Legislative representatives in North Carolina are presently striving to broaden the scope of casino gambling by setting forth plans for land rezoning in Rockingham County. Just this past August, the County Commission Board provided official endorsement for land rezoning of multiple acreages with the ultimate goal being a new casino development. This decision instantly caught the notice of local inhabitants, community groups, and organizations within the county.
Consequently, a fresh legal action was launched, which confronted the decision of rezoning and accused it of being legally improper. Included among the litigants in this recent legal action, are property owners and organizations asserting that the arrival of a casino could bring about significant damage to the area’s quality of life. According to FOX 8’s report, Camp Carefree, a facility for disabled children and others with unique requirements, is participating in the lawsuit, which contests the decision to rezone approximately 200 acres of land, effectively facilitating the construction of a casino in Rockingham County.
Aside from Camp Carefree, a non-profit entity proximate to the casino’s potential site, additional businesses and property owners are expressing their disapproval of the proposed plan. Pertinently, the lawsuit implies that the rezoning endeavor breached “basic legal requirements.”
The rezoning request which received approval was submitted by NC Development Holdings, an enterprise believed to be connected with the premier game and amusement magnate, The Cordish Companies. Fundamentally, the decision allowed for some 192 acres of land to transition from being zoned for agricultural or residential purposes to commercial usage along the highway. This change signifies a critical stage in the casino construction scheme, however, it is not the final procedure. Furthermore, given the newly announced lawsuit, the timeline of the project could undergo significant effects.
A Critique of Legislative Decisions In The Case
In their legal complaint, opposers of the casino development criticized the “decisions of local and state officials who believe that the placement of a casino adjacent to a cherished camp for children is appropriate.” Additionally, the lawsuit emphasizes that for almost forty years, Camp Carefree has been instrumental in delivering essential services for disabled children and those with special needs. The legal papers have questioned the openness of lawmakers’ decisions, alleging that the decision surrounding the rezoning was enveloped with “secrecy and deception” and pronounced it illegal.
Speaking on behalf of the plaintiffs, they mentioned the backing they have received from both Democrats and Republicans in the state who recognize the potential harmful effect a casino could have on local societies. They argue that the impact could be particularly detrimental to communities across Nash, Anson, and Rockingham that are financially constrained.
