10 (251)Date:3/2/2026 10:04:03 PM
From:"Lindsy M"
To:"Public Comment" publiccomment@anaheim.net
Subject:[EXTERNAL] Opposition to Proposed 447-Unit Development at Festival Shopping Cente r
Attachment:Fire behind my street..pdf;Gridlock from fire.pdf;
Y ou don't often get em ail from . L earn w h y th is is im portant
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Dear Council:
I am writing to formally express my opposition to the proposed 447-unit development at the Festival Shopping Center.
During the last major evacuation, I was at work in Mission Viejo. It took nearly three hours to get home, traveling from Santiago to Serrano. When
I finally reached the top of Serrano near Anaheim Hills Elementary School, just a few blocks from my home, law enforcement officers stopped all
incoming traffic and would not allow residents to proceed. I was unable to return home or retrieve any belongings.
Fortunately, my sister, who teaches at a nearby school, was able to reach my house before road closures intensified and collected my dog, dog
food, and a few essential items. As I turned around and attempted to leave the area toward Villa Park, it took two hours to travel approximately
two miles due to severe gridlock.
This experience underscores a serious public safety concern. Our current infrastructure and evacuation routes are already strained during
emergency situations. Adding 447 residential units in a designated high fire-risk zone will only exacerbate congestion, delay emergency response,
and increase the risk to residents.
We are not in a position to support additional development in an area with known evacuation constraints and wildfire exposure. I urge you to
reconsider this proposal with public safety as the primary priority. Our community deserves responsible planning that does not place lives at
unnecessary risk.
For your reference, I have enclosed photographs taken from my home during the fire, as well as images documenting the traffic conditions while
evacuating.
Sincerely,
L. Martin