Disney’s three-year effort to get the go-ahead to grow its theme parks in Anaheim received final approval from the City Council on Tuesday, May 7.
The City Council unanimously approved the project at its April 16 meeting. The second vote Tuesday was also unanimous and passed without discussion. The second reading and vote were required to finalize the changes to the city’s zoning that the project asks for. The adopted changes will go into effect in 30 days.
The vote wraps up years of efforts by the company to explain the project to residents and eventually move to get approval for future additions to the Anaheim theme park resort – all still within the footprint of the current property.
It’s a 40-year agreement that outlines where and how new development can take place. The largest areas for new development will be parking lots west of Disneyland Drive in the resort area and at the Toy Story parking lot on Harbor Boulevard. A new 17,600-space parking garage will be built near the 5 Freeway to accommodate the expected growth in visitors.
Disney must invest at least $1.9 billion into its theme parks in Anaheim by 2034 as part of the approved agreement. While Disney has not said when it might start construction and what might be development, it has teased building an “Avatar”-themed land as a strong possibility. Disney CEO Bob Iger said in March that with more flexibility for where on the property the company can develop it could increase the size of Disneyland by 50%.
More than $100 million in community benefits for the city are a part of the deal.
Disney will give Anaheim $30 million to use at the city’s discretion for affordable housing. Half of the amount will be paid within a year and the rest no later than five years.
Disney will give the city $8 million for the city to use at it desires for parks outside of the resort district, which must be paid out in the next year. Another $10 million for sewer improvements along Katella Avenue will be paid either within a year or after the City Council approves a contract for those upgrades.
Disney will purchase Magic Way and some other street sections from the city for just under $40 million, and contribute $45 million for street infrastructure work around the resort, including widening Katella east of Harbor. Magic Way would remain as is until the city pays off resort bonds.
Cynthia Ward, an Anaheim resident who keeps tabs on City Hall, filed a rehearing request for DisneylandForward that the City Council denied on Tuesday.
