Planning Commission set to vote on DisneylandForward proposal

Disneyland’s on-property expansion plans will get their first vote from Anaheim officials on Monday, March 11, when the city’s Planning Commission is set to review the theme park’s development proposal.

The project, dubbed DisneylandForward, would give Disney more flexibility to choose where it builds new theme park areas, hotels and dining, without expanding beyond its existing footprint, and in return guarantees the city at least a $1.9 billion investment into the resort over the next decade, along with more than $100 million for city streets, parks and affordable housing.

City staffers are recommending the Planning Commission approve the proposal. If the  commission gives the OK, the City Council will still need to approve the project at a meeting set for April 16.

The project requires approvals, in part, for updating the city’s zoning and general plans. Disney also proposes to buy a few streets from the city, the largest being Magic Way on the west side of the resort.

New theme park attractions could be built west of Disneyland Drive near existing hotels along with entertainment areas where the Toy Story Parking lot is.

The proposed project outcomes include supporting “the ongoing transformation of The Anaheim Resort into a multi-day destination resort for use by Southern California metropolitan area residents, as well as visitors from around the world.”

A complete draft development agreement is a part of the Planning Commission’s agenda, which would last 40 years. Current Disneyland projects would be excluded from the company’s investment commitment, including an Avenger’s campus attraction and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure log flume ride.

Though company officials haven’t specifically said what would be built once DisneylandFoward begins construction, Disney CEO Bob Iger said on March 5, that an Avatar-themed land will be coming to the theme park in California. Iger said the company has enough space to increase the offerings at Disneyland by 50%.

City officials have said DisneylandForward could be one of the largest developments for Anaheim. While City Councilmembers haven’t given indications for how they’ll vote on the project, Councilmember Natalie Rubalcava at a council workshop in January said she wanted more from Disney in the development agreement.

The seven-member Planning Commission will meet at 5 p.m. Monday at City Hall at 200 S. Anaheim Blvd., in the City Council Chambers. The meeting will also be broadcast online.

Source: Orange County Register