Parx Casino has failed in their application to move its Turf Club off-track betting business to Chickie’s and Pete’s restaurant, losing the vote 4-1 during a Zoom hearing.
Local residents had been vocal in their opposition to the potential move, with protests being held at the Packer Park Civic association and outside the restaurant itself.
Despite approval from the city planning commission to move the gambling business, the zoning board, whose job is to decide on applications by landowners to permit buildings or land uses which vary from the zoning regulations, saw it fit to reject the proposal.
Parx’s lawyer Mark Stewart was vocal in his disagreement with the decision. “We are very disappointed in the Zoning Board of Adjustment’s vote today on the application for 1526 Packer Avenue,” he said in a statement. “Their action was contrary to the City Planning Commission’s favorable recommendation and the strong record justifying the special exception. We will await the board’s written decision before making any decisions on next steps.”
The Packer group, who led the opposition to the move, responded to the decision by saying: “This heroic decision reaffirms that good, hard-working, tax-paying residents have a right to determine what happens in their community. We work so hard here to keep people in the city, keep our own community safe and drug-free, and support working families by providing a safe and welcoming community.”
