, but that he will limit his hours to give

himself more time to pursue furniture design, painting and building

the first of what he hopes will be several private residential artist

retreats.

Agajanian is a native Armenian who was born in Cairo, Egypt, grew

up in Commerce, since the age of 6, and moved to Newport Beach 18

years ago. He first put in an application to serve on the Planning

Commission in 1990, but didn’t land the appointment until 2000.

“I have a PhD in planning, I consult in planning and I felt I had

something to contribute to Newport Beach,” said Agajanian, who is

divorced and has no children.

But when he first took his seat on the committee, he quickly got a

lesson that even his graduate degrees from Cal Poly Pomona and the

University of Wisconsin at Madison couldn’t teach him.

“I’ve had to deal with planning commissions a lot, and having so

frequently been on the other side of the dais, it took a completely

new sense of objectivity. I had to become more understanding of both

sides. Trying to find this objectivity and this balance -- this sort

of measured response -- was very new and eye opening for me.”

The biggest issue Agajanian presided over, hands down, was the

temple built by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“I saw so many people pack the chambers,” he said. “It turned out

really well. I thought Steve Bromberg came through like a champ to

negotiate all of the outstanding points. When the church reduced it

voluntarily, it really turned out happily ever after.”

He credits his council colleagues with setting a high standard for

the city by working to ensure fairness for applicants while still

looking out for the city as a whole.

“I’m happy also that I was one of seven. I’m not sure I could play

the Solomon act by myself,” Agajanian said. “I learned a lot from my

colleagues.”

The City Council has already begun interviewing applicants to

serve out Agajanian’s term, which ends in 2004.

Council members are expected to announce their candidate for

several seats on the commission and other bodies on June 10. Their

final vote is expected June 24.

“I really do appreciate his service,” Mayor Steve Bromberg said.

“He was a nice addition to our Planning Commission and brought a

different perspective. We’ll miss him and I wish him the very best.”