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Date:1/13/2026 2:53:02 PM
From:"Simon Zusak"
To:"Public Comment" publiccomment@anaheim.net
Subject:[EXTERNAL] Conditional Support for the Festival Center Project – Requirement for Transit-Orie nted, Mixed-Use
Infrastructure
Warning: This email originated from outside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open attachme nts unle ss you recognize the
sender and are expecting the message.
Dear Mayor and City Council,
I am writing as a local resident to express my support for the proposed Festival Center project. However, this support is strictly conditional. For a
project of this scale to be successful and safe for Anaheim, it must be developed as a truly transit-oriented mixed-use community that prioritizes
modern infrastructure over car dependency.
Given that parts of the project site are located within a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ), the City must mandate that the
developer funds the following critical strategies to mitigate traffic and wildfire risks:
1. Advanced Multi-Modal Infrastructure
To prevent total gridlock on our local roads, we need more than just "sidewalks." The developer should fund:
• Protected Bike & Pedestrian Networks: A comprehensive system of Class IV protected bike lanes (with physical barriers) and wide, ADA-
compliant, pedestrian-friendly walkways. This should create seamless connectivity between the residential, retail, and public spaces.
• Enhanced Bus Infrastructure: Construction of dedicated bus turnouts and "smart" shelters equipped with seating, lighting, and real-time arrival
displays.
• Increased Service Frequency: The developer should provide an endowment or ongoing subsidy to OCTA to increase the frequency of local bus
service, ensuring that "transit-oriented" is a reality for residents, not just a label.
2. Wildfire Safety & Smart Traffic Mitigation
Wildfire is a constant reality in this area. To ensure we can evacuate safely, the city must require:
• Intelligent Traffic Signal Preemption: An AI-driven traffic management system that can instantly synchronize signals to favor outbound traffic and
emergency vehicles during a red-flag warning or active fire.
• Fuel-Reduction Greenbelts: The "mixed-use" design should include strategic green buffers using fire-resistant, drought-tolerant landscaping that
acts as a natural break between the development and the hillsides.
• Home Hardening & Ignition Resistance: Utilizing the highest standard of ignition-resistant building materials and vent protection to prevent ember
intrusion, exceeding current state minimums.
By requiring the developer to invest in these specific transit-oriented mixed-use strategies, Anaheim can grow responsibly without compromising
the safety of its current citizens. I urge the Council to make these infrastructure and safety commitments a mandatory part of the project’s approval.
Sincerely,
Simon