Panel Rejects Additions to Anaheim Hills Wall

The Anaheim Planning Commission Monday voted to deny a developer permission to build decorative additions to a wall that has caused friction among Anaheim Hills residents.

Developer Vic Peloquin was seeking permission to add 7-foot, 3-inch brick columns at 40-foot intervals along the 3,200-foot-long, 6-foot wall on scenic Nohl Ranch Road. The wall is part of the Peralta Hills project of 41 homes expected to sell for $1 million to $2 million each.

After hearing from residents who were about evenly split between those in favor of the wall and those wanting it torn down, the Planning Commission voted, 3 to 2, to deny Peloquin’s request. The vote came despite a report by the commission staff that the wall violates no city codes.

Foes of the wall say it blocks views of a canyon area and contend that the city should have required an environmental impact report because of noise and traffic.

Appeals Planned

But Peloquin said the wall is needed to protect the privacy and safety of homeowners in the exclusive Peralta Hills development and said a sound study of the wall revealed no significant impact.

He said he will appeal the planning commission decision to the City Council.

But homeowners opposing the wall said they will also appeal to the council to require an environmental impact study or a public hearing on the issue. Robert Zimmel, a spokesman for the opposition, said if the city does not act, his group will consider bringing a lawsuit to force an environmental impact study.