Analysis by Hastings Park Conservancy of current proposal by Casino for benefits and status of application:
Dear friends of Hastings Parks,
A number of neighbours have continued to follow the casino process since council’s 2004 decision to allow slots in our park.
We have sorted through mountains of information, city meetings and process issues.
Now we have boiled it down to five simple opportunities for your voice to be heard and make a difference. Please read below:
Residents have every reason to be optimistic. . . If we speak up again.
Several major “Conditions” were placed on Council’s decision to allow slots in 2004:
· An approved Development Permit
· Negotiating an Operating Agreement (Lease)
· Negotiating a Public Benefit package.
All are in process and staff will weigh residents input before giving recommendations to council.
Please note:
1. In negotiating the lease agreement the value of our Water & Mountain View Park Land was not based on the real estate value of land & buildings but was “based on what racetracks are willing to pay in other locations like Cloverdale!!” A gross giveaway!
2. The Development permit is contrary to previous promises and City Plan
3. The proposed 5 yr. lease can be renewed for 20 yr. with no conditions regarding social economic impacts.
Short Term IMMEADIATE ACTION is needed.
Calendar Dates please come:
1 Write to Development Permit Board by Sep. 13th asking that application be rejected. Attention: a) Alison Higginson 453 West 12th Avenue, V5Y 1V4 or b) fax: (604) 873-7060 or c) email: alison.higginson@vancouver.ca
2) Sep. 7 or 10 Attend the Public Open House and Fill out an official comment form. (Hastings Community Center 7pm. & 1p.m.)
3) !!Sep. 20 Speak to Council (2p.m. City Hall 3rd). Ask that they not enact the by-law to allow slots at Hastings Park. Very important meeting!!
4) Sep. 22 Speak to Council (2p.m. City Hall 3rd) about public benefit package or come to support out speakers.
5) !!Oct. 3 Speak the DP board, (3p.m. City Hall 3rd floor) ask that they reject casino’s development application. Very important meeting!!
For more information contact David.Bornman@wccf.bc.ca or 604-318-0969
For summary explanation of each meeting see additional pages
Casino at Hastings. . . Why? The Future can be bright!
Explanation of each meeting:
1. Development Application (do you really think this could get approved?)
2004 Public was told:
· Traffic would enter from east
· Horse barns could move for stream restoration
· Parking lots would be reclaimed with underground garage and green on top
· Hasting Sunrise City Plan was approved (March, ’04) including plans to down grade Renfrew to local traffic.
Current Casino application:
· No Underground Parking
· No moving of Horse Barns
· Renfrew entrance at Dundas and gate 6&7 for traffic to circulate around both sides of the Coliseum to the casino entrance
· Area in front of Rollerland and the Coliseum will be used for Taxi & Tour Bus waiting possibly a transit stop.
· Renfrew and McGill parking lot will be most used
ACTION: Write to Development Permit Board by Sep. 13th asking that application be rejected. Attn: a) Alison Higginson 453 West 12th Avenue, V5Y 1V4 or
b) fax: (604) 873-7060 or c) email: alison.higginson@vancouver.ca
2. September 7th or 10th: Public Open House
(7th 7-10 p.m. Sat 1-4 p.m. Hastings Community Center)
a. Casino & Staff will present an explanation of the proposed renovations at the racetrack and plans for traffic.
b. Casino will also present its public benefit package. (How much money it is willing to pay the city in addition to rent and 10% of gamblers losses.)
c. There will be question & answer times and sticky notes to put up but be sure to find the “official comment forms”
ACTION: Be sure to fill out an official comment form as staff will be reporting on the 14th how many forms were filled out in favour or opposed to the application. Write what you expect don’t just chose one of the options presented.
3. !!September 20: Council to enact by-law to allow slots (2p.m. City Hall 3rd)
a. The decision to allow slots (2004) does not become law unless council “enacts” their decision at this meeting.
b. If council is not satisfied with the results of the development application, the operating lease or the public benefits they would not want to enact this decision until they are convinced the deal is final. Why?
c. Once “enacted” this property would now be zoned for any business to install slots even if current casino fell through.
ACTION: Speak to Council. Simply tell council that they must not enact this decision before they have finalized all of the terms for this development. Come 30 min. early and put your name on the list. Important meeting / Numbers do matter
4. September 22: Council to approve public benefits package. (2p.m. City Hall 3rd)
a. Council will here a report of what staff has been able to negotiate in addition to annual rent for parkland and the city’s 10% share of gamblers losses.
b. Note: The Community should receive rent money in compensation for ½ our park. However, please note that in negotiating the lease agreement the value of our Water & Mountain View Park Land was “based on what racetracks are willing to pay in other locations like Cloverdale!!” (staff Aug 8th)
c. Most residents dislike the idea of benefiting from gamblers losses. However, if council were to finalize this zoning change for Hastings Park, residents need consider the impact of how the casino presents itself.
d. If the casino is seen as a provider and Hastings as one beholden to it’s supply, our community will lose it’s voice and its park for good.
e. Here is a perspective on the six “benefits” being presented by the casino.
i. $100,000 to Vancouver / yr.
· A City Benefit but miniscule compared to the $60-$100 million the casino hopes will be lost by gamblers.
ii. Local hiring:
· This is a Company Benefit ensuring a stronger foothold in our community in the future
iii. Child Care
· Primarily an Employee Benefit
iv. Employee training
· Employee Benefits which should not be touted as a community benefit
v. Community integration (movie nights and charity partnership)
· Company benefit a desperate attempt for community foothold
vi. Policing
· Simply a mitigation requirement by council to clean up their own mess, hardly a public benefit.
ACTION: Speak to council; a) We don’t want a Casino b) But if council still chooses to rent our park, we want “Rent money” valued on “view property” c) We do not want public benefit money as it would cause our community to be beholden to addicts losses. d) Local hiring will only give the casino a stronger foothold among residents.
5. !!October 3: D. P. Board to approve application. (3p.m. City Hall 3rd floor)
a. Having reviewed letters from residents and staff recommendations, a three person board will approve or reject the casino’s development application.
ACTION: Speak to DP board and simply ask them to reject the application. Important Meeting / numbers do matter
For more information contact: David.Bornman@wccf.bc.ca or 604-318-0969