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Susana Barrios
From:Shane H. <shanerdill@yahoo.com>
Sent:Tuesday, AM
To:Public Comment
Subject:\[EXTERNAL\] Public Comment - Proposed Deer Canyon Apartment 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 also 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. Safety has to the paramount factor in
this decision.
1. 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. History has shown we already do not have sufficient and timely evacuation routes in the area. I
can't quite understand why this alone wouldn't be enough to detour the project.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
In light of these important and relative concerns, I urge the City Council to reconsider the Deer Canyon
apartment project. The long-term impacts of the above points 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.
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Thank you for considering these comments. I appreciate your commitment to listening to the voices of
Anaheim residents.
Sincerely,
Shane Hendrickson
Anaheim, Ca 92808
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