Despite some public opposition, the Edwardsville City Council has acknowledged that it cannot block a strip club from being built in the city. This comes after an approval on Monday to tighten regulations on adult establishments in the area.
During the approval meeting council members heard from 20 concerned citizens, but reiterated that it had no ability to stop the new club, owned by WTS Restaurant Group, from moving into the city.
“There should be no debate about the negative effects of these types of businesses,” James Jenkins, an attorney representing the Alliance Defense Fund, a group that is providing the city with free legal counsel on the matter, told the Kansas City Kansan. “However, a city can’t simply say no to an adult-themed business.”
Councilman John Broman told the report that he agreed with Jenkins’ assessment of the issue, adding that, “the previous regulations weren’t tough enough,” and “hopefully, this amendment will be enough of a deterrent that they won’t be interested.”
Richard Bryant, an attorney representing WTS Restaurant Group, told the Kansas City Kansan in Oct. that the club, “is not near any churches, day care centers or schools.”
WTS and Bryant threatened a lawsuit challenging the adult-entertainment code of Edwardsville in Oct., though the city hasn’t received notification of any lawsuit thus far.
Edwardsville Mayor Stephanie Eickhoff told the report that he believes that the passage of Monday’s amendment imposing tougher restrictions on operations will eventually land the issue in court.
“This will probably be a several-year battle in the courts,” said Eickhoff.
