North OC Times

A proposal for a new development in east Anaheim was turned down by the Anaheim City Council. The project, known as Hills Preserve, included plans for a seven-story building with 498 upscale apartments and a 40,000-square-foot commercial space. Additionally, it proposed preserving 50 acres of open space.

The development was planned on 76 acres of private land next to Deer Canyon Park Preserve, a city park featuring natural open spaces and trails. The site is located along Santa Ana Canyon near the Riverside (91) Freeway.

The proposal received significant attention from local residents, many of whom opposed it due to concerns about the scale of development and potential fire and evacuation issues. However, some residents and construction trade unions supported the project.

During the council meeting that began Tuesday evening and concluded early Wednesday, over 400 written comments were submitted by the public, and more than 60 individuals spoke at the meeting. Ultimately, the council voted 5-2 against the project. Mayor Ashleigh Aitken and council members Jose Diaz, Natalie Rubalcava, Steve Faessel, and Natalie Meeks—who represents District 6 where Hills Preserve was proposed—voted in opposition.

Following this decision, SALT Development LLC from Salt Lake City has several options. They can apply for a rehearing on due process grounds within seven days. If approved for rehearing, the council must hold it within 30 days; otherwise, it results in rejection.

SALT Development may also consider submitting an alternative proposal under "builder's remedy," which allows developers to bypass local zoning if they include affordable housing in their plans. Although SALT has discussed three potential builder’s remedy proposals with the city, no formal plan has been filed yet for review.