PAC approves racetrack/slot facility rezoning request

A public meeting about a proposed racetrack and slots facility in North Bay could be held as early as Jan. 24, Coun. Dave Mendicino says.

Mendicino made the remark Wednesday night after the city’s planning advisory committee passed a rezoning request by Nipissing Entertainment, which wants to build the track on industrial land at Ferris Drive and Birch’s Road.

Nipissing Entertainment wanted the 41-hectare piece of property it owns rezoned from Industrial Holding to Industrial Commercial Special Zone.

A report on the issue was written by city planner Beverly Hall, who stated the proposed development will have “relatively little” negative impact on adjacent land uses, and the site was an “appropriate” location for a raceway/slot gaming facility.

Hall also wrote the city planning staff “do not have the specialized expertise” to provide an opinion on the social impact of gaming facilities.

A recorded vote was called for and the rezoning application received unanimous approval.

Mendicino said he was “shooting for” the matter to be brought up at the committee meeting of council scheduled for Jan. 24.

BayToday.ca will have more on this story Thursday morning.