In the latest twist in the battle between Disney and a newly formed oversight board created by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the board has passed a resolution seeking to assert control over development in two cities where Walt Disney World Resorts is located.
Seen Tuesday by Reuters, the resolution will hand the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board the right to review and evaluate all development in the 25,000 acres of land in and around the theme parks of Walt Disney Co.
Under a Florida law that formed the state-appointed oversight board, the board will maintain, “superior authority and control” over planning, zoning, and other land use in the cities of Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista.
Bay Lake’s city limits encompass Disney’s major theme parks, The Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios and the Animal Kingdom. Disney had been attempting to maintain its autonomy over the resort by using its influence over the two municipalities.
The resolution is scheduled to receive a hearing on April 19th.
Neither the oversight board, nor spokespeople for Lake Buena Vista and Bay Lake would offer comment on the matter.
Last year state Republicans began to target Disney, after it clashed with Governor DeSantis over a state law which would have limited school instruction on issues of gender and sexual orientation.
Among the measures Republicans implemented was a law which ended the virtual autonomy Disney enjoyed in developing the 25,000 acres in central Florida which are home to its theme parks. Current Disney CEO Bob Iger called the move retaliation against the company.
However before the new DeSantis appointees took over the board, Disney’s representatives pushed through limitations on the tax district agreement that governed it, which would have limited the power of the board for decades.
The Florida inspector general has been tasked by DeSantis to investigate what he referred to as “collusive and self-dealing arrangements” designed to “defy the will of Floridians.” He called the prior board’s actions an improper delegation of authority.
Experts have also noted that due to aspects of contract law which were violated in the documents involved in the limitations, including the lack of an exchange of value, it is likely they will not stand up in a court of law when challenged.