BREA : Council to Discuss Olinda Heights Project

The City Council, accused of moving too quickly toward approval of a residential development proposed for the hills above Brea, has scheduled a special meeting Wednesday to discuss the project with consultants and staff.

Council members spent much of this week’s meeting asking questions about potential traffic, pollution and land-use problems at the Olinda Heights development, approved by the Planning Commission in May. The session was cut short, however, when a geologic consultant fainted at the podium.

The council members since then have been fending off allegations by a number of residents that the panel is taking the decision lightly.

“There is no such thing as a slam-dunk on this project,” Councilman Glenn G. Parker said. “I’m disappointed when I hear it’s a done deal. This project has received more scrutiny than any other project in the 14 years I’ve been with the city.”

Texas-based developer Santa Fe Energy Resources Inc. is seeking approval to build the master-planned community, which would have a total of 867 single-family homes, apartments and housing units for senior citizens and faculty and staff of Cal State Fullerton and other educational institutions.

The proposed 284-acre development, in the once oil-rich hillsides north of Carbon Canyon Road and east of Valencia Avenue, would include an elementary school, a historical center and recreational facilities.

A group of residents has protested the plan, however, saying that the housing is too dense for the hillsides and would generate heavy traffic.

City staff reports, however, have so far supported the claims of Santa Fe officials, who said that traffic mitigation and other measures would be adequate to solve potential problems.

Wednesday’s public session will begin at 6 p.m. in City Council chambers, 1 Civic Center Circle.