Don Barden has delayed a hearing before the city planning commission on lighting, landscaping and other amenities related to his North Shore casino because of last week's appeal by the Riverlife Task Force over the size of the casino's garage.

Ed Fasulo, general manager of the Majestic Star casino, said yesterday it didn't make sense to move forward on Tuesday with a hearing and vote on site amenities with the appeal pending.

Riverlife filed an appeal with the state Supreme Court last week challenging last month's planning commission approval of the casino design, which includes a 3,800-space parking garage.

Mr. Fasulo said the delay in the hearing and vote on site amenities should not affect the timetable for the casino's opening, scheduled for May 1, 2009. Construction is continuing at the site despite last week's appeal.