T
he City of Anaheim has rejected a $500 million luxury apartment complex in Anaheim Hills, citing concerns over wildfire risks. The project, proposed by Salt Development, would have built 498 units and 40,000 square feet of commercial space on 76 acres south of the 91 Freeway. Despite approval from the city Planning Commission, the City Council voted 5-2 to deny the development, with council members citing the area's high fire hazard severity zone.

    Councilwoman Natalie Meeks argued that the project would have hindered wildfire evacuations and posed a significant risk to residents. The developer had offered to donate 46 acres of land to expand Deer Canyon Park Preserve and fund affordable housing elsewhere in the city. However, concerns over fire safety and evacuation routes remained a major concern for council members.

    Salt Development's co-founder Brian Hobbs accused opponents of exaggerating wildfire risks and introducing "new facts" to scare off elected officials. The developer had threatened to invoke the state builder's remedy if the project was denied, which would have allowed them to bypass local zoning rules and build 1,280 homes on the site with a required 20% affordable housing threshold.