From: mikkelson@breakr.enet.dec.com (snopes)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.disney
Subject: Disney happy with eco-impact study
Date: 22 Jul 92 19:21:21 GMT
Organization: Salivation Army



                        Disney happy with eco-impact study

        State study of studio's Burbank expansion cites air-quality issues


    The Walt Disney Co. expressed support Monday [July 13] for a draft 
  environmental impact report filed with the State of California in connection 
  with the studio's planned $600 million expansion project.

    "We are extremely pleased that the analysis confirms that the project is in 
  strict compliance with the local plan that was adopted a year ago after six 
  years of public input," said Alan Epstein, vp of Disney Development Co.  
  "We're also very pleased that even though the document uses a very 
  conservative approach, it identifies only one impact, and that is air 
  quality."

    Epstein acknowledged that there's still a lengthy process ahead, including 
  a 45-day review and public comment period, which began Friday and ends Aug. 
  24.  That will be followed by a customary response to public concerns and the 
  release of a final environmental report.

    The hurdles are similar to those faced by 20th Century Fox Film Corp. and 
  Sony Pictures Entertainment, both of which plan major renovation and 
  expansion work at their Westside lots.  Fox has threatened to relocate its 
  studio facility out of West Los Angeles if it doesn't get the needed 
  approvals.

    The Walt Disney Studios Master Plan, which would take between 20 and 25 
  years to complete, calls for the construction of new soundstages and related 
  production facilities and office buildings, including two 12-story buildings. 
  Additionally, it calls for a helipad that could presumably be used to shuttle 
  executives from Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif.

    All told, about 1.9 million square feet of buildings would be added to 
  Disney's 44.5-acre facility, which is located at the corner of Buena Vista 
  Drive and Alameda Avenue in Burbank.

    Local residents at a February meeting voiced concern about the Disney 
  project, especially potential traffic congestion.  The report estimates that 
  the number of workers at the lot will more than triple to 8,800 from its 
  current 2,700.

    But the report concluded that Disney developed a comprehensive traffic 
  mitigation program designed to reduce vehicle trips and improve air quality.  
  Changed planned include widening Buena Vista and the off-ramps of the Ventura 
  Freeway.

    Epstein wouldn't put a price tag on the cost of traffic mitigation measures 
  around the Disney lot.  Fox is being required to pay about $5 million for 
  traffic mitigation measures around its lot.

    On noise, the report pointed out that the Ventura Freeway and nearby city 
  streets dominate the existing noise environment, resulting in a high ambient 
  surrounding the project.  Although the project will "worsen an already 
  unacceptable noise level . . . the projected increase will not be audible, 
  and the impact is not considered significant."

    Epstein confirmed that the master plan calls for a helipad on one of the 
  15-story buildings at the studio.  He said the city proposed restricting 
  landings to between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and to no more than four per week.

    On air quality, the draft environmental report said construction of the 
  Disney project will result in significant "fugitive dust emissions," even 
  after mitigation.  But the report suggests that it will not have a 
  significant adverse impact on regional air quality in the long term.

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|"[Disney's machine] has placed a Mickey Mouse hat on every little developing |
| personality in America.  As capitalism, it is a work of genius; as culture, |
| it is mostly a horror."   --   Richard Schickel, "The Disney Version"       |
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|  David P. Mikkelson   Digital Equipment Corporation   Culver City, CA  USA  |
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