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From: He athe r W <
Se nt: Thursday, January 29, 2026 12:16 PM
To: The re sa Bass <TBass@anaheim.net>
Subje ct: [EXTERN AL] Writte n Publ i c Comment – CEQA Fire and Evacuati on Impacts (Fe bruary 3 Ci ty Counci l Me e ti ng)
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Dear Ms. Bass,
Please accept this letter as written public comment for the February 3 City Council meeting regarding the proposed 400-unit high-density housing
development located within a designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone.
I am a resident of the City of Anaheim and submit this comment to ensure the following concerns are clearly entered into the administrative record
prior to the Council’s vote.
Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), a project requires preparation of a full Environmental Impact Report (EIR) when there is
substantial evidence that it may cause significant environmental impacts or expose people to substantial hazards. This project presents foreseeable
and potentially significant impacts related to wildfire risk and evacuation safety that have not been adequately analyzed.
Specifically, the current environmental review fails to meaningfully evaluate evacuation capacity under realistic wildfire conditions. Primary
evacuation routes, including Weir Canyon Road and Santa Ana Canyon Road, already experience severe congestion during normal conditions.
During the Canyon Fire 2, evacuation traffic reportedly slowed to approximately one mile per hour—demonstrating real, documented evacuation
failure even without the addition of hundreds of new housing units.
The project would significantly increase population density, vehicle trips, and emergency response demands in an area with limited egress. Reliance
on evacuation plans, fire code compliance, or public education does not constitute adequate mitigation under CEQA, as these measures do not
increase roadway capacity, reduce evacuation times, or address cumulative evacuation impacts.
CEQA requires analysis of cumulative impacts and environmental hazards based on actual conditions, not theoretical assumptions under ideal
circumstances. The existing record contains substantial evidence that wildfire evacuation impacts may be significant and unmitigated, triggering the
need for a full EIR or, at minimum, additional environmental review focused on wildfire risk and evacuation capacity.
I respectfully urge the City Council to refrain from approving this project without first requiring preparation of a full Environmental Impact Report
that rigorously analyzes wildfire hazards, evacuation timing and capacity, cumulative impacts, and feasible mitigation measures. Alternatively, the
Council should delay approval until such analysis is completed and made available for public review.
Approval without adequate CEQA review exposes the City to avoidable risk and places current and future residents in danger.
Please include this comment in the official record for the February 3 meeting and ensure it is provided to the City Council prior to their vote.
Thank you for your attention.
Sincerely,
Heather Wakely
Anaheim Resident
District 6