Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 28, 1994 TAG: 9408290063
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: MANASSAS LENGTH: Medium
Five of the county's eight planning commissioners said they would vote against the entertainment giant's planned $650-million history-based park and real estate development unless they got such a pledge.
The issue, which emerged during the commission's six-hour work session with Disney officials, comes two weeks before the panel is to vote on the proposal for the Disney's America park and surrounding development.
Commissioners are concerned that Disney could secede, thereby stripping the county of its taxing power over the project.
County officials project $12 million in tax benefits from the project in 1998, growing to $29 million by 2010.
Dana Nottingham, real estate director for Disney's America, cited the potential tax savings as his reason for refusing to say the company never would seek annexation.
``We have no intention of seeking de-annexation or creating a special district ... but we can't promise we will never pursue that option,'' he said. ``There may be conditions beyond the power of any person in this room.''
Nottingham said he would consider a pledge lasting as long as 20 years, but even that would require clearance from senior Disney executives.
A majority of Prince William planning commissioners said that would not be long enough, since the project is not scheduled to be fully built until 2010.
Commissioner Donald Poe said the effect of Disney's planned development - which includes a park, 2,281 houses, 1,340 hotel rooms and 1.9 million square feet of office and shopping - would go on ``forever.''
The commission cited a precedent in Disney's practice in Florida, where the state legislature authorized it to create a special taxing district for its 30,000-acre Walt Disney World operation near Orlando. The vote enabled the company to virtually carve out its own government.
County officials said they are especially worried because Disney's 3,000-acre site borders the 450-resident town of Haymarket, which could try to annex the theme park and its surrounding development.
by CNB