Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, September 11, 1994 TAG: 9409120086
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: E1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: WOODBRIDGE LENGTH: Medium
County officials said 181 people signed up to speak after the commission heard a one-hour report by its staff and a 45-minute Disney presentation.
Although the county planning staff noted concerns about the environment and transportation related to the construction of the 400-acre Disney's America history park, ``In balance, the benefits outweigh the weaknesses, and we recommend it be approved,'' planning chief Doug James told the commissioners.
The planning staff said the county would collect $27.5 million in taxes and other revenues by 2210 if the park is built.
Commission Chairman Gregory Gorgone said the nine-member panel would not vote on the Disney plan Saturday because one commissioner was unable to attend. The panel also wanted to give Disney time to respond to questions raised at the hearing.
Gorgone said the commission could vote on the plan at either of its next two meetings, Sept. 14 or Sept. 21.
Disney has proposed building the park and mixed-use development, including housing, on 3,006 acres near Haymarket.
Traffic to and from the $650-million park was a chief concern of citizens at the hearing. Anne Powel, a citizen activist from Fairfax, said the park would contribute to gridlock on the already clogged roads of Northern Virginia.
Scott Staley, senior development director of Disney's America, said Disney will work with the state and county to improve transportation.
Disney has offered to help widen Interstate 66, which would feed visitors to the park, and improve nine nearby intersections. However, the county planning staff said one weakness of the Disney plan was a lack of commitment to developing mass transit in the area.
The planning staff also said that clear-cutting hardwood trees for construction would remove habitats for the brown creeper, a rare bird.
Disney officials sought to reassure the commissioners over concerns that Disney would seek annexation by the town of Haymarket or try to create a special tax district of their own. Disney has yielded the right to annexation for 20 years after the start of construction.
by CNB