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Sparks Planning Commission Rejects Hotel-Casino Proposal
The Sparks Planning Commission has denied developer Harvey Whittemore and Peppermill Casinos its plans for a hotel casino on Pyramid Highway. The commission voted 4-3 late Monday rejecting the plans for the $100 million Lazy 8 resort.
Backers of the hotel casino said they would appeal the decision, a move that will bring the proposal to the Sparks City Council, and the courts if push comes to shove.
"I'm confident city council will see the merits of our position," Whittemore said after the meeting.
Whittemore brought to the table a 1994 entitlement to build a casino at his Wingfield Springs development east of Pyramid. He said that this could be moved to Pyramid Highway, where he plans to sell land to Peppermill for the development.
Local resident have opposed the casino proposal in fear of the establichment ruining their neighborhood.
John Ascuaga's Nugget executives were likewise happy with the decision.
"It is a very emotional issue - people get upset," said Michonne Ascuaga, chief executive of the Nugget. However, she added that her hotel-casino was not opposed to all new casinos in Sparks.
"We're all about building tourism. What we want to stay focused on is the land-use issue," she said.
Whittemore hotel casino plan is a 20-acre project that would include 200 hotel rooms, a movie theater, arcade, retail and restaurants.
Wednesday, 16. 2006
Victor Copeland