Item 2 - Dean Mouren-LaurensFrom:Lucy Mouren-Laurens
To:Nicholas J. Taylor
Cc:Ashleigh Aitken; Natalie Meeks; Ryan Balius; Carlos A. Leon; Natalie Rubalcava; Norma C. Kurtz; Kristen Maahs
Subject:[EXTERNAL] DEV2021-00223 PROPOSED
Date:Thursday, March 20, 2025 3:36:28 PM
Importance:High
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From the Desk of
Mr. & Mrs. Dean Mouren-Laurens
Proper T’s, LLC
6912 Capstone Drive
Huntington Beach, California 92647
Reference: 860 South Rose Place, Anaheim
Dear Mr. Nick Taylor,
Ladies and Gentlemen of the City Council,
It is, of course, not unusual for government to be involved in questions of land use
and urban planning. However, when that involvement extends to the point where it
seeks to reshape the very fabric of how we live, work, and develop our cities, we must
ask ourselves a fundamental question: are we, as a society, not undermining the
essential principles of liberty, property rights, and the free market in the process?
I come before you today with great concern about the Environmental Justice Element
and its potential consequences. You are, of course, well-intentioned in your goal to
address the disproportionate environmental burdens placed on certain communities,
and I do not doubt your commitment to improving the quality of life for Anaheim’s
residents. However, the method you propose—the further entrenchment of
government oversight and regulation—may ultimately result in more harm than good.
The essential problem here is one of governance. When we extend the reach of
government into such a sensitive and vital area as land use, we run the risk of
creating a bloated, inefficient bureaucracy that distorts the natural forces of the
market. It is through the private sector that solutions to environmental challenges are
most efficiently realized. Whether in the form of innovative businesses, community-led
initiatives, or private property owners acting responsibly, the market has always been
the best vehicle for fostering sustainable development.
Now, I am well aware that you will argue that some communities have been
disproportionately impacted by pollution and environmental degradation, and that may
be true. But I ask you: is it the function of government to micromanage the
development of every square foot of land, to create new mandates and restrictions
that will only add layers of complexity and cost to the process of building and
investing in this city? Is that the kind of environment we want for our entrepreneurs,
our developers, our local businesses?
You propose a system in which the state holds the power to decide what gets built,
where it gets built, and how it is used. You will argue that this is in the interest of
fairness and equity, but I caution you: history teaches us that central planning always
carries unintended consequences. With government as the gatekeeper, we run the
risk of disincentivizing private investment, increasing the cost of housing, and stifling
the very innovation that will solve these problems in the long run. If the goal is
environmental justice, we must ask whether we are achieving it through sound policy
or merely extending the power of government, with all the inefficiency that entails.
At its heart, what we are witnessing here is an encroachment on the foundational
American belief in limited government and individual rights. We should not, in our zeal
to correct perceived imbalances, create a system in which governmental control is so
pervasive that it inhibits the very entrepreneurial spirit that has made this
county/country great.
Thus, I ask that you reconsider this course of action and, instead, focus on
empowering individuals and private entities to innovate, solve problems, and create
the kinds of development that are both environmentally responsible and economically
viable. The goal of environmental justice should not come at the expense of liberty
and free enterprise. It should seek ways to harness the power of the market to
produce real, sustainable change.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Respectfully ,
Dean Mouren-Laurens
Member-Manager
Proper T’s, LLC