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alt Development is planning to construct nearly 500 apartments and six luxury homes in Anaheim Hills, while also creating a 46-acre nature preserve. The Anaheim Planning Commission is expected to consider plans submitted by the Salt Lake City-based developer for building these structures on 76 acres along Deer Canyon in the hilly neighborhood south of Yorba Linda. The property is located south of the 91 Freeway and Santa Ana Canyon Road, bordered by a shopping center to the east and homes to the west and south.

    The $500 million project, known as Hills Preserve, will feature a Mid-Century Modern-style building with 498 luxury apartments ranging from studios to three-bedroom units. The building will include amenities such as a rooftop pool, bowling alley, and sauna. The seven-story building will be situated on the lowest part of the property and will be sunk into the hillside to preserve views.

    The project will also include a parking garage, six large-lot estate homes, and two pads for commercial buildings, likely medical offices and a restaurant. Salt Development will develop one side of the property and donate 46 acres, or 60 percent of the land, to the city to expand its adjacent Deer Canyon Park Preserve. The preserve, which spans 103 acres and was acquired in 1994, is currently used for hiking and horseback riding.

    Thomas Vegh, co-founder of Salt Development, believes that this project is worthy of Anaheim Hills and has taken an extra step to make it special. The project was proposed in late 2022 and has faced opposition from local residents who are concerned about traffic and infrastructure. They argue that the development would strain roadways and water supplies, displace wildlife, and create fire risks.

    An environmental impact report conducted for the development revealed that during a worst-case scenario fire evacuation would take 210 minutes if the apartment homes are built, compared to 186 minutes if they are not. Salt Development has pledged to contribute $500,000 to a new city trust fund to finance affordable housing. The apartments are expected to rent from $2,400 to $16,000 per month.

    If approved by the Planning Commission, the project would likely be presented to the City Council next month. If approved, the developer could break ground as soon as next summer.