Improving City Goal of New Project

Setting a goal of enhancing every neighborhood in Anaheim over the next decade, officials tonight will launch the Community Planning Program at an open house at Katella High School.

Under the plan, the city has been divided into 28 areas, Deputy Planning Director Mary R. McCloskey said.

The comprehensive program “is intended to bring together the Planning Department staff and community to talk about land uses in their area and the physical characteristics of their neighborhoods,” she said.

The first area of study is bounded by Cerritos Avenue, the Orange Freeway, State College Boulevard, Placentia Avenue and the Riverside Freeway. The area contains about 500 single-family homes, commercial and industrial areas and apartment neighborhoods.

Residents of that area are invited to attend the 6:30 p.m. meeting in the school’s multipurpose room, 2200 Wagner Ave.

More than 600 residents, property and business owners of that area responded to a city survey, which will help planners draw up an action plan to enhance and preserve it the area.

In each neighborhood, a variety of land use-related topics will be considered: aesthetics, vacant property, public landscaping, lighting improvements, traffic concerns and economic development opportunities.

“Some areas will have more challenges than others,” McCloskey said.

The preservation campaign is the first of its kind citywide, she said.

“This is a long-term program we’ll be working on over the next 10 years, and we’re looking forward to this new effort out in the communities,” she said.

City Manager James D. Ruth said tonight’s first meeting with residents will give the city “the feedback we need to better meet their specific needs in the future.”

Information: (714) 254-5139.