The city is looking for ways to streamline the relocation of Gateway Casino's Lakeside Casino in Penticton through a zoning amendment that more clearly defines properties suitable for a casino location. Steve Arstad

City seeks to smooth out casino relocation with bylaw amendment

PENTICTON – City Council is smoothing the way for Gateway Casinos to relocate on city-taxed property.

A zoning amendment that would include casino operation as a defined use was requested by staff at a council meeting earlier this week.

Director of Development Services Jules Hall said staff were alerted through media reports the Penticton Lakeside Resort was not renewing its lease with Gateway Casinos, adding the casino’s importance as an employer and revenue generator makes keeping the casino in Penticton a 'strategic priority.'

“With the report it will no longer be operating (at Lakeside Resort) as of May 14, 2017, it is opportune to address this amendment to the zoning bylaw,” Hall said.

The city does have 'indoor amusement, entertainment and recreation' listed in several zones, a category seen by staff as a similar use to a casino operation. The proposed amendment will see casino included in that category.

Hall said the change will allow any property now permitting 'indoor amusement, entertainment and recreation' to operate a casino without further zoning amendments. However, he cautioned, any casino application will still be required to go through a rigorous consultation process, according to the provisions covering casinos in provincial legislation.

Council was asked to give first reading to the bylaw amendment removing the specific designation of casino from the zoning bylaw and include reference to casino within the definition of indoor amusement, entertainment and recreation. Council agreed to changes, and will deal with the matter next at a public hearing on Nov. 2.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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