Planning Commission approves proposal for casino's expansion

A previously approved expansion for Mugshots casino on Boulder Highway is going to be even bigger now, increasing the size of the existing casino 2 1/2 times.

The Henderson Planning Commission, which in January approved an expansion that would allow the casino to go from 4,600 square feet to 9,800, unanimously approved an amendment Sept. 25 that will allow the casino to expand to 11,300 feet. Mugshots is on the southeast corner of Boulder Highway and King Street.

The change also moves the entrance off the Boulder Highway side of the building, which frees up the Boulder Highway frontage for landscaping and design.

Mugshots representatives said they still plan to go through with their approved plan to increase the number of gaming machines from 50 to 199 and table games from zero to five, but they are changing the configuration of the expansion.

The casino owners are purchasing a closed motel on their south side to make way for the expansion.

The previous approval allowed for 4,100 square feet of gaming, but the owners requested to decrease that space to 2,800 square feet. By fitting the same number of games on a smaller space and devoting more space to the planned restaurant, the building will require fewer parking spaces. City code requires one space for every 30 square feet of gaming space, but only one space for every 100 square feet of restaurant space.

Henderson Community Development Department staff recommended approval of the amendment but cautioned that any future expansion of the casino would violate the city's development code, "putting the casino's license in jeopardy."

Overall, staff members approved of the changes.

"This proposal represents significant investment in the Boulder Highway Corridor, which is a goal of the city," the report said. "The investment made in upgrading the building, landscaping and business itself will help encourage future investment in the area"

Jeremy Twitchell can be reached at 990-8928 or [email protected].