Anaheim : Panel Adds a New Nail to Katella Plan’s Coffin

The Anaheim Redevelopment Commission on Wednesday voted unanimously to abandon the $2.7-billion Katella Redevelopment Project, clearing the way for final City Council action on the plan Tuesday.

Four of five council members have already said they will vote to kill the project because of overwhelming public opposition.

The 35-year project was intended to upgrade dilapidated homes, alleviate traffic congestion and improve sewage lines and public facilities in a 4,400-acre area. While voting the project down, several commission members noted that without redevelopment these problems are likely to remain.

About 15 residents from the area attended the meeting and spoke against the project. Several also lauded Norman J. Priest, community development and planning director, for his “professionalism and concern.”

Priest, who has borne the brunt of public outrage, has been criticized by some council members for his handling of the Katella project.

Priest would not comment on that criticism Wednesday. He also declined comment on what the city plans to do now that the Katella project has been defeated.

“I’m just dealing with the issue at hand right now,” he said. “Too much emotionalism has been injected into this debate.”