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A
resolution, seen on Tuesday by Reuters, would give the Central
Florida Tourism Oversight District board the power to review and
evaluate development in the 25,000-square acres of property in
and around Walt Disney Co's theme parks.
The district would hold "superior authority and control" over
planning, zoning and other land use in the cities of Bay Lake
and Lake Buena Vista, under a Florida law that formed the
state-appointed oversight board.
Disney's major theme parks -- The Magic Kingdom, EPCOT,
Hollywood Studios and the Animal Kingdom -- are within the city
limits of Bay Lake, while the Disney Springs retail area sits in
Lake Buena Vista. Some had speculated that Disney would use its
influence over these two municipalities to maintain its autonomy
over its resort.
A hearing on the resolution is scheduled for April 19.
A spokesperson for Lake Buena Vista and Bay Lake did not respond
to Reuters' request for comment. A spokesperson for the
oversight board referred inquiries to an attorney, who was not
immediately available for comment.
State Republicans last year targeted Disney after it publicly
clashed with DeSantis, widely considered a 2024 presidential
candidate, over a law that restricts classroom instruction of
gender and sexual orientation.
In a move that current Disney CEO Bob Iger called retaliation,
Florida lawmakers passed legislation that ended Disney's virtual
autonomy in developing 25,000 acres in central Florida where its
theme parks are located.
But before the takeover by DeSantis's appointees, Disney pushed
through changes to the special tax district agreement that limit
the board's action for decades.
DeSantis has asked the Florida inspector general to investigate
what he called "collusive and self-dealing arrangements" that
aim to nullify recently passed legislation, and "defy the will
of Floridians". He said the prior board’s actions appear to
represent improper delegation of authority, among other
violations.
(Reporting by Dawn Chmielewski and Lisa Richwine in Los Angeles;
Editing by Sonali Paul)
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