31 (485)
Susana Barrios
From:Deborah Biscotti <deborah.biscotti@heartland.us>
Sent:Tuesday, October 29, 2024 11:49 PM
To:Public Comment
Subject:\[EXTERNAL\] Deer Canyon Apartment Project
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Dear Anaheim City Council,
I am writing to express my urgent 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-
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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. I appreciate your commitment to listening to the
voices of Anaheim residents.
Sincerely,
Debbie Biscotti
Anaheim Hill Resident for over 29 years
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