New roadblocks to casinos urged

Friday, March 30, 2001 | 11:01 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- City council members and county commissioners would have greater power to thwart neighborhood casinos under a bill being heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Sen. Ray Rawson, R-Las Vegas, and Assemblywoman Merle Berman, R-Las Vegas, are co-sponsoring Senate Bill 171, which would empower local officials to have the final say on whether a neighborhood casino is approved or rejected.

The bill is an outgrowth of the controversy last year over a proposed casino in southwest Las Vegas and the vote switching of then-Clark County Commissioner Lance Malone.

Voters overwhelmingly defeated the freshman commissioner in the general election last fall after he received criticism for supporting the casino in Spring Valley after first declaring his opposition to it.

The proposed bill stipulates that neighborhood casinos could not be approved without yes votes from three-fourths of a county commission or city council. The bill also says that a neighborhood casino could not be approved over the no vote of the representative from that ward or district.

Rawson cited examples of "destructive" projects having been located in neighborhoods, despite the opposition of the local representative.

"We see undesirable projects getting approval," Rawson said. "Other commissioners or council members will support it because it doesn't affect their area."

Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, said questionable projects do not always involve casinos but may be ones involved with hazardous materials.

Daniel Musgrove, representing the city of Las Vegas, said it is "bad policy" to put that much power in one person.

"That invites abuse," he said. "It takes the decision-making out of the local process."

If enacted, the bill could exclude development of additional gaming on the former Union Pacific land adjacent to downtown Las Vegas.

SB171 would expand from 500 feet to 1,500 feet the distance a gambling establishment must be from a developed residential district. Musgrove said that would put any casino on the 61 acres of railroad land within the residential area of Alta and Rancho drives, even though they are separated by railroad tracks and a freeway.

Musgrove suggested there may be "unintended consequences" at other locations, which would restrict casino development near residential neighborhoods.

The bill expands from 1,500 feet to 2,500 feet the distance from a casino to a public school or church.

Sen. Jon Porter, R-Henderson, said he continues to receive complaints in the growth areas about huge signs.

"They continue to be a thorn to the public. They lighten up the whole Western Hemisphere," he said.

The committee did not take any action on the bill in order to work on possible amendments.