A Wheeling attorney wants to open a new video gambling parlor on Mount de Chantal Road, but City Council members want to make sure the business will not be a nuisance to its neighbors.
During a Thursday meeting of council's development committee, Brian Ghaphery explained that he owns the building at 1029 Mount De Chantal Road that was formerly home to Western Southern Life Insurance.
''This is a prime location for this business,'' Ghaphery told members, noting he does not intend to sell alcoholic beverages at the proposed gambling establishment.
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Photo by Casey Junkins
Wheeling City Manager Robert Herron, left, and Councilman Eugene Fahey listen to a report during the Thursday meeting of the city’s development committee.
To offer video gambling, an establishment is required by law to hold a state Alcohol Beverage Control Commission license.
But city officials said the planned business would be located within 60 feet of a residence, 790 feet of Wheeling Jesuit University and 770 feet of Ruble Methodist Church - each of which would violate the 2005 city ordinance requiring video gambling parlors to be at least 1,000 feet away from homes, schools and churches.
''We passed that ordinance because we wanted to protect neighborhoods from being saturated with these kinds of places,'' Councilman Vernon Seals noted.
City Planning Administrator Tom Connelly told council members that allowing Ghaphery to open the video gambling parlor on Mount de Chantal Road would lead to a myriad of new applications for similar establishments.
Mayor Andy McKenzie, who is also a West Virginia state senator, and Councilwoman Gloria Delbrugge do not seem eager to expand video gambling parlors in the city.
''The single largest complaint I have had from residents as a state legislator is the proliferation of these parlors into residential areas. I am not interested in expanding any more of these machines,'' he said.
Delbrugge also is not a fan of the parlors.
''You have a big casino on (Wheeling) Island - if you want to gamble, go there,'' she said.
After some additional discussion, members agreed to table Ghaphery's request until a future meeting.
''We need to get more information and feedback from residents before making a decision on this,'' McKenzie said.
In another matter, members accepted a donation of property at 2710 Eoff St. from owner Tim Dofka.
''We will tear it down as soon as possible,'' City Manager Robert Herron said of the house, noting city building inspectors previously ordered Dofka to demolish the building.
The structure currently is on the city's federal Community Development Block Grant fund demolition list.