The state Senate plans to amend the legislation, Senate Bill 862, so that it gives control of casino zoning to local authorities in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Fumo said.
"Residents of neighborhoods that are near the potential casino sites have raised some very legitimate concerns about the impact on their communities," Fumo said Wednesday. "I also had legitimate concerns about how local zoning ordinances might be used unfairly to place unnecessary obstructions in the way of casinos."
Fumo said Philadelphia City Councilmen Frank DiCicco and James Kenney worked with him to address local concerns over zoning issues.
A previous version of the bill, approved by the state House of Representatives earlier this year, pre-empted local zoning regulations for the facilities. An amendement introduced by Fumo and passed by the state Senate last month would require the gaming control board to follow Philadelphia's zoning ordinances in awarding licenses for the city's two facilities and regulating them. Fumo said he was willing to try local control, however, because of the strong community opposition to possible state control.
The Senate could vote on the legislation --and send it back to the state House of Representatives -- when it returns to session on Monday, he said.
This article appeared in the Philadelphia Business Journal on October 19, 2006.
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