Plans for a video lottery casino planned on Brown County property right next to the city limits sparked discussion by the Aberdeen City Council when it met on Monday, March 25 at the Municipal Building.
Development of the eight-suite casino hasn’t yet begun, but Big Fella’s owner Stacy Gossman recently talked about his plans for the property at the intersection of Eighth Avenue Northeast and North Roosevelt Street with The Aberdeen Insider.
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The land isn’t in the city limits, though Gossman pursued annexation in 2023. That’s when the city council outlined expectations about development of the property. Gossman then decided not to pursue annexation.
City Attorney Ron Wager opened discussion Monday by asking if the planned casino should be discussed with county officials. The talk was not intended to disparage Gossman or his plans, Wager said.
He later described the parcel as unique as it’s surrounded on all sides by city property.
Aberdeen businesses that have on-sale liquor, malt beverage or wine licenses can obtain video lottery permits. Each permit allows for 10 machines. Wager said 66 businesses in town have a total of 452 video lottery machines.
For businesses in the city limits that have only malt beverage service, there can only be 35 video lottery licenses, Wager said.
Development within 3 miles of the city limits was previously subject to both city and county jurisdiction, but the city relinquished its authority about five years ago. But, Wager said, that doesn’t mean there aren’t conversations between the city and county.
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More than one council member said it isn’t the city’s place to offer direction to the county.
Mayor Travis Schaunaman said that instead of a formal agreement, a conversation might be a better approach. Councilmen Alan Johnson and Rob Ronayne agreed.
Councilman Josh Rife said he hasn’t heard any issues about Gossman’s plans, but that the property isn’t in his district.
Councilwoman Erin Fouberg, however, said she has personal concerns about the proposed casino. They include the number of places where alcohol is sold and the number of casinos in general, she said.
“I’m thinking about the look and feel of the community. If casinos are what you see everywhere, why does that say about the community when you see a church and casino on every corner?” she said. “It would be really nice to have time to listen to constituents about this, but it’s not our jurisdiction.”
Two zoning-related ordinances pass first-reading
Two zoning-related ordnance amendments cleared first-reading by the city council. Both require final approval before going into effect.
One change would allow for administrative approval of certain variance requests. Community Development Director Ken Hubbart said the requests would be minor deviations from zoning regulations that currently require a hearing before the Board of Zoning Adjustment.
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For example, he said, some homeowners want to install, replace or repair the steps or deck on their home, but the home doesn’t meet the required zoning setbacks.
The amendment would also allow for administrative approval of variances needed for the construction of a twin home, which now require extra variances for construction on a lot line or construction on a smaller lot.
The second ordinance change addresses property owners who don’t follow stipulations placed on special exception and variance permits. With this change, those issues can be declared public nuisances.
The proposed change provides for a more effective process that can address property owner concerns, Wager said.
New housing study will be completed
A new housing study will be completed this summer. A $22,900 bid from Community Partners Research Inc. for the three-month task was approved by the council Monday.
In other action, the council:
- Approved a new on-off sale malt beverage license for Dollar General.
- Approved the transfer of a package off-sale liquor license to Street Corner and a retail on-sale liquor license to Plaza Rentals. This item was discussed briefly as Fouberg raised concerns about licenses being transferred to an address at which they might sit idle for a time. Councilwoman Tiffany Langer said she’s visited with the person receiving the licenses and there are plans to use both. Both Schaunaman and Ronayne abstained from voting, citing potential conflicts..
- Approved a bid from CDJ Electric Plumbing and Heating for $67,248 to install the water chiller at the Aberdeen Regional Airport later this year.
- Approved the purchase of a 2024 Honda Odyssey for Ride Line from Vern Eide for $43,542. Eighty percent of the cost is covered by state Department of Transportation funding.
- Approved a contract with Tim Reed for rodent and pigeon control services. It pays $25 per striped gopher, $50 per pocket gopher and $549 per month for pigeon control.
- Approved three bids from CWF Concrete and Masonry for summer concrete work. The bids were for $154,812 for street maintenance, $147,011 for concrete work and $136,319 for accessible sidewalk quadrant improvements.
- Approved a $703,952 bid from Dahme Construction Co. for mill and overlay improvements that will focus on South Main Street from Sixth Avenue Southeast south to 12th Avenue Southeast.