Week in Review : MAJOR EVENTS, IMAGES AND PEOPLE IN ORANGE COUNTY NEWS. : CITIES : ‘Slow Growthers’ Win Irvine Council Election

They defeated the all-powerful Irvine Co.’s slate of candidates.

Now the new majority of “slow growthers” on the Irvine City Council is taking aim at the fast pace of development in the planned suburban community created by the Irvine Co.

“We are going to get down to business right away,” said Councilman Larry Agran, who was resoundingly reelected to a third term.

Agran discussed ending Irvine’s participation in a multi-city agreement to build three controversial freeways and permanently zoning thousands of acres for open space that have long been earmarked by the Irvine Co. for development.

Agran said he had already discussed his plans with incumbent Councilman Ray Catalano, an ally, and Councilman-elect Edward Dornan, an Agran ally on the city’s Planning Commission.

There were 10 candidates seeking two council seats. But the race narrowed down to Agran, Dornan and pro-business candidates Tom Jones and Hal Maloney, who drew support from Irvine Co. officials.