Feb 7, 2008 12:18 pm US/Eastern
Strip Club Controversy Brewing In Bucks County
MILFORD, Pa. (CBS 3) ―
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Coyotes Show Club is drawing protest from residents in Milford, Bucks County.
CBS
A strip club controversy is brewing in a small Bucks County town. Neighbors are protesting the club that government officials said is operating illegally.
The club, which is located on John Fries Highway in Milford, was the topic of a meeting Wednesday evening.
The owners of the club, Barnett Food Group, went before the board of township supervisors to request a permit to operate an adult entertainment center where dancers can perform topless.
Instead of applying to township supervisors for licensing first, the owners went right to federal court.
"They're more expeditious and they can get a decision sooner, number two, the federal courts, for the most part seem to protect constitutional rights more vigorously than any of the local courts," Coyotes attorney Glenn McGogney said.
When the Coyotes Show Club opened in December, many residents had no idea what it was and they joined the meeting Wednesday evening.
"At the very least, we want ordinances to be in place to curb any type of activity that could lead to sexual deviancy," protestor Mark Hauck said.
The township claims the business is illegal because the owner applied for a permit to operate a restaurant, not a strip club.
The Club, which is along Route 663 off the Quakertown exit of the Northeast Extension, is in a commercial zoning district where adult entertainment clubs are allowed but requires township approval.
Lawyers for the club had filed a lawsuit against the township to keep them from shutting the club down. In an effort by both sides to avoid extensive legal bills, they agreed to Wednesday evening's hearing.
"This is in a planned commercial district, so this is the sole place in this township where adult usage can be run," McGogney said.
McGogney does not understand the concern surrounding the club.
"In this day and age when you can walk across the parking lot to the motel next door and for $10 or $12 rent a XXX movie, I don't understand what all the fuss is about some lady removing her clothes in a private area," McGogney said.
The owners of the club will hold off on their lawsuit for now, giving the town until late March to make a ruling.
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