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Bethlehem to Restrict Businesses Like Casinos

Bethlehem is working on an ordinance to restrict undesirable businesses like casino. City officials are working on a proposal that will regulate other businesses if gambling comes to Bethlehem.

Mayor John Callahan said, "We want safeguards in place to protect the areas around the casino site and around south Bethlehem from those types of uses. We can't zone them out entirely, but we can limit the proliferating of them."

The city's zoning does not ban gambling, but it does not permit it either. The city planners are expecting to have the proposal ready by August 17 for the Planning Commission. It also reviews a zoning proposal that would allow gambling where casino is planned to build.

The proposed casino has an estimated budget of $879 million redevelopment on 120 acres of the old Steel plant. The casino will be built across 56 acres near the Minsi Trail Bridge. The first phase would include a cinema, restaurant and shops. Sands BethWorks Gaming, a partnership that includes Las Vegas Sands of Nevada is making the proposal.

Callahan said he is more concerned about private entrepreneurs would bring to Third and Fourth streets, which run alongside the old Steel land. He added he is not concerned that the casino would bring undesirable businesses on its property.

The Rev. Mark Ruzicka said the community should also take part in this dialogue, which turned out last year to debate the failed gambling ban.

"The time for practicality is here. The large moral debate happened. The smart thing to do now is what Bethlehem appears to be doing" Ruzicka said.

The City officials are still writing the ordinance while the details on the proposal are few. The city officials can't zone out a particular type of business, but they can pile on enough restrictions on casino business.