By Rachel Lippmann
Clayton, MO – The St. Louis County Planning Commission has recommended that the County Council approve zoning changes that would allow a casino to be built along the Mississippi River in North County.
The changes are just the first step in the approval process. Developers want to build a casino, entertainment complex and golf club on nearly 380 acres south of the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area.
They still lack a gaming license, though they are likely to bid on the license from the Admiral Casino in downtown St. Louis, which could become available next year. A number of federal, state and local agencies also need to give their approval.
"We kind of limited ourselves here to is this an appropriate location from a casino," said Glenn Powers, the county's director of planning.
Opponents including Dora Gianoulakis vow to fight the casino at any stage, though she said the rezoning limits debate on any future proposal.
"The county should not be rezoning it this way, that's the point," Gianoulakis said. "It's an inappropriate place. This is the wrong development in the wrong place. That is our message."