The Walt Disney Co.’s ambitious plan to enhance and renovate its Anaheim theme park and resort has reached a significant milestone with the release of an environmental impact report. This report provides details on how the project will affect the environment.
Anaheim unveiled a comprehensive 17,000-page report on September 14th for DisneylandForward. This project aims to expand the attractions, shops, and restaurants within the existing 490-acre footprint of the resort.
While the four-year construction phase will inevitably create some noise pollution, air quality, and greenhouse gas emissions in the surrounding community, the report concludes that there will be no negative impact on transportation or the aesthetics of the neighborhood.
In order to proceed with the plan, Disney must obtain approval from Anaheim to rezone various areas of the resort for mixed-use land development. An environmental impact report is required for any new construction to ensure compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and the California Environmental Quality Act. The goal is to disclose the potential effects of a project on the natural and human environment and outline efforts to mitigate those effects.
While Disneyland has not yet presented specific construction plans, it has mentioned examples such as Tokyo Disneyland’s Fantasy Springs’ Frozen Kingdom and Shanghai Disneyland’s Zootopia-inspired expansion. An “Avatar”-themed experience may also be part of the forthcoming attractions.
Rachel Alde, vice president of development for Disney Resorts, stated at a press reception on Thursday that, “We cannot even begin to design at that level until we get the guidance of what we can and cannot build.”
Funded by Disney and commissioned by the city of Anaheim, the report analyzed 16 areas of potential impact, including energy, water conservation, cultural resources, wildlife, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Joe Haupt, CEO of real estate development firm Spectrum Development Group, explains that the report assumes a “worst-case scenario” to assess potential outcomes. For example, an acoustic engineer spent two weeks in the park collecting sound profiles to model how a design shift could affect noise pollution.
Disney has proposed key mitigation measures, such as installing 12-foot-tall noise barriers and restricting aerial firework shows in certain areas. To address concerns about aesthetics, Disneyland will employ a “360-degree architectural design” to enhance public views from nearby residential properties.
The first environmental impact report for Disneyland was conducted in 1993, when greenhouse gas emissions estimates were not required by California law. Since then, Disney has implemented measures to reduce the carbon footprint of its employees’ commutes. With DisneylandForward, the park plans to invest in pedestrian bridges, another parking structure, and a new transportation center to address traffic congestion.
To address air quality issues, Disneyland plans to recycle demolition debris and use low-emission paints, among other mitigation efforts. Many waste reduction and energy efficiency strategies are already in place at the Anaheim theme park.
DisneylandForward, introduced in 2021, aims to expand by building new attractions, shops, and eateries in currently underdeveloped areas of the resort. These areas include spaces adjacent to two Disney hotels west of the theme parks and a parking lot east of the resort. The proposal does not involve expanding the park’s square footage.
The existing zoning laws, drafted in 1990, dictate which areas of the park can be designated for hotels, retail, dining, and theme park attractions. Disney argues that for a more diverse and integrated experience that caters to the next generation of consumers, a portion of the land should be rezoned for mixed-use purposes. However, Anaheim’s current laws do not permit such zoning. Only 46% of the approved 6.8 million square footage from 1990 has been developed.
In May, Disney presented its economic analysis for the project. According to a commissioned report from the Woods Center for Economic Analysis and Forecasting at Cal State Fullerton, for every $1 billion invested in redeveloping and updating Disneyland Resort, the project is estimated to generate $253 million annually in economic output, $15 million in tax revenue, and 2,292 jobs.
However, the expansion of the park could exacerbate the shortage of affordable housing options in the local area, as noted by Bill Halligan, a consultant from Harris and Associates who has previously worked on environmental impact reports for Anaheim.
Halligan states, “Any expansion of Disneyland will increase employment, which is a good thing. But the issues in California are related to housing affordability. How do you provide adequate housing for the future employees?”
Many Disneyland workers, who have struggled with financial difficulties, may soon receive a wage increase. In July, a California appellate court ruled that Disneyland had unlawfully evaded a living-wage law passed by Anaheim voters in 2018, potentially raising the pay for resort workers to nearly $20 per hour.
The environmental report will undergo a 45-day public comment period until October 30th. Afterward, the city will respond to comments and conduct public workshops and hearings. The Anaheim Planning Commission will hold the first public workshop on October 9th. The Anaheim City Council will also host two additional public workshops before issuing a final report and conducting hearings. Disney anticipates that the project will be voted upon by the council by the end of 2024.
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