Biloxi Planning Commission approved plans for a mixed-use development on US 90 and Veterans Avenue that will include a casino north of US 90.  The vote was 8-2-1 for this project and the IP Casino got approval to rezone land it owns south of the current hotel to allow an onshore casino.

 Both projects now go to Biloxi City Council and if approved, the Mississippi Gaming Commission will determine whether both are legal casino sites.  This proposal for a casino north of US 90 had only two in the audience that spoke against RW's project.  Last year the residents of Biloxi were very opposed to the Tivoli Casino project, which was also north of US 90 in East Biloxi.  The difference between the two was Tivoli didf not have a commercial area on the south side of the highway and Gold Coast does.  Also the possible introduction of gaming in Alabama and Florida has created an economic condition that the residents fear may hinder businesses from building back on the beach.  With this new development, the residents are more supportive of projects such as the Gold Coast.  There has also been discussion about the Coast becoming a Tier 1 destination, but would require an increase in hotel rooms.

One concer expressed by the commissioners was the developer's plans to cut down 122 trees, nearly half of them large oaks, but RW Development sid they would work with the city to move and preserve some of the trees.