Originally Posted By Darkbeer The Orange County Register modified the story a few hours after the Original article was posted. <a href="http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/news/local/anaheim/article_1768124.php" target="_blank">http://www.ocregister.com/ocre gister/news/local/anaheim/article_1768124.php</a> >>A developer that has been locked in a land-use dispute with the Walt Disney Co. said Sunday it will ask the Anaheim City Council to postpone a vote on the issue this week. Frank Elfend, a consultant for developer SunCal, said the two sides met over the weekend to examine possible solutions. SunCal wants to build 1,500 homes on about 50 acres that Disney wants to use for hotels and resort-related construction. The issue could be put to a public vote. "We want to do what's best for the residents of Anaheim and the economic engine of the resort," Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle said. "We'll be interested to hear what SunCal will come with at the 11th hour." Tuesday, council is slated to set a date for a referendum to overturn the land's residential zoning designation. "I think all parties agree that a continuance on Tuesday would be a good way to initiate positive dialogue," Elfend said. Disney spokesman Rob Doughty said there was no compromise: "SunCal approached us and we were open to hearing what they had to say. We remain focused on the long-term protection of the Anaheim Resort area."<<
Originally Posted By Darkbeer And also in today's OC Register, an editorial.. <a href="http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/opinion/homepage/article_1766516.php" target="_blank">http://www.ocregister.com/ocre gister/opinion/homepage/article_1766516.php</a> >>Nevertheless, the area around Disney has improved dramatically in a short time. Disney made good on its promise to build a second theme park, California Adventure, along with Downtown Disney and the Grand Californian Hotel. The new zoning was an "up-zone" – i.e., existing owners did not lose any value, but instead were given additional development rights for their properties, with existing uses grandfathered in – and the area remains the city's prime economic generator. Taxes generated from hotels and other tourist venues were earmarked to pay off the bonds, with Disney pledging to make up any difference between the tax dollars and the cost of the bond. Fast forward to early this year, when the SunCal development firm took an option on a mobile-home park within the Resort Area and sought a zoning change that would allow high-density residential uses. The company stands to gain a fortune merely in the zone change itself, given that residential uses are currently the most highly valued land-use in the area. Meanwhile, Disney views the approval of the project as something that would undermine the entire Resort Area concept. Councilman Harry Sidhu, an opponent of the SunCal plan, told us that if he approves the change on one property, then he would have to approve it for any property. Before long, he and other Disney supporters reason, the whole purpose of the Resort Area would evaporate, and the area would be filled with nontourism uses that would obliterate the tourist-oriented feel of the area.<< Much more at the link
Originally Posted By Darkbeer So, what will happen this week. First, we know that the City Council has to take action on the Referendum. And while they might be able to postpone action for a short time period, the law requires quick action once the referendum is submitted and signatures verified by the Register of Voters. But SOAR cannot rescind the submission. The City Council has one of two choices, either Repeal the Zoning Change or place the Referendum on the Ballot. Now the City Council has some choices as of the date. As early as October, or as late of November 2008. But I seriously doubt that the City would call a special election, due to the extra costs, so there are three main choices, the Presidential Primary election in February, the June Primary for state and local offices and the Presidential Election in November. Now, if it goes to an election, the Zoning Change is in limbo, and no work can be done on the project. It looks like SunCal is looking for a time out to regroup, the question is why? Well, one reason would be that they think that Councilperson Lucille Kring might decide to Repeal the Zoning Change, which means that the fight is over and that Disney/SOAR prevails and that the project is basically dead. Or the fact that the City Council will place the referendum on the Febraury 2008, where the cititizens of Anaheim more than likely will approve the Repeal, and the same result happens, project cancelled. The other issue is the proposed third ballot that CDPA requested be place on the ballot by the City Council. But I seriously doubt that will happen tomorrow, first off, the City Clerk has stated the submitted wording is not legal, and needs to have changes made, second, if the council allows the initative to appear on the ballot withouit gathering the required signatures of the registered voters of Anaheim, it will cause too much backlash and hurt the chances of the City councilperson fo being re-elected in the next election. It is just too hot of a potato right now. Now, if SunCal gets its postponement, then they have time to get the wording legal, and then start the gathering of the signatures needed. The Initative is not a solution to the problems SunCal has, but IMHO, is basically the last major thing they can do, but it really only works if it is on the same ballot as the SOAR ballot measure(s). So in most cases, the project as proposed is going to not be allowed to built. So SunCal can just walk away, or come up with a new proposal that would be agreeable to the Anaheim Resort Businesses, more than likely a mix of Hotels and some housing. But then SunCal will have to do a lot more work. What are the options of SOAR. Currently they are pressuring the City Councilperson to just Repeal the Zoning change, and not have it go to a ballot. I presume they will continue to do that, no matter if the matter is postponed one month. Now SOAR does have the Initative that they have been gathering signatures for. They have stated they have enough signatures for the measure to be approved, but have not yet submitted them to the Register of Voters. Now SOAR can make a deal with SunCal and agree not to submit the initiative, but I don't think they would do it for a couple of reasons, first off, they are almost to the end of the 6 months they are allowed to gather and submit the petitions, so they would lose all the time and effort but into the measure. And the measure protects the entire Resort area, and would at least for a few years more than likely not have any new Housing projects be proposed for the area. That is too big of a concession, so I seriously doubt that it will happen. About the only type of compromise that Disney might agree to is that they came to an arrangement with SunCal to purchase the rights of buying the Mobil Park Land. SunCal can get a moral victory, and the project goes away. Should be interesting to see what happens in the next couple of days....
