Plan to Widen Anaheim Intersections OKd

Over the objections of more than 20 angry property and business owners, the Anaheim City Council has approved a plan to widen the city’s busiest intersections.

The project, which could cost almost $90 million, would widen 33 intersections over the next 20 years to speed traffic and reduce air pollution.

Most of the speakers at Tuesday’s public hearing acknowledged that traffic is a problem in the city, but they objected to the intersection plan as either unnecessary or an unfair financial burden carried by few to benefit many.

All wanted assurances that they would be paid for land taken by the city for the project.

“I just hope we’re treated fairly as property owners,” said Chuck McNaas, who owns 5 acres at Katella Avenue and Haster Street, one of the targeted intersections.

The City Council’s unanimous vote to adopt the plan, effective Jan. 1, 1989, skirted the issue of how property owners at the intersections would be compensated. That will be addressed after the Nov. 8 election, when Anaheim voters will decide a $30-million bond measure that would pay for some of the project.

“The intent is to leave open for further study and deliberation methods of implementing the plan, funding and the most reasonable way to make it happen with fair payments,” Mayor Ben Bay said.

How to pay for the project and reimburse property owners for land the city needs to widen the intersections remains “the key and critical situation,” said Irv Pickler, mayor pro tem.

Under the completed project, the owners of 600 parcels would sell or donate 12 feet of land along streets forming the intersections.

But council members said Tuesday that they would not implement the plan until a way can be found to pay for it.

“To give these people just compensation for their land, that’s what concerns me,” Councilman Fred Hunter said. “I’m not ready to vote . . . for any type of ordinance that involves taking of property.”

Technically, Tuesday’s vote added 24 intersections to nine previously targeted for widening and approved an environmental impact report on the project.

“The important thing has been done,” said Paul Singer, the city’s traffic engineer. “This gives us the right of way under certain circumstances.”

Singer, pointing to city surveys that show transportation is the No. 1 concern in Anaheim, said the project is a “critical ingredient” but not the only solution to traffic problems.

“We are doing everything possible on all fronts,” he said.

Nearly all of the designated intersections are now over capacity, according to city traffic studies.

In addition to the November bond measure, which will need approval by two-thirds of voters, about $10 million for the project could be raised through developer fees, the city has estimated. Another $5 million may be available from other government sources.