St. Gabriel shoots down truck stop/casino plan

St. Gabriel Mayor George Grace and the city’s five councilmen voted last night (Thursday, April 15) to allow a zoning ordinance to remain for the area of land between the Bayou Paul Lane and La. 30 intersection and the East Baton Rouge Parish/Iberville Parish line on La. 30.

That quashed any hopes of a trio of potential truck stop/casino developers/owners of building in that area of the city, much less gaining a gaming license all three had petitioned for from the council.

The city councilmen’s vote to maintain a residential zoning ordinance made several homeowners in that area of the city quite happy because it lessened the potential of traffic and crime problems and allowed private property values to remain stable.

Meanwhile, representatives of the three potential truck stop/casino developers (Reliable Amusements, Tall Timbers, and Highway 30 Holdings) left the meeting immediately after the vote was cast. Prior to the vote, Mayor Grace recommended to the council to keep the zoning ordinance.

By voting to keep the ordinance the City of St. Gabriel will lose potential revenues and possible construction and/or full time employment opportunities. However, a number of local citizens attended a previous public meeting at City Hall and many were opposed to the development of a truck stop/casino in the suggested location along La. 30.