The DeKalb Commission on Tuesday effectively reversed its previous approval of what would have been Georgia’s largest gaming complex, a move that kills the project for now.
Commissioners voted 5-0 to acknowledge that its December authorization of the southeast DeKalb entertainment resort was invalid because no elected representative from the area participated in the decision, as required by the state law that governs the county.
The project, called Panola Slope, was envisioned as an around-the-clock attraction where adults could play games that are allowed under the Georgia Lottery, like video poker and video slots. Cash payouts are prohibited in Georgia, but the games would have given prizes in the form of vouchers for items like steak dinners and lodging in 2,700-square-foot villas.
Neither Panola Slope’s developer, Vaughn Irons of APD Solutions, nor a public relations consultant returned phone calls Tuesday seeking comment. Irons has previously said Panola Slope isn’t a casino and that only legal gaming would be permitted.
The commission’s decision to undo its go-ahead for the complex came after joint reporting by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Channel 2 Action News on the project, which would have included up to 425 gaming machines, by far the most in Georgia.
Gov. Nathan Deal last week voiced his opposition, and he declined to act on a request by Interim DeKalb CEO Lee May to appoint a temporary southeast DeKalb commissioner who would have been able to vote on the proposed resort.
The area has been without a representative on the board for more than a year and a half since Deal appointed May to the CEO position, replacing CEO Burrell Ellis as he faces criminal charges. Deal’s spokesman said the governor doesn’t believe he had the authority to name a temporary commissioner.
Opposition to Panola Slope also came from residents in the underdeveloped area who feared such a complex would have a detrimental effect on their neighborhoods.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that this will bring crime,” said Calvin Sims, speaking during the public comment portion of the commission’s Tuesday meeting. “You’re going to have prostitution. You’re going to have drugs and all types of decadence.”
Jocelyn O’Neil told commissioners she didn’t want a gaming resort so close to home.
“I like casinos too, but you know, in a residential neighborhood? Uh uh,” she said.
The DeKalb Commission acted in response to a legal opinion by the county attorney, O.V. Brantley, that said the 4-0 zoning vote on Dec. 16 for the project was improper without a representative from the area supporting it.
Super District Commissioner Stan Watson, who represents the eastern half of DeKalb, abstained because he’s paid $500 per month as a consultant for Irons, the project’s developer who is also the chairman of the DeKalb Development Authority.
“Why did we not get the proper advice regarding that vote?” asked Commissioner Nancy Jester during Tuesday’s meeting. “How did that not happen?”
The county attorney didn’t respond, but Commissioner Sharon Barnes Sutton said commissioners need to ask for legal advice if they have questions about their decisions. A spokesman for May’s administration, Burke Brennan, said county lawyers can give advice privately or publicly, depending on the circumstances.
Sutton agreed that the December vote should be discarded, and she called on her fellow commissioners to confirm a temporary representative for 140,000 residents in southeast DeKalb. She said she still supports Panola Slope.
“I don’t see where it leads to gambling, and there’s no information now that we didn’t have before,” Sutton said after the meeting. “I think it’s a great opportunity for economic development.”
But a re-vote on the project can’t occur until a commissioner from southeast DeKalb is in place, and it’s unclear if that will happen anytime soon.
The commission took a step Tuesday toward filling the job after a six-month stalemate over May’s nominee, George Turner, who is an active community member in southeast DeKalb. Several commissioners have objected to May nominating his own replacement, saying Turner may feel beholden to the CEO.
Commissioners voted 3-3 to reject Turner’s nomination, and May cast the deciding vote against Turner to break the deadlock. May then immediately nominated Kathryn Rice, the leader of a movement to form a city of Greenhaven in South DeKalb. The commission didn’t vote on Rice’s nomination, but could consider it as soon as Feb. 24.
If the commission also votes down Rice, it would then gain sole authority to select a representative for southeast DeKalb without May’s involvement, according to a state law passed last year.
“If this is the only process that we can take to end the stalemate, move forward and end this period of taxation without representation for District 5, then I am for it,” said Commissioner Larry Johnson.
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