County executive signs zoning measure needed for Maryland’s largest slots proposal
By APTuesday, December 22, 2009
Measure allowing slot machines at Md. mall signed
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A county executive has paved the way for Maryland’s largest slot machine facility by signing zoning legislation.
Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold on Tuesday signed the measure needed to move ahead with a Cordish Co. venture to put 4,750 slot machines at Arundel Mills Mall. The zoning bill was approved by the county council Monday night.
The council, which had delayed a vote for months on the hotly debated local issue, also approved a measure allowing slot machines at Laurel Park, a horse racing track. But Leopold vetoed that bill.
Leopold says he based his decision on statewide voter support for a constitutional amendment to legalize slot machines last year. Sixty percent of voters supported it.
Opponents to the mall site say they will try to halt the project in a county referendum.
