Lawrence Co. racing track, casino plan moves along

Lawrence Co. racing track, casino plan moves along

NEW CASTLE — The Mahoning Township Planning Commission unanimously approved a plan for a complex that includes a mile-long harness racing track and a 273,000-square foot building with a casino.

The plan now moves to the township supervisors. They have the final vote on whether the township will accept the plan for Valley View Downs, submitted by developer Centaur Gaming Inc. of Indianapolis. Supervisors meet next April 8.

The planning commission, a recommending body only, approved the plan on 11 conditions at its meeting tonight.

Those conditions, outlined by Ron Rizzo of R.A.R., the township’s engineering firm, deal mostly with acquiring permits.

The township is responsible for one of the conditions — getting approval for a new sewage treatment plant in Edinburgh, Rizzo said. That plant will serve the racing complex and Mahoning Township, he added.

Centaur also must get a highway occupancy permit from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation before it opens, he said.

Other permits include wetlands remediation and sewer discharge permits from the state Department of Environmental Protection and the Lawrence County Conservation District.

For the complete story, see Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.