The Board of Commissioners in Rockingham County, North Carolina, voted 5-0 to rezone a parcel of land so it could possibly be the house for a possible on line casino. [Image: Flickr.com / UNC Libraries Commons]
The potential for a on line casino in Rockingham County, North Carolina has taken a step ahead, because the county’s Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to rezone 192 acres from residential agricultural to freeway industrial. Monday’s 5-0 vote follows the Rockingham County Planning Board’s 5-2 vote in opposition to rezoning final month.
In line with native media reviews, county residents got here to the fee’s assembly in droves, principally to specific their opposition. Chief amongst these voices have been these talking up for Camp Carefree, a camp for youngsters with disabilities that’s situated subsequent to the land.
don’t simply look to the builders who hold coming in, wanting to purchase our property”
Rhonda Rodenbough, treasurer of Camp Carefree, told the commissioners to think about the folks they signify and their tasks towards them, including: “Don’t simply look to the builders who hold coming in, wanting to purchase our property, eager to overcrowd our residents, eager to take parcels of land, and switch them into leisure districts.”
Although the rezoning has now been authorized, industrial casinos should nonetheless be legalized by state lawmakers and there has but to be a invoice launched. These builders that Rodenbough talked about are gaining traction; eight lawmakers have accepted donations from The Cordish Firms, which lobbied for the rezoning via NC Improvement Holdings.
Moreover, Senate Chief Phil Berger’s district contains Rockingham County and his son, Kevin, is without doubt one of the county’s commissioners. In July, Sen. Berger mentioned it was “higher than 50/50” {that a} playing growth invoice would make via the legislature this yr.
