New York City officials advance zoning changes for casinos

Officials are poised to move forward Monday with citywide zoning reforms that will make way for casinos in New York City, as gaming giants and real estate developers vie for three prized downstate operating licenses.

The zoning amendment — which would legalize casinos in certain commercial and manufacturing areas, assuming they obtain a gaming license from the state — is expected to enter the roughly seven-month land use process at a meeting of the City Planning Commission.

While the specifics of at least nine casino bids in New York City will be reviewed by local advisory committees in the coming months, the citywide initiative is intended to ensure the gaming applications as a whole are “not at a competitive disadvantage” in the ongoing state process compared to those in surrounding counties, Department of City Planning Director Dan Garodnick and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams said in a statement last month.

It also ensures the city won’t be deluged with individual land use applications from each of the casino bidders. The licensing process requires that applicants obtain local land use approvals before they’re considered by the state gaming commission.

Under the proposed text amendment, gaming facilities would be permitted in specified commercial and manufacturing zones with a state license, and those facilities would be “deemed complying and conforming with all applicable use and bulk zoning regulations,” according to a description of the proposed changes.

“Other non-casino uses such as hotels, restaurants, bars, eating or drinking establishments, as well as other amenities, may be included with the State approval and license, and will also be deemed as being in compliance with the Zoning Resolution,” the description states.

The proposal will be reviewed by the city’s 59 community boards, five borough presidents and come up for a vote by the Council sometime next year.