Board denies appeal of Saddleback Meadows setbacks after residents raise wildfire and water concerns

The Orange County Board of Supervisors on May 5 denied an appeal of a planning‑commission approval for the Saddleback Meadows development’s site‑development standards (a use permit for setbacks), concluding the board lacked legal grounds on the narrow issue before it despite extensive public objections about wildfire risk, water supply and environmental review.

The public hearing drew residents and environmental groups who urged the board to pause approvals and require updated studies. Diane Reed, a Hidden Ridge resident, said evacuation capacity was insufficient and cited Assembly Bill 2911 in arguing that projects creating shared egress must demonstrate safe evacuation routes. "Until evacuation capacity and fire protection are demonstrated to be adequate for both Saddleback Meadows and Hidden Ridge, approval is inconsistent with both statute and prudent risk management," she told the board.

Multiple speakers raised related points: Cindy Goss said OCFA’s master fire plan and fuel‑modification details had not been publicly disclosed and that the project’s documents focus on internal spread…