Council approves new casino zoning
Shannon Howard | Nov 04, 2009 | Comments 5
The proposed casino would occupy nearly 400 acres of wetland directly adjacent to the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area.
At last night’s St. Louis County Council meeting, the council voted 4-3 to approve zoning changes for the proposed Riverview Casino at Columbia Bottom. At least twenty people, many representing larger groups, spoke in opposition to the casino. Two people, both representing unions, spoke in favor.
Many local residents also called the council prior to the meeting to express their disapproval of the project. The clerk I spoke with said her “anti-casino” list was quite long.
Despite that, and the fact that Columbia Bottom represents a genuine opportunity for North County in terms of eco-tourism, all three NoCo reps – Mike O’Mara, Hazel Erby and Kathleen Burkett - voted YES on the casino project. Florissant mayor Bob Lowery has also come out in favor of it, citing the need for more (low-wage) service and (temporary) construction jobs.
Thankfully, it’s not a done deal. The casino developers still need to clear environmental regulations, address floodplain issues, and secure a state gaming license…in a state where no more licenses are available.
Filed Under: Community
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Not a surprise to me.All people listed are short term thinkers,and money driven
Is there a means of forcing the council’s hand regarding zoning? For example, a ballot initiative that would rezone the land for something else?
Lowery says we need more low-wage service jobs??? What a pin-head! Lowery, give up your no-oversight credit card.
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