Arguments regarding long term local government economic development benefit are certainly not borne out by reviewing conditions, before and after casinos were developed in Atlantic City and cities within the Los Angeles metropolitan area, such as Gardena. Another developer argument being voiced is that the Outlet Center is in an area already approved for intense development and traffic generation permissive of an Indian casino. The demands to our Police Department and the transportation system will be much more intense for the casino. In fact, casinos are not even mentioned in the City of Oxnard General Plan. The traffic generated in Santa Ynez, Palm Springs and San Diego is taxing their systems way beyond their capacity, according to testimony at the California Gaming Control Commission on April 16th.
Data abounds on the effects of gambling on the justice system throughout the country.
The Outlet Center is in the general vicinity of the historic Santa Clara chapel, still used daily, two preschools and adjacent to the Northeast Community Specific plan that is home to St. John's Hospital, elementary schools, a middle school and a new high school, due to open in September. This specific plan area is destined to be the densest residential neighborhood in our city. The desires of future neighbors should be seriously considered when citing gambling operations. Neighboring residents are the ones most affected by any negative impacts of this type of development. They, in conjunction with their Las Vegas partners would operate a Las Vegas type gambling operation within the city without the oversight that has evolved in Nevada.