Hastings casino proposal gets OK from Planning Commission

HASTINGS, NE — The second trip to the planning commission yielded better results for the group behind a proposed horse track and casino in north Hastings.

The commission voted to recommend two measures related to the proposal, one on a 7-2 vote and one on an 8-1 vote. Hastings Prairie Thunder LLC is the group behind the casino effort. Seven months ago, the city council shut down Prairie Thunder's previous proposal on a 4-4 vote after the planning commission voted 4-3 not to recommend it.

Changes to the proposal include dropping the land that needs rezoned from 50 to 38 acres and moving the race track and casino to the middle of the property. Legal Counsel Brian Jorde talked to our news partners KSNB Local 4.

“The overall property is about 155 acres so there is going to be opportunities to work with local developers to develop whatever the economy and city need outside of just the casino and racetrack and we are looking forward to new commercial and residential ventures," Jorde said.

Some locals, like Richard French, continue to oppose the casino.

“I am all in favor of property tax relief, but I am afraid that the dollars going through this casino and out of town will take away from our businesses, our local restaurants, our hotels, our church our college, our charities, our foundations, and that we will bring in more crime," French said to KSNB Local 4.

Now, the rezoning and conditional use permits will head to the city council for consideration.