THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 29, 1994 TAG: 9407290563
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: THE WASHINGTON POST
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
Planners in Prince William County, Va., have recommended approval of the Walt Disney Co.'s proposal to build a $650 million theme park on more than 3,000 acres of rolling fields near Haymarket.
The recommendation made to planning commissioners Wednesday night imposes dozens of mutually agreed-upon conditions on Disney's America park, including limits on the amount of traffic generated and restrictions on noise and the height of buildings.
Wednesday's recommendation represents the first concrete step toward full approval by local officials of Disney's vision for part of Prince William County: an American history theme park surrounded by campgrounds, retail stores, a golf course, hotels and a Disney-operated housing development at the fringes of the Virginia suburbs of Washington.
``This is an important milestone for the project,'' said Dana Nottingham, the director of development for Disney's America. ``This is a big day for Prince William County and for Disney.''
It isn't a done deal yet, however.
During the next three months, the Planning Commission and then the Board of County Supervisors will hold public hearings on the proposed zoning changes needed for the project. There, supporters and opponents will have a chance to voice their opinions for the record.
The planners' report criticized the company for not doing enough to protect wildlife, including a bird called the Brown Creeper, and not providing enough guarantees that wetlands will be protected.
Chris Miller, a spokesman for the Piedmont Environmental Council, which is leading opposition to the theme park, said his group was disappointed but not surprised by the county staff's recommendation.
``We have said over and over again that the county is not involved in serious, arms-length negotiations with Disney,'' said Miller, who had not seen the staff report. ``We've expected this. That's been our concern all along.''
KEYWORDS: DISNEY AMERICA
by CNB