Originally Posted By jonvn Ugh...EDIT: And I bet that's all they really want anyway. payout from disney, Disney gets the property, end of problem for now.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer <a href="http://www.ocregister.com/news/disney-suncal-vote-1769141-anaheim-council" target="_blank">http://www.ocregister.com/news /disney-suncal-vote-1769141-anaheim-council</a> >>Anaheim Community leaders – from union members to business owners – tonight plan to pressure the City Council on its handling of a proposed ballot referendum against homes near Disney property. A Disney-led coalition collected enough signatures to place a referendum on the ballot that would overturn the council's 3-2 approval of residential zoning on a plot in the Anaheim Resort tourist area. Now, the council must take action on it: cancel its previous action, set an election date or postpone the vote. It's unclear which way the vote will go. On Sunday, a consultant for SunCal, the developer that wants to build 1,500 homes on the plot, said he would ask for a delay on the vote after Disney and SunCal officials met Saturday to discuss possible solutions. Disney officials said no compromise was reached. SunCal wanted more time for discussions. But on Monday, SunCal consultant Frank Elfend, declined to comment about whether he still planned to seek a postponement. Councilwoman Lucille Kring said she has been trying for a compromise and would like a delay. "I want a cooling off period," Kring said. "The noise has ratcheted up in this city to such a level that no one can hear the facts." Others want definitive action tonight. The Disney-led group – Save Our Anaheim Resort, or SOAR – plans to ask the council to reverse its vote. About 200 people came Saturday to a SOAR-organized picnic to rally residents to support a repeal at tonight's meeting – a position the coalition is keeping, said Todd Ament, co-chair of SOAR. Mayor Curt Pringle said he would like a rescission and opposes a postponement. "I don't know necessarily what additional time will get us," Pringle said. "I'd just as soon move forward with this issue as soon as possible." Councilwoman Lorri Galloway, who supports the housing plan, said she prefers to schedule an election date. "I don't see anything different than it was last week," Galloway said. "The way I see things is just, things are still full steam ahead." The housing debate has been the most divisive issue that many long-time Anaheim residents can remember. . <<
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy I wouldn't be surprised if SunCal caved on this one. All the residential homebuilders are dramatically scaling back their building plans with the deteriorating housing market that still has a lot further to fall. There isn't a city in this country that needs another condo development barfed up on its streets until they can sell off the bloated inventory that's out there now.
