{"id":8504,"date":"2025-01-16T07:37:43","date_gmt":"2025-01-16T07:37:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/slategray-wallaby-310340.hostingersite.com\/index.php\/2025\/01\/16\/pensacola-greyhound-track-faces-local-zoning-hurdles-in-relocation-efforts\/"},"modified":"2025-01-16T07:37:43","modified_gmt":"2025-01-16T07:37:43","slug":"pensacola-greyhound-track-faces-local-zoning-hurdles-in-relocation-efforts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/casino-online-best.com\/index.php\/2025\/01\/16\/pensacola-greyhound-track-faces-local-zoning-hurdles-in-relocation-efforts\/","title":{"rendered":"Pensacola Greyhound Track Faces Local Zoning Hurdles in Relocation Efforts"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The PCI Gaming Authority of the Poarch Creek Indian Tribe owns the Pensacola Greyhound Track and Poker Room, which is working to move its operations to Northwest Pensacola. The project is running into opposition, though, because of local zoning concerns that need Escambia County\u2019s permission before state authorization can be granted.<\/p>\n

Zoning Challenges and Legal Debate<\/h2>\n

The proposed new location, situated at 2490 Interstate Circle, near Interstate-10 and Pine Forest Road, hinges on the county\u2019s zoning laws. During a recent Escambia County Board of Commissioners meeting, the board discussed a draft ordinance aimed at clarifying where pari-mutuel gaming establishments, such as poker cardrooms, can operate within county zones. At present, the zoning codes do not explicitly address these establishments, sparking debate on whether an ordinance should be introduced to define these locations.<\/p>\n

County Attorney Alison Rogers explained that the ordinance would help resolve ambiguity and ensure compliance with zoning regulations. \u201cThis would be sending an ordinance back to the planning board that could be created to specify which zoning categories they would be allowed in,\u201d<\/em> she said.<\/p>\n

Although the Pensacola Greyhound Track and Poker Room has already secured the new property under contract, it still requires a land use certificate from Escambia County to confirm that the proposed location meets zoning requirements. Will Dunaway, the attorney representing the facility, argued that an ordinance was unnecessary, citing the unique status of pari-mutuel gaming in Florida. He pointed out that Florida law limits the number of pari-mutuel licenses to one within a 100-mile radius, making the Pensacola facility the only one of its kind in the area. \u201cYou don\u2019t need an ordinance,\u201d<\/em> Dunaway stated. \u201cIt\u2019s not a slippery slope. You\u2019re not going to have a whole bunch of bars. You\u2019re not going to have a whole bunch of cardrooms.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

However, commissioners did not grant the land use certificate during the meeting. Instead, they sent the proposed ordinance back to the planning board for further review. There was a request for additional language to address distance restrictions, similar to those applied to other regulated businesses, such as keeping them away from schools or churches.<\/p>\n

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