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Review process for Foxwoods casino is outlined

The city outlined its planned review process for the Foxwoods casino proposed for the Gallery at Market East yesterday, which includes yet-to-be-scheduled community meetings in Chinatown and Washington Square West.

The city outlined its planned review process for the Foxwoods casino proposed for the Gallery at Market East yesterday, which includes yet-to-be-scheduled community meetings in Chinatown and Washington Square West.

In addition to the City Planning Commission - which ultimately will approve or reject the Foxwoods plan - the casino design will be vetted by an interagency group including the city's Commerce and Law Departments, the Mayor's Office of Transportation and Utilities, and the Redevelopment Authority.

Foxwoods will be required to submit interior and exterior drawings of the proposed casino, renderings of its appearance from Market Street, construction phasing plans, transportation and parking management plans, landscaping improvements and a building timeline.

Though the final development plan is not expected to be finished for several months, Planning Commission Executive Director Alan Greenberger said the review process would begin well before then.

"As they get to the point where they have some understandable plans, we'll put it out and do the public meetings, show people how this thing is evolving," Greenberger said.

Foxwoods has not yet submitted any plans to the city, Greenberger said.

The development plans and traffic and transit concerns also will be addressed at community meetings, Greenberger said.

The social impact of the casino - on gambling addiction and crime, for instance - will also be part of the review, he said.

If the Foxwoods plan is approved by the Planning Commission, it moves to City Council and Mayor Nutter for final review and approval.

Contact staff writer Patrick Kerkstra at 215-854-2827 or pkerkstra@phillynews.com.