The theme park giant is one step closer to adding new sections to its Anaheim empire.
Writing in The Mercury News, Brady MacDonald describes the environmental impact study released by the city of Anaheim as it weighs approvals for an expansion of the Disneyland parks. The two sites, one located on a former strawberry farm-turned-Disney parking lot, would remain within the company’s existing 500-acre property. “The DisneylandForward plan envisions two pedestrian bridges over Disneyland Drive and up to three over Harbor Boulevard that would connect to a 17,000-space eastside garage along Disney Way that would be the world’s largest parking structure.”
The study reveals that the biggest impacts would come from air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and noise. “Air quality would be significantly and unavoidably impacted during the construction phase and park operations of any Disneyland Forward project, according to the EIR.” Required mitigation measures would include sound buffers, water conservation measures, and energy efficiency initiatives.
MacDonald adds, “Transportation and traffic were not considered major issues in the EIR in part because Disneyland, Caltrans and Anaheim overbuilt resort area streets, intersections, freeways and interchanges in recent years.
FULL STORY: Disneyland theme park expansion moves one step closer with impact study
Friday Eye Candy: Renderings for the New Star Wars Theme Park
Fans of Disney theme parks and fans of Star Wars had a big week.
Disney's Political Donations Increase as Anaheim Considers a Streetcar
Disney says its supports pro-business candidates for City Council in Anaheim, but some see a proposed streetcar as the connection behind an uptick in the company's local political support.
"Imagineering" Versus Planning
The conference of the California chapter of the American Planning Association took place across the street from Disneyland this week. What Disney does for fictional landscapes, planners must do for real landscapes.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Rebuilding Smarter: How LA County Is Guiding Fire-Ravaged Communities Toward Resilience
Los Angeles County is leading a coordinated effort to help fire-impacted communities rebuild with resilience by providing recovery resources, promoting fire-wise design, and aligning reconstruction with broader sustainability and climate goals.
When Borders Blur: Regional Collaboration in Action
As regional challenges outgrow city boundaries, “When Borders Blur” explores how cross-jurisdictional collaboration can drive smarter, more resilient urban planning, sharing real-world lessons from thriving partnerships across North America.
Philadelphia Is Expanding its Network of Roundabouts
Roundabouts are widely shown to decrease traffic speed, reduce congestion, and improve efficiency.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Ada County Highway District
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service