FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 4, 2007
The Philadelphia Neighborhood Alliance (PNA) supports Senator Fumo's
legal filing in the most recent SugarHouse lawsuit filed with the
Pennsylvania Supreme Court. The PNA agrees with the Senator’s
assessment that SugarHouse's suit is a “bold and aggressive attempt to
circumvent the local zoning process that would be at the expense of the
public interest.”
Senator Fumo, who authored the state's gaming law, and whose
interpretation is therefore persuasive, explained in his filing that
“nothing in the [Gaming Act] permits the usurpation of local zoning
control.” Furthermore, SugarHouse must realize, gaming is “a privilege”
and not an “inherent right” that overrides the City of Philadelphia
and, particularly Philadelphia’s City Council.
In his brief, Fumo states "that the gaming legislation clearly states
that the primary purpose of the law is to protect the public from the
negative impacts of gaming.” The PNA echoes Senator Fumo’s contention
that if SugarHouse believes the zoning and regulatory approval process
is too burdensome for the proposed site, it is in the public interest
for SugarHouse to resite.
"SugarHouse seeks to bypass the vital interests of the public to
preserve the quality of life for tens of thousands of residents in the
densely populated neighborhoods near the sites of the proposed
casinos," said Debbie King of Northern Liberties.
PNA calls on both Foxwoods and SugarHouse and their investors to end
the stalemate and work towards finding new locations more than 1500
feet from homes, schools, playgrounds and houses of worship. PNA
maintains casinos can be built elsewhere without the loss of jobs or
revenue—a contention that has never been disproved.
PNA asks Senator Fumo to use his political capital to support HB1477
which would require the re-siting of both casinos consistent with the
1500 foot buffer between neighborhoods and casinos.
Note: The Philadelphia Neighborhood Alliance was formerly known as the
“Delaware River Neighborhood Alliance.”
_____