Tulsa strip club zoning concerns

Monday, January 12th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Controversy over a strip club opening in Tulsa. Residents and business managers near where the club Tabu is being built say it has no business near their family-friendly environment.

Construction is underway on the northeast corner of 51st and Harvard. News on 6 reporter Patrina Adger says the doors to the Tabu gentleman's club will open in about two months to the dislike of many in this area.

The club falls does within the zoning regulations, 500 yards away from schools and churches. But the club has to pass a final inspection to get their occupancy permit. And one woman hopes they fail miserably.

"We have two churches, a junior high school and elementary school, so it's gonna to be affecting a lot of people." Dawn Young lives in a neighborhood near 51st & Harvard. The same area where her children go to school and her family goes to church is where the new gentleman's club, Tabu, is set to open.

And Young is not happy about the crowd she believes the topless bar will attract. "This establishment will be bringing in crime, drugs and petty theft not to pertain whoever decides to come."

She says the intersection is packed with family-friendly businesses. She's upset about the affect the adult club will have on the children who walk through the shopping center and its impact on businesses like Bodean's Restaurant which have been fixtures here for decades. "When they first started working on the property, we were told it was going to be a bar, a little 40 seat bar."

Restaurant Manager John Burge says he's not thrilled about his new neighbors, but his hands are tied. "I just feel like the zoning laws should be changed. Unfortunately it won't help us out."

Todd Hill, the club's manager declined to talk on camera, but says his club falls within the zoning guidelines. The club is set up at least 500 yards away from schools and churches.

Young knows there's nothing she can do about Tabu, but she hopes to drum up enough support to stop adult businesses like this from popping up all over town.