Richmond voters get to tip their hand on an enormous casino waterfront project in their community.

The City Council decided last night that residents can vote on the Pt. Molate casino, reports Richmond Confidential:

"The council voted 4-2 to place an “advisory” ballot measure on the November 2 statewide election ballot, asking Richmond residents whether or not they approve of a plan to build a proposed 4,000-slot Indian casino at Point Molate. An advisory measure does not carry any legal weight – rather, it serves as a public opinion poll of sorts."

Would-be casino developer Jim Levine implored the Council beforehand not to let voters have a say in a letter before the long approval process is further down the line, as the Bay Citizen reported yesterday.

But even Richmond politicians in favor the controversial casino cast their votes for the vote. And the Richmond Confidential reports that the developer had little support from the audience:

"Members of the crowd Tuesday voiced overwhelming support for the ballot measure, touting the need for community input in what has become a highly divisive issue in Richmond. John Salmon, a Napa-based executive with Upstream LLC, spoke out against the measure, but found little support from the crowd, several of whom held posters reading 'Let us vote.'"