Zoning approved for casino development in London's south end

London is one step closer to getting a new casino in the city's south end.

City council votedto rezone the land on Wonderland Road Southwhere Gateway Casinos and Entertainment plans to build a $75-million entertainment complexcalled the Starlight Casino.

The decision was made after a lengthyand sometimes passionatediscussion Tuesday night.

Mayor Ed Holder emphasized the economic benefits the new development is expected to bring to the city.

"What's at stake? $75 millionof construction, with the construction jobs associated with it. That's hundreds of jobs," Holder said.

"Moving from 300 jobs to 1,000 jobs. That's 700 new jobs in London. Then there's the indirect jobs that are impacted by this."

Holder addedthat the city will also take in millions in taxes and gaming revenue.

The decision passed with nine councillors in favour of rezoning, includingMichael Van Holst, ShawnLewis, JesseHelmer, Phil Squire, Josh Morgan, SteveLehman, Steve Hillier and Holder.

Four councillors Mo Salih, Anna Hopkins, Stephen Turner and Elizabeth Peloza voted against rezoning.

First Nations consultations

One of the major issues during the discussion was whethermore community consultation was needed, specifically with neighbouring First Nations.

In the end, councildirected city staff to consult with First Nations as the site planning process gets underway.

Oneida Chief Jessica Hill was in the gallery during the meeting and while she was happy to learn her community will be consulted, she is disappointed their relationship with the citywasn't considered in the first place.

Hill took issue with a comment fromHolder, who said during the meeting that consulting with First Nations was the responsibility ofOntario Lottery and Gaming.

"One of the things that we heard the mayor say was that it was inappropriate and unnecessary to consult with us. That was one of the disheartening things that I heard from the city," Hill told reporters.

Hill said her community is always concerned with issues around rezoning and planning, particularly when it comes to urban growth and expansion and the environment.

"When you think of development, we have to look at the big picture and not just at the money, which is what the city of London has just done," she said.

Getting shovels in the ground

Aside fromthe direction to consult with First Nations, there will no longer be any direct input from the public or from city council on the site plan.That process will be handled by city staff and Gatewaybefore going to the provincial planning authority for final approval.

"We'll need to take direction from the city officials, but I think we could be having shovels in the ground perhaps as early as September," said Rob Mitchell, the director of communications for Gateway Casinos and Entertainment.

Mitchell said there are still questions about what kind of impact consulting with Indigenous communities will have on the site plan.

"I can't discuss the hypothetical at this point," he said."We'll take our lead from city staff and we'll see what comes from their consultations and how they wish to engage with us, and we'll more forward that way."

Gateway expects the Starlight Casino will open in June 2021. In the meantime, the current casino at the Western Fair District will remain open during construction.