Safer Evacuations, Smarter Growth

Community members have raised serious concerns about the proposed Anaheim Hills Festival Specific Plan Amendment, focusing primarily on wildfire safety and evacuation risks.

The letter argues that the Project's Environmental Impact Report (EIR) contains critical errors in its evacuation analysis. Specifically, it claims the report misinterprets the City's official "Know Your Way" evacuation maps by assuming nearby residential developments would evacuate in a different direction, when City plans show they would rely on the same roads. As a result, the analysis may significantly understate evacuation times and cumulative traffic impacts during a wildfire emergency.

Residents also point out that the site is located within a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone and already experiences evacuation constraints. A nearby project was previously denied due to similar safety concerns, yet its potential impact is not fully accounted for here.

In addition, the letter asserts that required mitigation measures are limited, largely construction-focused, and not enforceable long-term protections for residents. It calls for revisions to the EIR, stronger and binding safety measures, and recirculation of the environmental review before any approval.

Given ongoing wildfire evacuation studies by the City, the letter urges officials to delay approval until updated evacuation guidance is completed, emphasizing that public safety must be the priority.