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Susana Barrios
From:Stephanie Burglin <burglin.stephanie@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, August 13,
To:Public Comment
Subject:\[EXTERNAL\] Regarding Disparities in the Proposed Midway Closure and the Magic
Way Closure
Warning: This email originated from outside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open
attachments unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
Good evening,
At our last meeting, the Mayor raised several critical questions and made multiple statements about
the appraisal process for the abandonment of public street segments and alleys. I would like to
highlight a few of her pointed inquiries and comments directed at city staff:
“Are we assessing each alley and street independently or just using overall square feet?”
“Do we do an analysis of what the whole parcel will be worth without it being divided by city
streets?”
“How does this enhance the overall value?”
“Can we assume with your expertise in housing that the parcels as one large parcel will be
worth a lot
more without the city streets?”
“I’m sensitive to the fact that this was approved 3 or 4 years ago..." which I can only assume is
a
reference to the ‘Sidhu years’
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These are all excellent points that must be addressed to ensure the city is acting in the public’s best
interest. It is imperative we conduct thorough due diligence to confirm that the fair market value is
accurate.
However, I must ask: Where were these logical questions when it came to the abandonment of Magic
Way?
Selling a public street to connect two Disney-owned properties undoubtedly increases that street’s
value. Yet, questions about the Disney-provided appraisal of the land were never asked. The simple
fact that City staff deviated from policy and allowed the applicant to provide the sole appraisal should
have raised red flags with all of you. It didn't.
Thank you for finally showing sensitivity to a development project that began years ago under Mayor
Sidhu. But do you know what other development project began under his administration?
DisneylandForward!
The Midway project used a city-approved appraiser, while Disney was allowed to control the appraisal
for Magic Way. Both projects share a concerning similarity: vital documents were not reviewed by the
city council. Again, I ask you, how can we vote on something we haven’t read?
Natalie Meeks stated, “I didn’t go through the appraisal but I’m gonna bet if we continue this and you
look at that, that value is considered in there in part of that 1.6 million.”
For the record, the appraisal was not provided as an attachment to the public hearing. Why? When
selling public land, shouldn’t the public have the right to review all documents? Or are we expected to
place the same blind trust in city staff that Ms. Meeks does?
Anaheim’s city staff and city council have not earned our trust. By consistently concealing pertinent
information, shamelessly failing to review documentation, and undercutting taxpayers’ dollars, you
have damaged your relationship with your constituents. None of you can claim to be “public servants”
when you are perpetually acting in your private interests. Moreover, you make slipshod attempts to
hide your actions and deviations from city policy. Basic Public Records Act (PRA) requests are not
being managed or completed by city staff. There is no accountability, there is no transparency, and
that’s exactly how you’ve designed it.
It should go without saying: selling public land to allow an investor to assemble one large parcel, only
to flip it for a huge profit and sell it to a developer with zero affordability, is not in the public’s best
interest.
Thank you.
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