Disney Review Consultant May Be Hired

Disney’s tentative plans to build a second theme park here will take a step forward next week if the City Council agrees to hire a consultant to lay groundwork for an environmental review of property near Disneyland.

Approval of the $30,000 contract with Michael Brandman Associates would put the city back on track in its competition with Long Beach, where Disney earlier this year unveiled plans for a $2.8-billion amusement park with a water theme. “It’s a drastic step,” City Manager James Ruth said. “We’re ready to move.”

Officials of the entertainment giant tempered the city’s enthusiasm for the project.

“We’re on track. It’s just another step in the whole planning process,” said Kerry Scott Hunnewell, director of development for the Disney Development Co.

The Brandman firm would have 45 days to outline goals for an environmental review of the 1,040-acre area around Disneyland. Such a review would detail the effects of a new park on existing roads, freeways, nearby residents and businesses, plus note improvements that would be necessary for development. The actual review could take up to one year.

Disney would reimburse the city nearly $30,000 for consultant fees.

The consultant is expected to create a schedule for the environmental review, highlight anticipated concerns and plan for public participation in the review.

The area around Disneyland--the city’s so-called commercial-recreation zone--is under a building moratorium until Sept. 15, 1991. The area, bounded roughly by the Santa Ana Freeway, Ball Road, Walnut Street and Orangewood Avenue, has been under the building freeze since May, when city planners and Disney officials began studying the district.

Disney officials estimate that the company owns 70% of the land in the commercial-recreation zone.