SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO

Citizens Against Uncontrolled San Juan Expansion has hired a team of experts to evaluate the environmental report for the proposed 356-acre Whispering Hills development.

Mark Nielson, president of the citizens group, said residents believe the report, completed by city-contracted consultants and paid for by developer Whispering Hills LLC, is biased in favor of the project.

The group’s team of experts includes the law firm of Shute Mihaly and Weinberger, planner Terrell Watt and biologist Robb Hamilton. The group also plans to hire a geologist.

C.J. Amstrup, senior planner for the city, said the city’s consultants are not biased because their clients are mainly other cities. “The numerous checks by independent agencies with nothing to gain or lose from the project make it virtually impossible to get a document that doesn’t address the issues properly,” he said.