The Orange County Register published this column today by Anaheim Councilwoman Lorri Galloway:
Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle has proposed what he calls a compromise between Disney and a developer, to allow some residential units to be built in at least part of the Resort Area, but keep the front of this property for hotels and commercial uses only ["A compromise for the Resort Area," The Orange Grove, April 11]. I have a different proposal.
The Anaheim resort's tremendous growth has had unanticipated consequences for our community. The lack of nearby housing opportunities for resort workers causes overcrowding in our neighborhoods, a tremendous lack of parking, and puts too much traffic on our streets. Sadly, some resort industry employees have no choice but to live, day to day, in motels that were meant to serve visitors and many more families double and triple up in apartments just to make ends meet.
Anaheim does not have a hotel crisis. It has a housing crisis. The hiring of tens of thousands of resort employees, most of whom are low-wage earners, has caused an environmental impact that must be mitigated. The stark reality of Anaheim's housing needs was presented in a 2005 workshop showing an existing need for 27,600 affordable housing rentals. If these housing units are prohibited in the resort area, where the majority of need is created, which of our neighborhoods will step up and volunteer to place it in their community? Unless viable housing alternatives are proposed, resort area housing should not be banned.
The 1994 Resort Plan negotiated between the city of Anaheim and Disney is now antiquated and woefully inadequate. Its only recognition of the housing and overcrowding issue was an agreement by Disney to provide 500 affordable housing units to Anaheim, which has never been done. The plan will eventually eliminate the workforce housing that currently exists (thousands of rental units) with no plans to replace them.
It's time to renegotiate. We must forge a new partnership for growth in the resort, one that addresses the needs of everyone who lives or works in this community and assures that our quality of life is improved – not diminished – by continued, necessary growth in the resort industry.
I propose the creation of a new collaborative partnership – a city sponsored commission that includes two council members, Disney representatives and housing experts with the sole purpose of creating overarching systemic solutions to resort housing issues. Public-private partnerships often result in the best solutions. The sharing of resources and expertise is unbeatable. After a 52-year relationship, Anaheim and Disney should continue to work together – not apart. The spirit of the people of Anaheim and the magic of Disney can create miracles.
