ORANGE

City Council members will hear an appeal tonight by Ralph Zehner, whose plans to build apartments behind his Old Towne house have been denied by the Planning Commission.

Zehner first proposed developing his half-acre property in April, generating a firestorm of controversy in the single-family neighborhood on East Culver Avenue. In October, he submitted drawings for two duplex units and a carriage unit, along with a seven-car garage. But planning commissioners said the design does not fit in with the historic neighborhood and does not comply with the Old Towne Design Standards.

Council members will take the final vote on the issue after a public hearing, which begins at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 300 E. Chapman Ave. The regular council meeting begins at 4:30 p.m. Information: (714) 744-5500.