ANAHEIM : Council Vote on Park Leaves Some Angry

The City Council, in a move that angered some residents, agreed this week to let a financially troubled developer renege on a promise to construct a neighborhood park by year’s end in Anaheim Hills.

In a 4-0 vote Tuesday, the council permitted the Baldwin Co. to renovate roughly one-third of a 13-acre park site by February, 1995. Under the compromise struck last week by residents, city officials and the developer, the Baldwin Co. would still be required to complete the park by January, 1997.

The developer has told prospective home buyers for years that the vacant lot on the southeast corner of Parkglen Place and Weir Canyon Road would be a community park by December. This year, the developer said it couldn’t afford the $1.6-million park renovation cost and wanted to postpone the park’s completion until 1997.

While some of the 100 residents who packed the council chambers Tuesday night were satisfied with the compromise, others accused the council of caving into development and business interests.

Councilman Bob D. Simpson defended his decision.

“Compromise is not a dirty word,” Simpson said. “I realize it didn’t give you everything you expect . . . it’s better than nothing.”

Under the agreement, the park will include landscaping, walkways, a basketball court, temporary restroom facilities and a grassy area large enough to accommodate a soccer field. If the Baldwin Co. fails to meet the new timeline, the city could withhold future building permits.