Rendell wanted the commission to include this application in a pool of others and not approve any applications until his bill to allow slot machines at racetracks passes. Just one more harness racing license will be granted by the state, which, according to statute, limits the state total to five. Four applicants are pursuing the fifth remaining license.

In a two-to-one vote, the three-panel commission held a special meeting and approved the Chester Downs application. Under the terms of the commission's approval, the Delaware County project must be completed within three years. The developer plans to have the track up and running by next summer.

Initial plans call for a marina, two restaurants, a 2,000-seat amphitheater, and a 45,000-sf simulcast betting center in addition to the 5/8-mile harness racing track. It can accommodate slot machines, if they become legal at racetracks. The projected construction cost of Chester Downs is $20 million.