The Anaheim City Council on Tuesday, Oct. 29, will consider approval for a 498-unit apartment complex in Anaheim Hills’ Deer Canyon, a contentious project that has neighbors pleading for it not to get built.

The Hills Preserve housing project would be a departure from the typical single-family homes built in the area. The development would see the apartment complex with high-end amenities and some office space built on an undeveloped plot of land in the Anaheim Hills.

SALT Development, the company behind the Hills Preserve proposes to build on about a third of the 76-acre plot of land near the 91 Freeway off of Santa Ana Canyon Road. The rest of about 50 acres would be designated as open space.

SALT Development’s leaders say their project will open up access to an underutilized park nearby, Deer Canyon Park Preserve, by building new roads and trails and will help in addressing the region’s need for more housing.

Neighbors opposed to the project say it’s too much of a fire risk to have there and would worsen evacuation times during wildfires when every moment counts.

The apartment is planned to be a mid-century design with a bowling alley, rooftop pool and fitness center.

If approved, SALT Development has promised the city $500,000 for affordable housing and $2.2 million to Anaheim Fire & Rescue.

The Planning Commission approved the Hills Preserve at its Sept. 30 meeting. City staff had recommended the denial of the project over evacuation worries.

The state identifies the land for the project as in a very high fire hazard severity zone. SALT Development says its plans to add fire hydrants, reduce vegetation and build retaining walls would make the area more resistant to fires.

Anaheim Fire Chief Pat Russell told the Planning Commission he did not support the project and raised concerns over how it would affect wildfire evacuations. An environmental analysis for the Hills Preserve said having the apartments would add 24 minutes to evacuation time in a worst-case scenario on a Friday afternoon.

SALT Development has notified the city that if the Hills Preserve isn’t approved it would pursue a builder’s remedy application, allowing it to bypass current density limits and build a much bigger project. Its builder’s remedy plans call for 1,280 apartment homes constructed and 20% would need to be affordable.

The Anaheim City Council meeting begins at 5 p.m. on Tuesday in the Council Chambers in City Hall, 200 S. Anaheim Blvd. Residents who live within 1,000 feet of where the Hills Preserve would be will get up to 10 minutes to speak during public comment, and everyone else will get three minutes.

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