Neighbors Concerned About Plans for Office Building

A proposal to build a two-story office building at Santa Ana Canyon Road and Maude Lane that has raised concerns from nearby residents will be considered tonight by the City Council.

The structure would be on a 1-acre strip and would contain nearly 4,000 square feet, about a third of which would be used for medical and dental offices, said Greg Hastings, the city’s zoning division manager.

The city’s Planning Commission approved the project in August, but some people who live nearby have objected, saying that they fear the value of their property would be hurt and that traffic congestion would increase.

Residents also have told city officials that the area already has flooding, erosion and drainage problems that would be made worse by the project.

Rosalind Perell, a 30-year resident, said she is also concerned that the two-story building would affect her privacy, with windows that “will look into my backyard and kitchen.”

Other residents have said that parking in the area is inadequate to accommodate the project.

Hastings said that to minimize concerns, the applicant, Sam Hanna, has proposed reducing the height of the building and increasing to 19 the number of parking spaces to be added.

Hanna would not comment Monday on the proposed project.

Hastings said that to address the privacy issue, two of six windows facing homes would be opaque, and two others would be be placed above the line of vision. A plan that would provide extensive landscaping for the site has also been submitted to the city.

Hastings said Monday that some of the issues raised by residents and city officials have already been addressed and that “city planning staff is still considering the merits of the project.”

The meeting begins at 5 p.m. in council chambers, 200 S. Anaheim Blvd. Information: (714) 254-5166.