In another dramatic twist in the saga to bring slot machines to Anne Arundel, the county council decided late Monday night to postpone a decision on zoning again. They cited the absence of three members, including Tricia Johnson who was in the emergency room suffering from heart problems. The focus now shifts to who will replace Josh Cohen on the council; he has been sworn in as Annapolis mayor. The new member, to be chosen before the next slots meeting, could cast the deciding vote.

Arundel delays slots decision
Md. grants license but County Council vote is delayed

State officials have granted a long-awaited license for a proposed 4,750-machine slots casino at Arundel Mills mall, but Maryland's premier gambling project still needs local approval that was delayed again on Monday.

The Anne Arundel County Council deferred a decision on a critical step for the initiative - zoning approval - just hours after it cleared an important hurdle. After impassioned testimony Monday night, the council chose unanimously to postpone voting on zoning measures because one member was absent with heart palpitations, another recused himself and a third resigned for a new position.

Baltimore-based Cordish Cos. needs both the state license and county authorization for what's expected to be the most lucrative slots site in Maryland.

Arundel officials have debated zoning changes for more than nine months, and have been under increasing pressure from state leaders, business interests and county residents to reach a decision. A crowd of hundreds that packed the Council Chamber groaned when lawmakers settled on a postponement.

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