“So we are allowing things that would not be permitted without any City Planning review, oversight, determinations,” she said. (Nagativ via Rubenstein Public Relations)Ĭommissioner Gail Benjamin described the component as “somewhat unusual,” pointing out that the text does not include restrictions on hotel size or require that guests use the casino. A rendering of a proposed casino near the United Nations building in Midtown Manhattan.

Planning commission members were critical of part of the text that would allow developers to include related establishments such as hotels, restaurants, bars and “other amenities” like theaters in the approval process. “Currently, the text really is too anemic to provide any guidance on what a casino should look like.” “The current version of the text is too thin on specifics and details and does not really address the environmental impacts the casino would have,” said Layla Law-Gisiko, chair of CB 5’s Land Use Committee, criticizing the “blanket, one-size-fits-all” approach as opposed to the site-specific method of ULURP. “It is a stupid idea dreamed up by people who have no interest in the public or the community.”Ī community board leader in Midtown Manhattan, where locals have expressed opposition to a casino, said she has heard concerns from several stakeholders about the text amendment. “The concept of depriving the community and people of an opportunity to be heard … is anathema to a democracy,” Moerdler told the Daily News. The Community Advisory Committees, as they’re known, will have to hold public meetings but - unlike the city’s land use mechanism, known as ULURP - will not include a representative of the local community board.įormer Buildings Commissioner Charles Moerdler described the move as an “outrage” that would curtail local input. The new zoning measure would mean the individual applicants would not have to go through the city’s sluggish land use process, which can be used as leverage by community members and lawmakers to secure certain commitments from developers.Ī committee consisting of the governor, mayor and local electeds will be created to view each gaming facility application based on the site’s location.

Jeff Bachner/for New York Daily NewsThe proposed Coney Island Brooklyn casino resort called The Coney.

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