Under a proposed zoning ordinance revision in Cumberland Township, gaming facilities would be permitted in the municipality’s mixed-use district.
The township also unveiled legislation Tuesday night that would tax mechanical devices — like slots machines — $100 each on an annual basis.
Gettysburg businessman David LeVan and former state lawmaker Joseph Lashinger are applying for the state’s lone remaining casino license, to transform the Eisenhower Inn and All-Star Sports Complex into an exclusive slots resort: Mason Dixon Resort & Casino.
“We have to allow gaming somewhere in the township,” Board of Supervisors Chairman David P. Waybright said following a 40-minute meeting Tuesday night. “The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has determined that gaming is an allowable activity,” added Waybright.
LeVan and attorney Bernard A. Yannetti Jr. attended the meeting, but did not speak.
The Eisenhower Inn is located along Business 15 in Cumberland Township, two miles from the Maryland border, atop land that is zoned for mixed-use commercial development.
According to the proposed zoning change, a gaming facility would be allowable only in the township’s mixed-use district. A casino is currently not an allowable land-use within Cumberland Township, but state law must include language for every type of development.
Waybright explained that Mason Dixon Resort “requested the zoning change” within the past month. No project plans have been submitted.
Supervisors voted unanimously to advertise the zoning revisions, and scheduled a meeting March 2 to render a final decision. The meeting is being held at 7 p.m.
Also, the five-person board voted to advertise its proposed mechanical device ordinance, for adoption at its regularly scheduled Feb. 23 session.
“The township has been working on an ordinance concerning the mechanical device fees,” said Chairman Waybright. “I think we are ready to advertise this ordinance for adoption.”
If adopted, a levy would be imposed coin-operated machines of amusement, and the tax would be collected on a yearly basis. The tax rate is set as a percentage of the price to activate the machine, such as jukeboxes, pinball and video games, and pool tables.
“A lot of townships have it, but we don’t,” said new Supervisor Randy Phiel.
Board Vice Chairwoman Barbara Underwood explained that township administration will enforce the ordinance — opposed to police. The township lacks an ordinance allowing it to collect the tax, unlike the Borough of Gettysburg, which has an ordinance in place, but does not enforce it.
Slot machines fit the definition of a mechanical device, and each of the proposed 600 machines at the Mason Dixon Resort & Casino would be subject to the tax, adding $60,000 to the township’s coffers.
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