Vote on gaming complex invalidated

The DeKalb County Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to acknowledge that its vote approving a gaming resort was invalid.

The action came after the county attorney wrote that the commission acted improperly when it voted Dec. 16 to approve up to 425 gaming machines — by far the most in Georgia — at the entertainment complex called Panola Slope.

Opposition to Panola Slope quickly mounted last week when elected officials, from commissioners to Gov. Nathan Deal, realized that the gaming machines could have included video poker and video slots. Most forms of gambling are illegal in Georgia, but the resort intended to give prizes in the form of vouchers for items like steak dinners and lodging.

The development’s application will now be put back on the commission’s agenda as if the original vote never happened. Panola Slope can’t move forward as previously planned unless the commission gives its approval again.

The original vote wasn’t legitimate because state law governing DeKalb requires a commissioner from the area to participate in approvals. But no one from southeast DeKalb was able to vote.

At-large Commissioner Stan Watson, who is paid $500 a month as a consultant for developer APD Solutions, abstained from the vote. The area has lacked a district representative since July 2013, though the commission moved toward filling the seat Tuesday.