Local Resident Launches Legal Appeal Against the Contentious Concord, NH Casino
A resident in Concord, NH recently filed a lawsuit in Merrimack County Superior Court against the town authorities, challenging a casino project. Kassey Cameron claims that local officials didn't properly disclose the approval process for the project.
The Concord Planning Board was due to discuss the casino proposal at their June meeting, but local residents weren't adequately informed. If they had known, they may have voiced their concerns against the project.
The appeal highlights how the public's right to participate in the process for determining the potential effects of a large-scale casino, including a microbrewery and a hotel, was infringed upon. Amy Manzelli, Cameron's attorney from BCM Environmental & Land Law in Concord, noted the deprivation of due process and legal errors.
Cameron seeks to invalidate the board's conditional approval for the project.
If successful, the application could return to the planning board for further review or a new vote.
Residents have raised concerns about potential crime increases and strain on emergency services due to the casino.
Andy Sanborn, the applicant who's a former state senator, was supposed to submit a study on the potential number of emergency calls generated by the casino but only provided a single page of data.
The board had previously found the information insufficient but received it shortly before their June meeting started, giving the public no chance to offer their opinions.
Sanborn faced criticism for this perceived ambush.
The board ultimately voted 4-2, with one member abstaining, to approve the casino proposal. They asked for a traffic signalization plan and demanded sidewalks, crossings on Loudon Road, and connections to make up for the lack of these features in the project location.
The complex planned to be built on the city's east side at the intersection of Loudon and Sheep Davis roads.
Criticism of the decision was immediate.
"I was appalled to read that you 'reluctantly approved' Andy Sanborn's proposed casino," Dan Williams wrote in a letter to the Planning Board. "I am still trying to comprehend how you could 'reluctantly approve' such a thing without a public hearing."
Residents opposed to the casino have raised various concerns, such as environmental degradation, traffic, and potential issues like prostitution and illegal drug use.
The Concord Greenspace Coalition, a pro-growth advocacy group, petitioned the board with a petition against the casino.
The first phase of Sanborn's project aims for a 26,000-square-foot gaming floor with over 600 seats. The floor would feature 486 electronic games, 21 table games, and a poker room. A restaurant and brewpub are also included, with capacity for 150 diners.
In a second construction phase, a hotel and event space are planned. Additional gaming space could also be added. Support for the project comes from its potential for creating more than 250 jobs and generating tourist attraction. Moreover, 35% of the casino's revenue will be contributed to participating charities every ten days.
Sanborn already owns the Draft Sports Bar and Grill and the Concord Casino.
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Source: www.casino.org
