Darkbeer
08-22-2007, 05:11 PM
Save Our Anaheim Resort Press Release
SOAR COALITION FILES 31,348 SIGNATURES TO PLACE INITIATIVE ON BALLOT
Measure Would Let Voters Decide on Protecting Long-term Vision of Anaheim Resort District
ANAHEIM, Calif. (August 22, 2007) —The Save Our Anaheim Resort (SOAR) coalition today delivered 31,348 signatures to the Anaheim City Clerk, 10,000 more than required, to place an initiative on the ballot that will give voters the right to approve any future changes to the original tourist-serving vision of the Anaheim Resort District.
The initiative addresses the long-term need to protect the Resort District, its boundaries and land uses, according to the 4,650-member SOAR coalition. The Resort District is less then 5% of the city, yet generates over 50% of Anaheim’s’ annual tax revenue.
SOAR also led the successful drive to place a referendum on the ballot to overturn a high-density housing development in the Resort District, which was approved by a 3-2 Council vote in April. On Tuesday night, the Council placed the referendum on the June 3 ballot. Combined, SOAR has collected more that 52,000 signatures from Anaheim citizens to protect the Resort District.
“The Resort District was created to support tourism businesses. As a result, it is the largest single source of tax revenue for city services,” said Todd Ament, co-chairman of SOAR and president and CEO of the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce. “We will do what’s necessary to preserve this economic engine that funds vital services such as police and fire protection in Anaheim.”
"The momentum to protect the Anaheim Resort Area is now in full swing. Combined with last night's action to ask the voters to correct the Council's ill-advised decision to allow residential units into a portion of the resort, this initiative will protect and strengthen the entire Resort Area for generations to come,” said Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle.
"The beauty of democracy is the right of voters to have their voices heard on important issues. I'm proud to live in a community that is so committed to ensuring the long-term protection of our city's fiscal foundation and the desire to protect that economic engine found in the Resort Area," the Mayor added.
“This is an important day for Anaheim, as the people who signed these petitions have spoken and their message is clear … Protect the Anaheim Resort Area as the largest economic engine in this City. I applaud the efforts of SOAR to let the voice of the people be heard,” said Margaret Pashko, Chair, Anaheim Chamber of Commerce.
Specifically, the SOAR Initiative would:
• Require voter approval to change the City’s General Plan policies for the Anaheim Resort District.
• Require voter approval to change the list of land uses allowed in the Anaheim Resort District.
• Require voter approval to change Anaheim Resort District boundaries.
• Require an Environmental Impact Report to be completed before any housing project could be built in the Anaheim Resort District and before any change to the allowed land uses could be made.
The Resort District was created in 1994 and established land uses limited to tourist-serving uses, such as theme parks, hotels, restaurants and convention facilities. It covers less than five percent of the land in the City of Anaheim yet generates more than half of Anaheim’s tax revenues.
Visitors to the Resort District pay hotel and sales taxes that go directly to the City of Anaheim’s General Fund. From 1994 to 2006, the contribution from the hotel tax alone more than doubled from $33 million to $80 million annually. Anaheim’s annual revenue from tourism is ten times higher than any other city in Orange County.
SOAR is a broad coalition of more than 4,650 concerned Anaheim businesses, labor unions, homeowner groups and residents, who want a permanent solution for the future of the Anaheim Resort District and believe voters have a right to decide.
Information about the referendum and initiative drives is available by contacting the SOAR office at the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce offices, 201 E. Center Street, Anaheim, CA. Phone: (714) 400-0734. Web site: www.soaranaheim.com
SOAR COALITION FILES 31,348 SIGNATURES TO PLACE INITIATIVE ON BALLOT
Measure Would Let Voters Decide on Protecting Long-term Vision of Anaheim Resort District
ANAHEIM, Calif. (August 22, 2007) —The Save Our Anaheim Resort (SOAR) coalition today delivered 31,348 signatures to the Anaheim City Clerk, 10,000 more than required, to place an initiative on the ballot that will give voters the right to approve any future changes to the original tourist-serving vision of the Anaheim Resort District.
The initiative addresses the long-term need to protect the Resort District, its boundaries and land uses, according to the 4,650-member SOAR coalition. The Resort District is less then 5% of the city, yet generates over 50% of Anaheim’s’ annual tax revenue.
SOAR also led the successful drive to place a referendum on the ballot to overturn a high-density housing development in the Resort District, which was approved by a 3-2 Council vote in April. On Tuesday night, the Council placed the referendum on the June 3 ballot. Combined, SOAR has collected more that 52,000 signatures from Anaheim citizens to protect the Resort District.
“The Resort District was created to support tourism businesses. As a result, it is the largest single source of tax revenue for city services,” said Todd Ament, co-chairman of SOAR and president and CEO of the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce. “We will do what’s necessary to preserve this economic engine that funds vital services such as police and fire protection in Anaheim.”
"The momentum to protect the Anaheim Resort Area is now in full swing. Combined with last night's action to ask the voters to correct the Council's ill-advised decision to allow residential units into a portion of the resort, this initiative will protect and strengthen the entire Resort Area for generations to come,” said Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle.
"The beauty of democracy is the right of voters to have their voices heard on important issues. I'm proud to live in a community that is so committed to ensuring the long-term protection of our city's fiscal foundation and the desire to protect that economic engine found in the Resort Area," the Mayor added.
“This is an important day for Anaheim, as the people who signed these petitions have spoken and their message is clear … Protect the Anaheim Resort Area as the largest economic engine in this City. I applaud the efforts of SOAR to let the voice of the people be heard,” said Margaret Pashko, Chair, Anaheim Chamber of Commerce.
Specifically, the SOAR Initiative would:
• Require voter approval to change the City’s General Plan policies for the Anaheim Resort District.
• Require voter approval to change the list of land uses allowed in the Anaheim Resort District.
• Require voter approval to change Anaheim Resort District boundaries.
• Require an Environmental Impact Report to be completed before any housing project could be built in the Anaheim Resort District and before any change to the allowed land uses could be made.
The Resort District was created in 1994 and established land uses limited to tourist-serving uses, such as theme parks, hotels, restaurants and convention facilities. It covers less than five percent of the land in the City of Anaheim yet generates more than half of Anaheim’s tax revenues.
Visitors to the Resort District pay hotel and sales taxes that go directly to the City of Anaheim’s General Fund. From 1994 to 2006, the contribution from the hotel tax alone more than doubled from $33 million to $80 million annually. Anaheim’s annual revenue from tourism is ten times higher than any other city in Orange County.
SOAR is a broad coalition of more than 4,650 concerned Anaheim businesses, labor unions, homeowner groups and residents, who want a permanent solution for the future of the Anaheim Resort District and believe voters have a right to decide.
Information about the referendum and initiative drives is available by contacting the SOAR office at the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce offices, 201 E. Center Street, Anaheim, CA. Phone: (714) 400-0734. Web site: www.soaranaheim.com