Proposed gambling facility in Henrico narrowly dodges public input ordinance, leaders urge applicant to re-submit

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A proposed gambling facility in Henrico County is raising eyebrows as local leaders fear the applicant unfairly prevented the public from having a say in the process.

Six days passed between the project’s filing and a new ordinance which gives members of the public the opportunity to provide input on proposed developments like the gambling facility, which would be built on Glenside Drive if approved.

“A gaming facility can, by right, put historical horse racing, gambling slot machine type units, if you will, without public approval,” said a county official.

8News spoke with Henrico County’s Brookside District Supervisor Dan Schmitt, who said that the concern for the project stemmed not necessarily from the proposal itself, but from its timing. The applicant, Churchill Downs LLC, filed the proposal six days before the new ordinance would go into effect.

“…Knowing that that public process was going to be required after Tuesday,” Supervisor Schmitt said.

The new rule would require facilities like the proposed “Henrico Gaming” site to go through a public process, during which residents could weigh-in on factors like location and hours of operation.

“It would only simply allow residents to come to a board meeting to have their voices heard in a public hearing,” Supervisor Schmitt explained.

The Brookside District official drew attention to this issue at a board meeting on June 25. Other board members joined in and agreed that the timing was suspicious.

“It has to be seen as something trying to squeeze-in,” one member said.

Since then, Virginia General Assembly members signed a letter urging the applicant to withdraw the proposal and re-submit under the new rule.

Supervisor Schmitt explained why he feels moving forward as-is would be unfair to neighbors.

“There’s residential neighborhoods right behind this building and right across the street from us and there’s tons of residential neighborhoods in this area,” Schmitt said. “They deserve the right to participate in [approving] an establishment such as this going in 500 yards from their front door.”

8News has not heard back from the applicant yet about whether or not they’ve heard leaders’ pleas and whether they plan to withdraw the application. At this time, the proposal is still filed with the county.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRIC ABC 8News.