Originally Posted By ChurroMonster If you want to see out-of-control condo development, come to Glendale. Over the next five years over a thousand condos will be built in the downtown area alone.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy Glendale has nothing on the bloated over-development in San Diego. Its interesting to drive downtown at night and see the entire middle sections of high-rise condo buildings completely dark because where the units aren't occupied.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer FYI, the City Council postponed the vote, and will be considered again on July 31st.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer Here is a letter written by the former Mayor of Anaheim, when the original deal was made... An Open Letter to Fellow Residents of Anaheim By Tom Daly It’s troubling to watch the battle being waged in our city over whether land-planning standards approved in 1994 will be honored in the Anaheim Resort District, which includes Disneyland and nearby properties. I was mayor when the council approved these standards with a unanimous vote, after years of careful analysis. Now, a developer and three members of the City Council want to gut them by allowing high-density housing in the Resort District. This fight is hurting our city and dividing us. It didn’t have to be this way. The Resort District was created to preserve the integrity of the city’s most valuable financial asset. The idea was to revive the area and protect it into the future from incompatible development—exactly the kind of high-density housing project proposed by SunCal for a 26-acre parcel within the Resort District. All of the property owners in the District agreed to the same ground rules when the Resort zoning was created. Now, someone wants to come in after the fact and change the rules to make a fast buck. Make no mistake: This is not Disney vs. Anaheim. It’s Anaheim vs. the wrong project in the wrong place. Anaheim deserves to safeguard its good planning just as any city in Orange County. As someone who sat on the City Council for 14 years and has lived in Anaheim all my life, I’m asked by puzzled friends and neighbors all over town: What’s really going on here? Isn’t there housing being built nearby? Well, yes, there is. The city has approved more than 10,000 new housing units within a few blocks of the property in question. What’s more, Anaheim already provides more subsidized affordable housing units than any other city in Orange County. Our fellow Anaheim residents on the Planning Commission took a thorough look at the rezoning proposed for the Resort District and resoundingly said no. Two members of the City Council have said no. As residents, we also cannot back down because there are important principles at stake here:1. Ensuring sound and well-reasoned planning in the Resort District; 2. Honoring commitments made to all of the property owners in the Resort area who agreed to tourism-related zoning, not just Disney; and 3. Guaranteeing the city’s treasury by protecting the most important financial asset the city has: The Anaheim Resort. Tens of thousands of residents signed a referendum against SunCal’s proposal, and a coalition of nearly every citizen’s group in Anaheim stands with them. I’m proud to be one of them. We should be celebrating the city’s strengths and successes, not allowing clever propaganda to divide us. Our goal is this: we want our agreements honored and our commitments kept. On Tuesday, the City Council can do the right thing and repeal their mistaken zoning decision. Or they can continue to jeopardize the city’s planning standards and future finances. It’s up to us as residents of Anaheim to decide whether this fight should escalate and how it should end. The council works for us. They don’t work for SunCal — or Disney. As Anaheim residents, we all have a stake in what happens.
Originally Posted By EighthDwarf Great letter. I'm glad to see someone "in the know" sees it the way we do. It seems so logical that it makes you wonder what SunCal has on the 3 city council members. Perhaps an under-the table deal to take part in the financial gains? If I were an Anaheim resident, I would demand an inquiry.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< It seems so logical that it makes you wonder what SunCal has on the 3 city council members. Perhaps an under-the table deal to take part in the financial gains? >>> It could also be the case that some of those council members are simply anti-Disney. Despite what the mayor says, some people are going to view the big local corporation as the source of all things bad in their community. Maybe one of them is bugged at hearing fireworks every night, or doesn't like the traffic. Who knows?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 This is one case where the Big, Bad Corporation knows best ... and the ex-mayor explains it quite simply.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << It could also be the case that some of those council members are simply anti-Disney. Despite what the mayor says, some people are going to view the big local corporation as the source of all things bad in their community. Maybe one of them is bugged at hearing fireworks every night, or doesn't like the traffic. Who knows? >> City Councils are always beholden to property developer -- they don't really have any anti-Disney feelings, it just so happens that Disney isn't developing their vacant property right now. In the Ponzi scheme to keep increasing city tax revenues, City Councils essentially have to grasp on to every bit of development that they can wring out of the property that is incorporated in the city. It doesn't matter if it is low income housing, high income housing, industrial, resort -- it's just a matter of increasing revenues fast enough to cover the cost of bond issues to pay for city services that can't be sustained without driving the city bankrupt. I noticed a few weeks ago here in San Diego that the City Council rescinded their ban on Wal-Mart big box stores. Did the City Council really have a change of heart? Has the Wal-Mart business model suddenly changed to comply with the philosophy of the Council? Absolutely not. It just so happens that the residential real estate boom has gone bust and the city must find new developments to keep up with the debt Ponzi scheme. So, the doors are going to open up to Wal-Mart because the City Council knows that if they don't find someone to replace all the condo and suburban sprawl developers that are withering away in the housing crash, they'll lose big as city debt spirals out of control. All City Councils are the same. Whoever is spending money NOW gets their vote. Long-term consequences are rarely considered. That's why we have the mess of suburban sprawl all across America.
