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Susana Barrios
From:James Oppeau <joppeau@me.com>
Sent:Monday, October
To:Public Comment
Subject:\[EXTERNAL\] NO on Deer Canyon Project
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Dear Anaheim City Council,
I am writing to express my serious concerns regarding the proposed 498-unit Deer Canyon apartment complex in Anaheim Hills. While I
recognize the need to address Southern California's housing challenges, this particular development on the 76-acre wilderness area off
Santa Ana Canyon Road raises several critical issues that would negatively impact our community and environment.
1. Increased Traffic, Noise, and Pollution: The proposed development would significantly increase traffic on Santa Ana Canyon
Road, directly affecting families who live along or near the route. Currently, the noise and smog from the nearby 91 Freeway
already impact residents, and this additional traffic burden would exacerbate the issue, diminishing our community's quality of
life. Our neighborhoods cannot endure the worsening conditions that this development would impose.
2. Destruction of Local Wildlife Habitat: The Deer Canyon area is home to various wildlife species, whose habitats would be
destroyed by this speculative project. This natural area serves as a vital sanctuary for these species, and the proposed
development would result in the irreversible loss of biodiversity and disrupt the ecological balance of the region.
3. Loss of Vegetation Benefiting Air Quality: The vegetation in Deer Canyon plays an essential role in filtering the air, helping
mitigate smog from the 91 Freeway. When freeway congestion increases, many vehicles, including heavy trucks, exit on
Imperial Highway and take the winding route through our area to bypass traffic, adding even more pollution.
Removing this vegetation would have direct, adverse effects on air quality for Anaheim Hills residents.
4. Increased Safety Risks in a High-Risk Zone: Adding nearly 500 units in Anaheim Hills raises serious safety concerns. Our area sits
near the San Andreas Fault, increasing the risk of structural failure and significant danger during earthquakes. Additionally, Anaheim
Hills is at high risk for wildfires, and the increased population density would complicate evacuation during emergencies, putting lives at
risk. Developing in a high-risk area like this is simply not prudent, as it would likely result in complex and potentially hazardous
evacuation scenarios.
In light of these concerns, I urge the City Council to reconsider the Deer Canyon apartment project. The long-term impacts on traffic,
environmental stability, air quality, and resident safety in Anaheim Hills should be prioritized over speculative real estate interests.
Rather than contribute to overdevelopment in a sensitive area, I hope the Council will focus on sustainable, well-considered solutions
that genuinely address the housing crisis without compromising the integrity of our community.
Thank you for considering these comments.
Jim Oppeau
Sent from my iPad
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