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Fair Grounds Slot Decision Deferred

LOUISIANA – As reported by the Times-Picayune: "After 2 ½ hours of debate that featured impassioned pleas on both sides of the issue, the New Orleans City Planning Commission decided Tuesday to defer for a month a decision on Churchill Downs' plan to install hundreds of slot machines at the Fair Grounds racetrack.

"Supporters said that in the six months it has owned the Gentilly track, Churchill has proved itself to be a good neighbor and a good citizen, and that the revenue the slots would produce would be vital as the Fair Grounds tries to compete against other tracks nationwide for top horses and trainers.

"Opponents said Churchill has not been a good neighbor, already violating some of the provisos the city imposed on the track's operation, and they fear that the addition of slots would generate noise, trash, traffic and crime that could devastate their quality of life, especially if the machines are allowed to operate 24 hours a day, as Churchill wants.

"Under a state law approved specifically for the Fair Grounds in 2003, the track will be eligible to have 500 slot machines as of July 1 and probably will be able to add another 200 in 2006.

"The commission put off voting on two related zoning dockets until its May 10 meeting.

"…Churchill officials had suggested a deferral of two weeks, saying they wanted more time to meet with neighbors and try to allay their fears…"

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