By Gene Robbins, Managing Editor
Staff from the N.J. Racing Commission were in Hillsborough on Tuesday to check out the site of the July 22 public hearing on an application for what would become the sixth off-track horse racing wagering site in New Jersey.
Frank Zanzuccki, executive director of the commission, said he and others visited Hillsborough High School, where the required public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. for an off-track wagering facility proposed for a former restaurant on Route 206 just south of Brown Avenue in the northern part of the township.
This is the chance for the public to learn about the proposed operation, ask questions about the parking and traffic, and comment on suitability. The Racing Commission will conduct the hearing. A quorum of the nine members will be present, along with staff members, Mr. Zanzuccki said.
The commission has three decisions to make, according to the legal notice. The body must determine if it will issue a license to the N.J. Sports and Exposition Authority, from where all licenses emanate. If the answer is yes, the commission will consider the transfer of the license to the N.J. Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, Inc. The association would then seek approval to lease the operation to Darby Development.
A 2011 state law allows off-track wagering operations in any commercial or industrially zoned site in the state, subject to the approval of the Racing Commission and the state Attorney General.
Darby unveiled its proposal in March 2014. Darby spent money to refurbish the former Maestro’s restaurant and install equipment, but the facility has sat vacant for many months. In the 16 months since, the Racing Commission and Darby and the Horsemen’s Association have gone back and forth for additional information, Mr. Zanzuccki said.
He said it was not uncommon to have such a long investigative period to ensure the commission has all the facts and understands the intentions of the applicant.
As described by Darby, the OTW would be called “Favorites at Hillsborough Township” and have separate restaurant and wagering areas. There would be simulcasts of standardbred and thoroughbred horse racing from around the country most days of the year.
Mr. Zanzuccki said the applicants will have the burden of presenting all information concerning the OTW facility required by the governing statutes and regulations. This information will include such things as:
— The physical plan;
— Hours of operation;
— Number of jobs expected to be created;
— Comfort and safety for patrons;
— Dining facilities;
– Qualifications of the applicants;
— Internal control procedures;
— Security and surveillance equipment in public and non-public areas;
— The integrity of wagering and the proceeds from wagering;
Sufficient and convenient parking to accommodate patrons, and to promote the efficient ingress and egress.
Following the presentation, the public can express opinions and pose questions to the applicants which, “to the extent possible, will be answered by the applicants following the general public presentation,” Mr. Zanzuccki said in an email.
The applicants will have an opportunity to add closing remarks.
Mr. Zanzuccki said “hypothetically” the application could rise or fall on planning considerations, such as parking, traffic and disruption of normal activity in the area. But the statute describes “broad standards” for the commission to consider, he said, with public safety being one of them.
Written comments may be filed afterwards with the Racing Commission, but they must be received on or before July 29 by surface mail, overnight mail, email or facsimile.
Once the record is closed, the commission must make a determination no sooner than 30 days or longer than 60 days following the closing of the record. That would put a decision into September or October. The commission has a normal meeting scheduled for Sept. 16 at Monmouth Park, Mr. Zanzuccki said.
The Racing Commission is composed of nine individuals appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The day-to-day operations of the Racing Commission are the responsibility of Mr. Zanzuccki and his staff.
The commission is responsible for regulating the safety and integrity of the horse racing industry. The commission has the authority to regulate racing at the state’s three tracks.
The commission also has jurisdiction over simulcasting of horse racing activities at these racetracks, as well as casino simulcasting facilities, the account wagering system and off-track wagering facilities are in Bayonne, Woodbridge, Toms River, Vineland and Gloucester.
