By Linda Stinnett

MULVANE – A group of area residents, a majority of whom live in the immediate area of the proposed Kansas Star Casino, have filed suit against the city of Mulvane.

The plaintiffs are asking the Sedgwick County District Court to overturn the city council’s decision which approved the zoning for the casino. The suit alleges the plaintiff’s property values will be diminished by the arbitrary decision of the council that allows a taller hotel, larger lighted signs and less screening and landscaping between the casino complex and the surrounding neighborhoods.

The council approved a Planned Unit Development which will overlay the city’s B-4 Interchange Business District. The PUD, according to the suit, will allow a hotel to be built as tall as 120 feet, over the 60-foot limitation of the original B-4 District; will allow illuminated ground and pylon signs as large as 5,000 square feet and exceeding the B-4’s 300 square foot limitation; and will allow screening and landscaping which is inadequate for the neighborhood.

The 54 residents who filed the suit do include some residents who live in the current city of Mulvane, including an unsuccessful write-in candidate for city council and a resident who previously was a party to a suit against the city in connection with the casino issue.

The Mulvane City Council met in executive session with its attorney on the issue Monday.

Kent Hixson, Mulvane city administrator, said the preparatory ground work for the casino has started and it is expected that the first concrete will be poured toward the end of the month on the building which will eventually become an events center. The city continues to work internally with the engineers and architects involved with the casino to coordinate services to the casino.