Somerville files new claim against Wynn’s Everett casino

In a claim filed Thursday, Curtatone and city attorneys challenged the legal validity of a separate environmental permit granted for the casino, citing state regulations that restrict the type of permitted waterfront developments.

Somerville’s mayor, Joseph Curtatone has been an unwavering opponent of Wynn Resorts’ planned 24-floors casino and hotel complex on the banks of the Mystic River, a short distance from Somerville.

Somerville sued the state’s gaming commission over its decision to award a casino license to Wynn and later asked a judge to overturn a key environmental approval from the Baker administration.

“We are fighting to address the serious and real consequences this casino will have on the people of Somerville,” Curtatone said. “The public is not being protected from the adverse impacts of this project.”

In the claim, Curtatone added the casino project is too large and would draw too much traffic into the waterfront area to qualify for the environmental permit. “The height and the massing of the project is extraordinary, if not unprecedented,” the lawsuit states.

He also contends that the exhaust from thousands of automobiles headed to the casino each day would harm the health of residents who live nearby.

The claim was filed with the state’s Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, which granted the permit last month. The city demanded an administrative hearing to challenge the decision.

A spokesman for the environmental affairs office said in a statement that the agency will review the appeal and “bring the parties together to adjudicate the issues raised.”

Like Curtatone, Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh attempted to block the Wynn casino on environmental grounds, but last month Walsh came to an agreement with Wynn to drop further legal challenges. Somerville has maintained its opposition, a stance Wynn Resorts described as personally motivated.

In reponse to this Wynn denounced the city’s legal challenge as a “selfish, blatant attempt” by Curtatone, to politicize the casino issue for his own benefit. “We find it necessary to call out this selfish politician, when so many jobs and real benefits are at risk,” the company stated.