Hearing Brings Out Fans of Disney Expansion Proposal : Burbank: The plan would add 3 million square feet of facilities within the boundaries of current property.

The turnout of supporters dwarfed that of opponents at a public hearing Monday night on Walt Disney Studios’ proposal to expand its world headquarters in Burbank.

The two-hour hearing organized by the Burbank Planning Board was attended by more than 100 people, including many who commented on a draft environmental-impact report on the proposed expansion, which would involve the construction of 10 buildings and an underground parking complex. The proposal calls for demolition of more than 30 buildings, most of which are smaller warehouses and storage facilities.

Before the hearing, board members toured the 44-acre Disney facility and saw many structures scheduled to be torn down and areas where expansion is proposed.

About 75 people participated in the tour, which included visits to sound stages. The tour also included Disney world headquarters, which features giant statues of the Seven Dwarfs on its facade.

Since 1984, Disney’s staff has quadrupled, said Alan Epstein, vice president of Disney Development Corp. He pointed out that Disney’s Burbank facility now accommodates 3,500 employees. Under the proposed expansion, 8,500 would work there.

“We’re all part of a team. We want everyone working at the same site, if possible,” Epstein said.

The proposed expansion will add an estimated 3 million square feet of new facilities, including offices, sound stages, studios, warehouses, cafeterias and a child-care center.

All of the new construction would be within the boundaries of Disney’s current property, which is bordered by Alameda Avenue on the north, Buena Vista Street on the west, the Ventura Freeway on the south and Keystone Street on the east.

The expansion, to be completed in two phases by 2000, would consolidate existing Disney operations throughout the Los Angeles area and other parts of Burbank as well as new facilities to accommodate projected growth.

If the company’s growth is not as rapid as predicted, the expansion could be spread over 25 years, Epstein said.

Disney officials said the expansion would not be affected by the current recession, which has pressured profits and led to the announcement of layoffs at Disney’s Glendale facility, which develops theme parks.

Until Monday’s hearing, there had been little outcry from homeowner groups against the expansion. The property is across Riverside Drive from the Rancho, a residential neighborhood of single-family homes where residents are allowed to stable horses.

Residents of the area are nervous about the possibility of increased traffic on nearby streets, especially Riverside Drive.

Terre Hirsch, who lives on Riverside Drive, about 250 feet from the development, criticized the project. “Think of the traffic, the dust, the carbon monoxide hot spots,” Hirsch said. “Think of what we’ll have to endure. . . . This is not ‘Fantasia.’ ”

Hirsch accused Disney and the consultants who drew up the EIR of “a gross manipulation of data.”

“Disney has tried to dupe the community with public-relations ploys. Don’t let Steamboat Willie become Steamroller Willie,” Hirsch said, referring to a classic Mickey Mouse cartoon.

Disney, for its part, has carefully cultivated support for the project from various groups in Burbank. A large majority of the audience appeared to support the plan, cheering on pro-Disney speakers. Many supporters sported buttons saying, “I’m animated about Disney’s master plan.”

Studio facilities are an important part of the city’s economy, especially since several thousand aerospace jobs have left

“My support comes down to one thing--jobs,” said David Gerred, a Media District resident. “Those are high-paying, environmentally safe jobs. We need those jobs. .”

Recommendations from Monday’s hearing will probably go before the Burbank City Council in October.