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<br />egadevelo��me�it is no longex• con6ned to big box retail. It
<br />is encrvacliiE�g on a wide range of l�unaa�z activities
<br />in�lit�ing animaf liusbaGtdry (see "Hog-Tied Uy �eedlots,"
<br />Qccober} ancl religioiz (see "Zoning aixd Big liox Religion,"
<br />November). Plan��ers �hougl3r tiiey �nderstood 6ow to regulace
<br />these land uses �ut now find cliat t6ey mtist reexarnicie theix-
<br />i�npacts on communitics.
<br />"l'f�e IatcSC 6ig-box €�Izenometion is the �it�lti��lex {or
<br />tnegaplex} rheaters tltar are sprouting ra�id]}� acR�oss the country.
<br />'1 he trend began 33 years ago when Stanley I-i. Du�ward, ti�e
<br />fouuder of AMC Theate�s, invented tlie inul[iscreen movie
<br />theater by splicting tEie screen of a Kansas Ciry tlieater in two.
<br />Over ti�ne, neighborhood and inall tlzeaters expa�adcd i��to Four
<br />to six scree��s. OnEy in tEie last two years, however, has the Fad
<br />for upwards of 18 scree3is seized the entertainmeEit industry.
<br />Tl�e 6��a1 impacts of what is sometiines called muit'spfex
<br />�nania are stil( unclear and tkierefore diEficult for planners to
<br />�:address. Sorr�e cities seekit�g ecoeiomic revitalizatio�i Eiave
<br />'j
<br />welcomed them as a slgn oFrebirtEi. �[sewhere, however, d1e
<br />prospect of havir3g sucli a facility itx the community Izas appalked
<br />many citizens. On occasion, grassroots organizatiocis l�ave
<br />organized to oppose them, o�tct� successfuliy.
<br />�o� �ag as �°s��
<br />How many screens co��stitute a multiplex rheater? F.ight? Ten?
<br />`I'welve? 1lccording to ICay Crosswhite, director of corporate
<br />conittiunications at .AMC "I�heaters, ehe miniinuna ia� the UnitecE
<br />Stares is 16 screens. I�� Japan, it is 13. Crosswliite says al1 futurc
<br />deveiopment at AMC will be ia tlie megaplex category, u�l�ich
<br />sl�e de6��es as having at least 24 screens. AMC built oc�e oF t6e
<br />first inegaplexes it� Dallas with 24 screens, but futcrre projects
<br />will l�ave at leasc 30.
<br />AMC is now building the largest movie theatcr i�i the wurld isi
<br />the Ontario Mills shopping cen�er in Orange County, California,
<br />just soudi of Los Angeles. Tt will k�ave 30 screens and a seating
<br />capacity oFC,2t)0. The area already has a numbe�• oF nwltiscrecn
<br />theaters, incluc�i��g Ehc pteviotts "largest movie complex in thc
<br />tivor[d" in 1�-viE�e, boasring 21 screens ancf G,�40 seats.
<br />Crosswliite says AMC believes tl�e �xault�iscreen the:sicr
<br />provides an experience I�eyond the simple act of goii3g to tl�e
<br />�novies. The deveIo�er wants the andience eo experience "ar�
<br />entertainment event" with every ameniry �ossib4e. The seating
<br />The AMC Gr�t»d 24 in Dallrrs, 7'exa.r, is an e.xmnple nftl�e n7egaplex the�teis tha't ai•e sprouti�ag ��cpi�(ly an�o.rs the country.
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