MB About Town: New planning director
City Manager Bruce Moe announced the appointment of Talyn Mirzakhanian as Community Development Director. Mirzakhanian had served as interim director since the departure of Carrie Tai earlier in January and as the City’s planning manager since November 2020. She will now oversee the Community Development department’s five divisions: building and safety, planning, code enforcement, traffic engineering, and environmental sustainability.
“I’m deeply grateful to Talyn Mirzakhanian for her dedication to our city,” Moe said. “She has tackled some weighty issues since joining Manhattan Beach and is perfectly suited to help guide us through the challenges ahead, “Talyn has proven herself to be capable, dedicated, and hardworking. She’s deeply experienced in complex planning matters, embraces top-level customer service, and is a great team player who doesn’t hesitate to proactively address issues and provide assistance.”
Mirzakhanian has already experienced trial by fire, overseeing the Community Development Department’s handling of Project Verandas, the residential development on Rosecrans that the Council rejected last October and then approved in January. She possesses over 18 years of planning experience in municipal government. Prior to joining the City of Manhattan Beach, she spent three years at the City of Pasadena, where she served as senior planner, zoning administrator, and plan manager. She previously spent 12 years working in the planning department for the City of Calabasas. Her expertise includes current and long-range planning, historic preservation, and the California Environmental Quality Act.
“I’m honored and humbled to serve the City of Manhattan Beach and its residents in this new role,” Mirzakhanian said. “I’m eager to lead this hardworking, devoted, and talented team of individuals whose daily efforts shape and protect the city’s built environment. I wholeheartedly commit to working hard every day of my tenure to enhance the livability, resiliency and diversity of this exceptional city.”
Mirzakhanian holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Public Policy with a concentration in Urban Planning from the University of California at Los Angeles, and a Master’s Degree in Planning from the University of Southern California. ER