Pennsylvania Strip Club Appeal Denied

An area judge has denied the appeal of a proposed bring-your-own-bottle, nude dance club. The judge’s brief order did not include an explanation for the denial.

An attorney representing the club at the hearing, Paul A. Pugliese, said the township zoning law allows adult entertainment as a permissible use in an industrial zone, which is what the owners intended.

Ingot Real Estate Co., the builders of the prospective club, formed in August 2005 by Anthony Ryba and Joseph Marino, wanted to build a 15,000-square-foot club on four acres in the industrial zone.

“I’m really thrilled on behalf of the residents,” township Supervisor Anthony Attardo, told the Scranton Times-Tribune, after the appeal was denied.

He said the club would have decreased property values and increased problems for police.

“The clientele that brings in, it’s not good for the community,” Attardo said.

The report went on to say that some residents expressed concern about heavy truck traffic from the nearby Pilot Travel Center and an area truck stop. Marino said the owners were considering a shuttle service from the truck stops.

Ingot attorney Charles A. Shaffer told the Times-Tribune that developers would appeal to a higher court because, “we think we’re right.”