July 17 big day for Biloxi casinos

Found this article in the Sun Herald last week. I however feel like the title and first sentence (see below) are a tad bit misleading. One, this ruling will not effect any casinos or sites already approved. Two, parcels are approved or denied on a per site basis, yes this ruling could effect future parcel rulings, but it would still come down to an individual approved. Biloxi Blog or Biloxi Casinos will most likely have the news after the ruling.

BILOXI — July 17 will be a red-letter day for the future of casinos in Biloxi.

Besides the Mississippi Gaming Commission moving its hearing to Biloxi that day to consider the legality of the South Beach Casino site, the Biloxi Planning Commission is expected to decide that afternoon if 81 acres in East Biloxi should collectively be rezoned waterfront.

At Thursday’s meeting about 20 people voiced their support and concerns for the rezoning proposal. Rep. Michael Janus (R-Biloxi) sent a letter saying he doesn’t believe any negative legislation will come from the House of Representatives if the planning commission and the City Council decide to rezone the land.

“It’s a lot of information to absorb at one time,” said Community Development Director Jerry Creel.

He recommended the Maps & Text Committee meet next week to review the comments and present a recommendation to the planning commission at its July 17 meeting.

David Wheeler, the attorney representing the 34 property owners who want their land rezoned from Dukate to Kuhn streets, said he was surprised the commission didn’t vote Thursday.

“These property owners are anxious to get the property rezoned so they can have some development options,” he said.

Waterfront zoning permits multiple uses, including residential, commercial and boat yards, and is also needed before the Gaming Commission will consider whether a site is legal and proper for a casino.

Jerry O’Keefe, who went to Wheeler with the proposal for rezoning, said he has no financial interest in any casino. Many of the lots in the area have been vacant since Hurricane Camille in 1969, he said.

Eleanor Jordan said this is the one chance she and other property owners in that area have at recovery. Others who support the project said it will promote economic opportunity.

Those arguing against the proposal said any rezoning should be done individually rather than collectively. They also said casinos could push Keesler Air Force Base out of the city and commented that New Orleans managed to keep its historic French Quarter and Garden District and still have casinos.

Wheeler said the city has already rezoned five parcels with multiple owners in East Biloxi since Hurricane Katrina.

“It’s an effort by property owners to generate some activity there,” he said.