Originally Posted By disneywatcher >> An Open Letter to Fellow Residents of Anaheim By Tom Daly << He makes a very good, clear-cut case against the city council's attempt to alter zoning ordinances in mid-stream. I wonder if local officials would have had a more difficult time ignoring the preferences of the DisCo if Disney itself hadn't made such a mess of their second theme park? In other words, it's easier biting the hand that feeds you when that hand has been holding the junkbag of DCA.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy The City Council could care less about DCA. All they care about is generating new tax revenues NOW. Disney isn't developing any new property NOW, so the City Council sides with whoever is barfing up and developing at the moment. A general rule of thumb is that if a developer has a plan to build something that increases the tax value of a piece of land, the development will get approved. The City Council will then use the promise of those future tax revenues to sell more municipal bonds that pay the bills for city services.
Originally Posted By bean " it's just a matter of increasing revenues fast enough to cover the cost of bond issues to pay for city services that can't be sustained without driving the city bankrupt." i am not too familiar about the deal disney made with the city in '94 but if i remember correctly one of those deals was that Disney would pay any difference to cover cost of bonds if the city did not sustain them with hotel revenues. I am sure darkbeer knows better since he has been very invloved. Also do not worry about Disney not developing the land they own, A third gate is in blue sky and they are hoping to purchase more land to really make something impressive. There is also work to be done on DCA, DTD and hotel district being designed west of DCA before the third gate construction gets underway
Originally Posted By Darkbeer Interesting comments at the SOAR site... <a href="http://www.soaranaheim.com/" target="_blank">http://www.soaranaheim.com/</a> >>Members of the SOAR coalition continue to celebrate the suspension of development plans for high-density housing in the Anaheim Resort District. Following the coalition's successful and historic referendum petition drive that stalled the developer's plans to dismantle the Resort District, and after hundreds of phone calls urging the City Council to repeal the rezone approval, the city council majority asked for a two-week delay to see if a compromise could be worked out. While we are certainly willing to listen to proposals by the developer, the SOAR coalition remains steadfast in its commitment to protect the long-term integrity of the Anaheim Resort District. We are grateful to the hundreds of volunteers who helped stop this development proposal in its tracks. The City Council has heard us loud and clear and, as a result, has postponed its decision on the issue until Tuesday, July 31. Please plan to join us that evening and, until then, keep up the great work! Sincerely, Todd Ament Co-chair, SOAR<< Also on the front page is a good review of the Economic Benefits to the Anaheim Resort Area. And in today's news... <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-disney31jul31" target="_blank">http://www.latimes.com/news/pr intedition/california/la-me-disney31jul31</a>,1,2528673.story?coll=la-headlines-pe-california >>The Anaheim City Council is expected tonight to decide the fate of a Disney-funded referendum, a proposed ballot item that would ask voters to block housing in the city's Resort District. The council had delayed voting on the item so that a developer and the entertainment giant could try to resolve their differences. The council could choose to rescind its April vote that paves the way for a 1,500-unit housing complex near Disneyland, or it could place the referendum on the ballot. Frank Elfend, a consultant to the developer, SunCal Cos., said Disneyland and SunCal have been "working together cooperatively" to find a solution to the sometimes bitter yearlong spat. Because of a confidentiality agreement between the parties, it was unclear whether the council would be presented with any new resolutions. << So the city council has choices. 1. Again Postpone the vote, this time the next council meeting is August 7th (one week from today), if SunCal/Disney feel they are close, I expect this to happen. But if either Disney or SunCal feel the talks aren't going anywhere, then the City Council will more than likely do one of the two things. 2. Repeal the zoning change, which cancels the project, at least for one year, when it can once again start the approval process. If the project gets some major changes, then they can start the approval process right away, if a compromise was made, this will more than likely be the council's choice, and if Disney has told SunCal they approve the project, then there shouldn't be major hurdles. 3. Decide to place the referendum on the ballot for a public vote. If they do this, then they have to pick a date, more than likely one of the 3 scheduled elections in 2008 (February, June or November). The date they choose will be interesting, the later dates would give SunCal a chance to get another initiative on the same ballot to try and confuse voters, a tactic they hinted to earlier.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << i am not too familiar about the deal disney made with the city in '94 but if i remember correctly one of those deals was that Disney would pay any difference to cover cost of bonds if the city did not sustain them with hotel revenues. >> Which is a good reason for Disney to be interested in the kind of revenues the City Council is pursuing for future development. Residential tax revenues don't come close to meeting the revenues from commercial development. Yet, City Councils have other bond issues to deal with besides one singular deal with Disney -- and they'll go after any development they can get to keep afloat on the rest of their debt.
