THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 9, 1994 TAG: 9409090004
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A17 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Opinion
SOURCE: By HUNTINGTON LYMAN
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
Recently, there has been a great deal of misinformation spread by proponents of Disney's America. As we approach a crucial stage in decisions regarding zoning, transportation and clean air, it is essential that Northern Virginia citizens be made aware of the myths and facts surrounding this proposed development.
Myth: Disney's America will be a cute little theme park nestled in a declivity of Virginia's rolling hills. You won't even notice it.
Fact: The theme park is only one element of the mammoth development proposed by Disney. Disney also wants to build 2,200 new houses and 1,350 hotel rooms, as well as a commercial center of 2 million square feet. In addition, Disney will trigger a great deal of ancillary development: T-shirt shops, hamburger joints and other forms of low-quality strip development. This development would represent a dramatic change in Prince William land use; Disney has submitted seven volumes of rezoning applications (with fee reductions of $400,000).
Myth: Disney will maintain a beautiful greenspace and is thus our best hope of responsibly developing this area.
Fact: Disney's zoning requests would allow the project's 900-acre central core to be developed virtually any way Disney pleases. According to Tim Lindstrom, a land-use expert who conducted an analysis for the Piedmont Environmental Council, ``Disney's definition of `greenspace' would allow construction of parking lots, hotels, motels, golf courses and other recreational areas that could include water parks, rides, baseball stadiums and other elements. Only 384 acres would be preserved in a natural state, and more than half of that is already off-limits to development under state and local laws.''
Myth: Disney's America will not affect Virginia's historic heritage.
Fact: Based on Anaheim, a park of much the same size, Virginia's historic sites will be seriously undermined by Disney development.
The Disney site is centered in an area unique in its historical importance: 12 significant Civil War battles were fought within 20 miles of the site. Civil War soldiers marched and skirmished in Haymarket. Thoroughfare, one of the first freed black communities after the Civil War, abuts the Disney site. Manassas, the site of two pivotal battles, is four miles away. The threat posed by Disney has united in opposition a large group of historians, including David McCullough, James McPherson, Ken Burns, Shelby Foote and Barbara Fields.
Myth: Disney's America will protect the environment.
Fact: Disney's America will bring traffic, smog and sprawl.
Disney will bring at least 77,000 new vehicle trips a day on Route 66. The Washington Post's Dr. Gridlock predicts enormous traffic problems if Disney builds without careful study. Economic and fiscal consultants Dr. Thomas Muller and Michael Siegel aren't convinced that water and sewage capacity are there either. Neither is the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
The Environmental Protection Agency classifies our region as a ``serious'' violator of smog standards because our atmosphere regularly violates a basic public-health standard. We are required to significantly reduce pollution or forfeit millions in federal road money. With increased traffic, we may have to seek compliance through such measures as more stringent environmental controls on cars; new regulations on outdoor cooking and wood stoves; regulations on lawn mowers and outdoor equipment; rationing of water use in dry weather; a change in commuter patterns and work schedules; and a limiting of other development in Northern Virginia.
Myth: If Disney's America doesn't come, something worse will.
Fact: Northern Virginia's proximity to Dulles and the nation's capital makes it appealing to high-tech businesses oriented toward real growth and excellent jobs - businesses that are not in conflict with Virginia's other goals.
Myth: Disney's America will provide good employment opportunities.
Fact: Disney's America will provide low-paying, seasonal jobs in an area with less than 3 percent unemployment and little inexpensive available housing. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Crossroads USA is the hub of the proposed Disney's America
KEYWORDS: DISNEY AMERICA by CNB