Council Vote on Slots Might Be Postponed

Members Divided on Approval of Zoning

The Anne Arundel County Council has been considering whether to approve plans for the state's largest slots parlor for months and is finally scheduled to vote tomorrow night.

Or not.

Council members are divided, with a couple undecided, and expect the wrangling to continue as they debate whether to grant zoning approval to a slots parlor near Arundel Mills mall. Members said a final vote might not happen tomorrow after all. The failure to vote could create additional uncertainty over the future and potential success of slots in Maryland.

"There are a lot of factors out there, and a lot of it all depends on whether we get to a vote on Monday night," said County Council Chairman Edward R. Reilly (R-Crofton).

The plan by entertainment company Cordish to bring slots to Arundel Mills emerged this year after the results of a November referendum made slot machine gambling legal. For years, one of the most discussed locations was the Laurel racetrack. But the Laurel Park bid was rejected in February when its owner, Magna Entertainment, failed to pay an initial licensing fee. The mall quickly emerged as the largest and most potentially lucrative proposal received by the state.

Council member Daryl Jones (D-Severn), who represents the district around the mall and remains undecided, said he wants more parking and an additional road to the gambling hall to help with traffic if the proposal passes. If the council agrees to his request for those changes, it will have to hold another public hearing. That, with member absences expected at other meetings, could delay a vote until July 6.

"I've gone both ways on it," Jones said. "There are a lot of concerns here. I'm trying to balance those out."

The delays are frustrating slots supporters, including legislative leaders who hope to eventually count on slots revenue for the state budget.

"It is a concern," Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert) said. "We absolutely, positively never should have allowed local officials to control the state budget through their zoning authority. It's a silly situation. They should vote this up or down."

Adding to the uncertainty over the delays are other concerns.

Three council members, including Reilly, support the zoning change for slots. Two oppose it, and two, including Jones and Cathleen M. Vitale (R-Severna Park), are undecided. Four votes are needed to pass the proposal. Reilly is seeking appointment to a vacant state Senate seat that could remove him from the council before a vote in July.

With several council members facing reelection contests next year and the possibility that one or more might also consider a run for county executive, the political implications of the vote are enormous.