April 20, 2001
Planning agency delays decision on casino
By Erica Jahn
Apr 20 2001
“A proposal to build a mini-casino in the West Bay Shopping Center in Port Orchard has given members of the city planning commission a little more to think about than they originally expected.
The commission decided April 16 to put off until next month making a recommendation to the Port Orchard City Council on whether to grant a conditional use permit for the Blackjack Creek Restaurant, Lounge and Casino.
The owners hope to have the casino up and running within six months. The planning commission discussed and took public comment April 16 on the application for the conditional use permit, but there were enough unanswered questions remaining by about 9:30 p.m. that members decided against making a final determination. Instead, the commission will continue discussion and public comment at the next regular planning commission meeting, scheduled for May 21. The continuation will keep the Port Orchard City Council from making a final decision on the conditional use permit application until the last week of May or early June, but commission member Fred Chang said there was a lot of confusion about the law in regard to mini-casinos and gambling generally. “We need more information,” he said. “There were lots of questions regarding what the city can and can’t do.”
The application for the casino was submitted in the beginning of March by Henry and Karen O’Sullivan, who own Hank’s Country Inn, a 20-year-old casino and restaurant in Belfair. Henry O’Sullivan said probably 35 percent Hank’s clientele are residents of Port Orchard, leading he and Karen to consider locating a casino in the city.
The Blackjack Creek casino would include 13 blackjack tables, card games like Caribbean Stud and Let it Ride, a two-table poker room and a pull-tab bar.Alcohol would be served in the casino, which would also boast a 24-hour restaurant and a snack bar. Patrons would have to be at least 21 years old to get in.The O’Sullivans said they expect to hire about 100 people to work in the casino, including dealers, waiters, floor staff, security, surveillance personnel, bartenders and hostesses.
The May 21 planning commission meeting will be open to the public, and community members are invited to attend to contribute to the public comment portion. The planning commission meets in the city council chambers at City Hall in Port Orchard. ”
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