Disney Gains Momentum on Expansion : Development: Resort plan broadens support by eliminating two sticking points. Anaheim Councilman Daly now says there’s ‘no doubt’ of approval.
By narrowing its development options, the Walt Disney Co. appeared Thursday to have broadened support for its proposed $3-billion Disneyland Resort.
The Anaheim City Council, acting in concert with Disney, voted to reject an option that would have put a massive parking garage within a few feet of one of the city’s premiere high-tech companies.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. June 17, 1993 For the Record
Los Angeles Times Thursday June 17, 1993 Orange County Edition Metro Part B Page 2 Column 4 Metro Desk 2 inches; 37 words Type of Material: Correction
Disneyland Resort--A story Friday on the proposed Disneyland expansion carried a headline that incorrectly attributed a comment to Anaheim Mayor Tom Daly. It was Councilman Bob D. Simpson who said there is “no doubt” the City Council will approve the project.
The council also unanimously voted to remove a 58-acre strawberry field from further consideration. The family that has farmed the land since the early 1950s has steadfastly refused to sell.
In taking both actions, “they probably resolved 50% of their problems” on the east side of the proposed resort, said developer Frank Elfend, who is a property consultant for Melodyland. That progress, in turn, vastly increases the chances that the project eventually will be approved by the council.
Councilman Bob D. Simpson said there is “no doubt” that the council will approve the Disneyland expansion, which would add a theme park and several new hotels. He added, however, that before Disney gets his vote it must answer questions about noise abatement and the council’s ability to approve any ongoing plan changes.
“These are some of the minor concerns that I have,” Simpson said. “But I don’t think there is any question that the council supports the project and wants to see it go forward.” The other four councilmen could not be reached for comment Thursday.
The development option dropped this week would have preserved the domed Melodyland Christian Center, a landmark. That same plan also had drawn stiff opposition from nearby Odetics Inc., which makes robots, satellite data recorders and computer storage equipment. Chairman Joel Slutzky said that now, with the design change, he is an avid supporter of the resort.
He praised city officials for “listening to our side of the story” when “I was afraid they would be all pro-Disney.”
By removing the strawberry field south of Katella Avenue as a “future expansion area,” the city and Disney met the demands of the farming Fujishige family that owns the property. Their lawyer said they are pleased.
Now, there are two remaining options for building the east parking garage. One would require the demolition of Melodyland and the Anaheim Plaza Resort Hotel facing Harbor Boulevard. The other would require the demolition of Melodyland, and the acquisition of a small motel and industrial buildings on five parcels, several of which Disney already controls.
Disney would build surface parking on a 26-acre former trailer park south of Katella Avenue, along with a smaller parking structure, mainly for employees. Plans for another huge parking structure on the project’s west side, near Ball Road and Walnut Street, remain unchanged.
Times correspondent Terry Spencer contributed to this article.
Resort’s Parking Plans Disneyland is considering two options to create a parking facility for its new resort. Plan 1: Purchase and raze Melodyland Christian Center Plan 2: Purchase and raze Anaheim Plaza Resort Hotel Purchase and raze Melodyland Christian Center Source: City of Anaheim’s environmental impact report
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