County To Build 181-Unit Housing Complex In Trabuco Canyon Despite Public Outcry

TRABUCO CANYON, CA — A long-debated housing project in the foothills of the Santa Ana mountains is moving forward, with county supervisors denying an option to appeal the development.

A group of residents and conservations appealed previous approvals for Saddleback Meadows, a 181-unit development situated on 222 acres of unused land in Trabuco Canyon, back in February.

However, county supervisors denied the request for appeal in a 4-0 vote, with Vincent Sarmiento abstaining, during a public hearing on Tuesday.

The project, which was originally approved by the Orange County Board of Supervisors as a development of 705 mobile homes in 1980, has drawn criticism from residents who say the project would “result in conditions or circumstances contrary to the public health and safety and general welfare.”

Third District Supervisor Don Wagner — representing Trabuco Canyon — said the project is legally locked in because it had been approved decades ago.

If rejected, Wagner said the applicant, California Quartet, could turn to litigation against the county.

“That was really the last time this board had discretion to give a final thumbs up or thumbs down on this project,” Wagner said.