Video-lottery lounge zoning rejected by Fredericton committee

With an almost-packed public gallery looking on Wednesday, Fredericton's planning advisory committee voted against a zoning change that would allow a video-lottery lounge to operate in a building near the NB Liquor store on York Street.

Horse Racing New Brunswick needs the zoning change to allow a "drinking establishment" that would include video-lottery terminals and gambling on televised horse racing in the building at the corner of York and Aberdeen streets.

Fredericton's planning department had recommended the zoning change be approved in its report to the committee comprised of three councillors and six residents.

Roberta Nixon, the executive director of Horse Racing New Brunswick, said the planned establishment on Aberdeen Street would not be a betting-focused establishment.

• Video lottery lounge move opposed by some Fredericton residents

"It's not our foremost raison d'etre. It simply is a component," said Nixon.

Some residents of the area argued that gambling would be the primary focus of the bar.

Jean Philippe Ranger said any sort of bar would change the neighbourhood.

"In effect, we end up creating two bar districts in Fredericton," he said.

"It leaves a whole residential area sandwiched between the two."

Rejected by 4-1 vote

The York-Aberdeen area features a mix of older homes and new high-density condominium and apartment buildings.

Dozens of residents showed up at Wednesday's committee meeting and applauded when the request for a zoning change was voted down by a 4-1 margin.

"I feel very well-supported by the PAC, excited," said resident Charlene Roxborough, who helped organize a petition against the proposal.

"Residents have not had much time.

"They've done a lot of work trying to organize within a few days and it's wonderful that the planning advisory committee is supporting us to keep our neighbourhood safe and respect the character of that neighbourhood."

The planning committee's vote is not the final decision on the request for a zoning change. The request now goes before city council at its June 27 meeting.

Winner's Lounge dispute

The horse racing group currently operates Winner's Lounge on the Fredericton Exhibition Grounds which features 25 VLTs and off-track betting.

Nixon said previously the VLT machines that are owned by the Atlantic Lottery Corp. provide about $15,000 in revenue to the association in a "good" two-week period.

• Horse Racing N.B. business will be back to normal soon, exec says after lockout

However, Horse Racing New Brunswick has been involved in landlord-tenant dispute with Fredericton Exhibition Ltd. and its lease on the Winner's Lounge space expires at the end of the year.

Fredericton Exhibition Ltd. changed the locks at Winner's Lounge in May, saying Horse Racing New Brunswick had violated the terms of its lease.

However, the horse racing group obtained an injunction from the Court of Queen's Bench that allows them access to the premises until the lease expires at the end of 2016.