Casino news source: Douglas Times - http://news.rgj.com
Baer's 'Hillbillies' casino plan stirs emotions prior to tie vote
MATT FARLEY
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
Posted: 6/15/2007
PATRICK CUMMINGS/RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
Patrick Cummings/Douglas Times...Supporters of Jethro's Beverly Hillbillies Mansion & Casino wearing shirts that read, "If he builds it they will come" filled the meeting room during the Douglas County Planning Commission session in Minden on June 12, 2007.
Patrick Cummings/Douglas Times...A group headed by Max Baer Jr. asked for approval from the Douglas County Planning Commission for developing Jethro's Beverly Hillbillies Mansion & Casino in north Douglas. Supporters of the project wore t-shirts with a casino logo on the back and reading, "If he builds it they will come" on the front during the Commission's session in Minden on June 12, 2007.
After years of legal maneuvering and five hours of discussion before the Douglas County Planning Commission, the saga surrounding a proposed "Beverly Hillbillies"-themed casino was extended by at least a month Tuesday after one commissioner left the session before a vote was taken.
Following a series of presentations from angry detractors and enthusiastic supporters, the commission split 3-3 in considering whether to grant a zoning change for 23 acres of land near Lyla Lane owned by former "Hillbillies" actor Max Baer Jr. The change would have redesignated the area as a tourist commercial site with a 15.83-acre gaming district overlay, modifications Baer and his investors deem crucial in the success of the venture, he said earlier this week.
The meeting to debate the change, and two others related to the proposed Jethro Bodine's Beverly Hillbillies Mansion & Casino, was widely viewed as the beginning of a final showdown over the resort, which has already been denied for sites in Reno and Carson City.
More than 100 people jammed the historic Douglas County Administration Building. The 80 or so seats in the commission chambers filled up well before discussion began.
At least a third of the crowd wore flashy T-shirts with the words "If he builds it, they will come" emblazoned across the chest. Baer and his planning team set up camp in the front row. Several friends ribbed the famously casual Baer for wearing slacks and a dress shirt to the proceedings.
Praise for the project
"Max is a very high-energy person who has always been involved in the community," supporter Judy Naves said before the session, noting that her husband was part of Baer's team. "He will be a great asset to Douglas County, and we think that's the decision that will be made today."
But as the 1 p.m. meeting wore on into the evening, commissioner Mike Howell excused himself just after 5 p.m., leaving only six commissioners present when a vote was taken less than an hour later. The 3-3 draw, with Bob Conner, Mike Olson and Matt McKinney supporting the change and Margaret Pross, Jim Madsen and Rick Ross opposing it, technically counted as a 'no' vote, Conner said.
But upon further conference with Deputy District Attorney Cynthea Gregory, he announced that Baer could appeal the vote, an option he readily accepted. The matter was continued until the commission's next meeting scheduled for July 10.
"We were basically rounding to an attack," said Baer representative Donald Smit who was visibly upset and apparently caught off guard when a team from Big George Ventures, a developer planning to build a subdivision near the proposed casino site, gave a lengthy presentation accusing Baer's project of flouting the Douglas County master plan.
"We released our material a long time ago and they've had weeks to pick it apart, where they just handed theirs to us an hour ago. I won't spend another hour going over the information ... but they've made fools of (the commissioners)," Smit said.
Drawing visitors
Even before the continuation, Baer said what he sees as county leaders' indecision was wearing thin. Several county plans call for landmarks that will draw visitors to the area, and the Hillbillies casino, including a proposed 200-foot-tall oil derrick and electronic sign at the corner of Topsy Lane and U.S. 395, fits the bill perfectly, he said.
"If you want an attraction, you can't say you don't want people to see it," Baer said. "I can't ask my investors to go in on a $24 million project that we're going to hide from people. The whole reason Douglas County needs (a project like this) is (because) that area near Topsy almost appears as if it's part of Carson City."
Aside from the arguments made by Big George and Baer's group, a parade of citizens spoke before the commission. Though the majority supported the casino, the opposition was well represented.
Lyla Lane resident Jerry Vaccaro told the commission that though he had known Baer for years and has no quarrel with him, he had opposed the casino since it was first proposed in Reno.
"Now he wants to build it next to my house," Vaccaro said. "I'm tired of this sizzle and razzle dazzle. I don't have a (PowerPoint) show like some of these other people, but I have maps. And after all of this, what consideration has been given to my neighborhood? Nothing." |
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