A public hearing on a downtown Vancouver casino proposal scheduled for this evening (February 17) has been postponed until Monday (February 21) at 7:30 p.m.

According to City of Vancouver spokesperson Wendy Stewart, the decision was made late Wednesday (February 16) given that the casino application was the sixth item on the agenda for tonight’s hearing, and over 30 people were scheduled to speak to the first five items.

“It became apparent that with the number of people requesting to speak to the earlier items on the agenda, it would be potentially a very late evening before council could begin to hear speakers for the casino,” Stewart told the Straight by phone today.

More than 80 people have so far signed up to speak to the proposal to build a 680,000-square-foot casino and hotel complex next to B.C. Place. Stewart said the hearing will likely extend beyond Monday evening.

Vancouver, Not Vegas, a coalition of groups opposed to the proposal, has indicated they plan to have “significant attendance” at the public hearing.

The other items on the agenda for tonight’s public hearing include an amendment to the False Creek North Official Development Plan and rezoning applications to permit the development of two residential towers at 10 Terry Fox Way.

City council referred the six items to public hearing on January 18.