Local casino deal near?

<p>Sonoma County supervisors are on the verge of an historic agreement with River Rock Casino that would funnel $75 million in revenue from the Indian casino to the county over the next 12 years, according to a proposal.</p><p>The proposal will be publicly debated by county supervisors Tuesday, but the county’s dispute with River Rock Casino over emergency access, land use and alcohol licensing has been discussed in closed sessions for several months.</p><p>The proposed agreement comes just as the Dry Creek Rancheria’s Band of Pomo Indians is poised to start development of a $300 million, luxury resort hotel and gambling hall. The resort, designed to replace the existing tent structure in the Alexander Valley hills, would have 255 guest rooms, fine dining, meeting rooms, a wedding chapel and luxury spa.</p><p>The deal with county officials, who had been adamant in their opposition to the scope of the River Rock development, could have ramifications for Graton tribe’s proposed casino near Rohnert Park, which county officials also have opposed.</p><p>Highlights of the proposal involving River Rock Casino include:</p><p>--The tribe pays the county $75 million in mitigation fees over 12 years to compensate for effects on public services.</p><p>--The tribe pays the county $25 million in bed tax fees.</p><p>--The tribe agrees not to expand the casino to nearby 18 acres known as the Duggan property.</p><p>--The tribe agrees for eight years not to develop a casino on its 277-acre site on Petaluma’s south side and agrees to put 90 acres of it into a conservation easement.</p><p>--The county agrees to drop all existing legal challenges to the casino.</p><p>--The casino agrees to limitation on alcohol sales during certain hours and under certain conditions.</p>