The new process will let casino projects avoid undergoing a separate land use review in certain circumstances.
The New York City Council approved a zoning amendment that will permit casinos or gaming facilities in manufacturing and commercial districts of the city, reports Kathryn Brenzel in The Real Deal.
According to Brenzel, “The change saves casino proposals from going through a separate land use review process to merely exist, even if they include a hotel, which now requires a special permit. The change would also help avoid duplicative and lengthy environmental reviews at the city level before beginning the state process.”
Some casino projects, like one proposed for Hudson Yards and another in the Bronx, still require separate city and state approvals. “In March, the state’s Gaming Commission indicated that it would wait for the casino bidders to make their way through the various city and state land use approvals before accepting applications in 2025.”
FULL STORY: Casinos get city-level green light as council approves zoning change
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