The board asked Sanborn in May to conduct a study projecting emergency calls. In June, he submitted only one page of data to the board, which basically cited numbers seen at nearby related businesses.<\/p>\n
Sanborn reportedly only let planning staff know about the new data three hours before the start of the board’s June meeting. That led Planning Board Chair Richard Woodfin to call his actions \u201ca little bit of an ambush.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the public was at home and not in attendance, the board not only took up the application, it digested new information it had just received, information it had previously found insufficient then approved it without the public ever having had any meaningful opportunity to be heard on it,\u201d<\/strong> the lawsuit further claims.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nThe board approved the proposal by a 4-2 vote, with one board member abstaining.<\/p>\n
Among the conditions the board set on the project are a traffic signalization plan, providing sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, and connections on Loudon Road, according to the Monitor<\/em>.<\/strong><\/p>\nThe complex is to be placed on the city\u2019s east side, at the intersection of Loudon and Sheep Davis roads.<\/p>\n
The board\u2019s vote led to immediate criticism.<\/p>\n
‘An Abomination’<\/h2>\n \u201cI was appalled to read that you \u2018reluctantly approved\u2019 Andy Sanborn\u2019s proposed casino project … I am still trying to comprehend how you could \u2018reluctantly approve\u2019 such a thing without a public hearing,\u201d one resident, Dan Williams, wrote to the Planning Board.<\/p>\n
I know that the citizens of Concord, especially those of us that live around the corner from this proposed abomination, will be determined to stop this plan,\u201d<\/strong> his letter added.<\/p><\/blockquote>\nDuring a lengthy review process, opponents of the casino raised concerns about its impact on the environment, increased traffic, and other negatives, such as the risk of prostitution and illegal drugs.<\/p>\n
A local environmental group that advocates for limited growth, the Concord Greenspace Coalition<\/a>, gave board members a petition opposing the casino.<\/p>\nUnder Sanborn\u2019s plans, the project’s first phase will lead to a 26,000-square-foot gaming floor. It will include 634 seats and 486 electronic games, 21 table games, and a poker room. Also included will be an 8,500-square-foot restaurant and brewpub. It would have room for 150 diners.<\/p>\n
A hotel and event space will be included in the second construction phase. Developers could add more gaming space, too.<\/p>\n
Supporters of the project pointed out that the casino will add more than 250 jobs and attract visitors to the city. They also note that charities will benefit from the gaming property.<\/strong><\/p>\nAs a charitable gaming operation, 35% of gross revenue from the casino will be sent to approved charities every 10 days.<\/p>\n
Sanborn already owns Concord\u2019s Draft Sports Bar and Grill and the Concord Casino.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A local woman has gone to court to challenge a casino that town officials recently approved for Concord, New Hampshire.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":44,"featured_media":282069,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[60,86435],"tags":[81928,82373,82497],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
New Hampshire Resident Files Appeal Against Concord Casino<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n