|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
State
Rep. Mike O’Brien State Rep. William Keller D-Philadelphia |
|
Keller and Mike O’Brien praise
state Supreme Court decision on casino zoning permits
HARRISBURG, Nov. 20 – State Reps. William Keller and Mike O’Brien, both D-Phila., today praised a decision handed down by the state Supreme Court denying a request by Foxwoods Casino to force Philadelphia to issue zoning permits needed to begin casino construction.
“I have been fighting for the best interests of my constituents since before I took office in January,” O’Brien said. “Few topics make them more passionate than the idea that a casino could be built in our backyards, impacting our day-to-day routines and our quality of life. Casinos are here, but we need to make sure we’re being smart about where they’re located in our city.”
In a unanimous decision, the court told Foxwoods that the gaming group could not circumvent state law, nor could the court. In explaining that the Supreme Court does not have jurisdiction to strike down Philadelphia’s zoning laws, the justices did transfer to the Court of Common Pleas Foxwood’s request to mandate the city to issue the necessary zoning permits.
“Mike and I will continue fighting to ensure positive land-use principles here in Philadelphia,” Keller said. “This situation is not resolved yet, and we will closely monitor future court decisions and do what we feel is best for our neighborhoods and our city.”
Both the SugarHouse Casino near the Girard Avenue exit of I-95, which is in O’Brien’s legislative district, and Foxwoods Casino in South Philadelphia in Keller’s district, were originally expected to open in 2008.
###ram/2007/mjh
l:\print\releases\CasinoPermits.175
|
CONTACT: Ruth A. Myers |