Las Vegas Sands Corp. has revised its proposal for a major development in Irving amid public opposition and the current illegality of gambling in Texas. The company asked Irving City Council members to strip the casino gambling portion from the proposed zoning amendment.
The original plan included a “destination resort” featuring casino gaming, contingent upon the legalization of gambling in Texas. However, during a public workshop on Thursday, Sands’ executive Mark Boekenheide addressed the Irving City Council, requesting the removal of the casino element from the zoning proposal.
The revised proposal focuses on developing a high-density, mixed-use area encompassing retail, residential spaces, a hotel, and an arena. Now, if approved, permitted land will not include casino gaming at a destination resort, or a nightclub with the destination resort.
The development is planned for a 1,001-acre site near Highway 114, which includes the former Texas Stadium location.
This decision follows a contentious Planning and Zoning Commission meeting earlier in the week, where residents expressed concerns about the potential social impacts of introducing a casino to the area.
Again on Thursday night, there was standing room only, with several people finding out after signing up to speak that the proposal had been amended.
“I wasn’t opposed to a development. We need economic development in the city. We need a wider variety of activities for our residents. But the issue that I had, and I think a lot of residents shared, was the issue of gaming in that zoning application,” said Irving resident, Fuad Dadabhoy.
The commission narrowly approved the rezoning proposal in a 5-4 vote, advancing it to the City Council for consideration.
Several speakers said they’re now excited about the potential, but still expressed hesitancy about Sands Corp. Some said they want gaming casinos prohibited not just as it relates to the destination resort, but to explicitly name gambling as prohibited use.
“If they’re honest people they’re not going to do anything if they’re not doing gaming. So, if they do something then you gotta question their honesty,” said Irving resident, Charles Zipper.
The City Council is scheduled to vote on the revised zoning amendment. If approved, Las Vegas Sands Corp., which recently acquired a majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks, could proceed with the development under the new parameters, excluding casino gaming.
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