Traffic Snarls Among Effects of Disney Plans

A proposed $3-billion Disney expansion project in Anaheim would snarl traffic during construction, add thousands of cars to local freeways, worsen air quality and require massive spending on public works, according to a city report released Thursday.

But despite at least seven major problems identified in a 500-page draft environmental impact report, Walt Disney Co. officials said none are severe enough to scrap the ambitious project, which promises to generate thousands of jobs, revitalize the city’s public works systems and boost the local economy.

“Now, we want to keep ourselves focused, keep our eyes on the prize and make this happen,” said Kerry Hunnewell, Disney Development Co. vice president in charge of the expansion.

The report also stated that the project and surrounding development would likely overburden all current utilities and public safety resources in Anaheim. Streets would need to be widened, sewer systems expanded, additional fire equipment purchased and 22 new police officers hired before the expansion is completed in 1998, the report said.

But perhaps the most ominous obstacle facing the expansion was not required to be addressed in the report: How the $3-billion cost will be divided between the city and Disney. Earlier estimates had pegged Disney’s need for public money at nearly $1 billion.

Disney and city officials Thursday said they expected the project’s public cost would be returned through increased commerce and the property, hotel and sales taxes it would generate.

Company and city officials promised that current city revenues would not be touched to finance the expansion.

“The cardinal rule is that the (city’s) general fund will have no risk,” Hunnewell said.

Mayor-elect Tom Daly said there has been “an informal commitment by the city leadership to avoid using any of the city’s existing revenues to finance future improvements in the tourism area.

“This project, from the standpoint of economic development, is the biggest and best project to come along in the history of Anaheim, as well as the history of Orange County,” Daly said. “The economic benefits should be enormous.”

Councilman Irv Pickler also supported the Disney project. “It’s going to be a good thing all the way around,” he said, adding that paying for public works and safety projects should not be a problem.

“When this thing is bringing in $35 million into our general fund, with the revenues from sales tax and bed tax and such, it’s not going to be a problem,” he said.

Ultimate approval of the environmental report rests with the City Council and a clear majority support Disney’s plan.

The expansion would include three new hotels with 5,600 rooms, a second theme park called Westcot Center, a 5,000-seat amphitheater, a retail district ringing a six-acre lake and lush pedestrian walkways throughout. Also included are proposals for two of the nation’s largest parking structures, with direct ramp access to the Santa Ana Freeway.

The release of the draft environmental impact report culminates about 18 months of work by the city and Disney. A completed report is mandated by state law for large developments. Disney paid for the report, estimated to have cost between $5 million and $10 million.

Before the report can be adopted, however, there must be a 45-day period for public comment.

At least one neighboring city, Garden Grove, has already asked Anaheim officials to extend the review process so it can fully assess the impacts. Anaheim has denied Garden Grove’s request.

Additionally, county, state and federal agencies are also expected to comment on the report’s findings.

Connie Day of the South Coast Air Quality Management District said her agency’s “concern is primarily traffic and that (Disney officials) reduce their emissions to the greatest extent possible.”

The most vocal group on the environmental impact report might be the Anaheim residents who live near Disneyland and who are concerned about the congested streets, noise and air pollution that will be generated by the new theme park.

Disney officials say they have gone to great lengths to consult with residents. For example, Disney officials said they redesigned one parking structure so that there was no guest or employee access to residential Walnut Street.

But Disney’s efforts have not satisfied all residents.

“I don’t know that they (Disney) have listened to us at all,” said Curtis Stricker, president of an Anaheim homeowners group. “There are still a lot of problems to be solved. Hell, we don’t know anything.”

Staff writer Chris Woodyard contributed to this story.