Examiner Denies Variance For Club

Thu., May 25, 1995

From Staff And Wire Reports

The city hearing examiner has denied a variance request to a man seeking to open a north Spokane club for adult entertainment and topless dancing.

Timothy Cameron wanted permission from the city to open the club at 6262 N. Lidgerwood St., now home to Moose Lodge No. 161. But the property is not at least 750 feet from a residential zone as the city code governing adult entertainment uses mandates.

Although Hearing Examiner Greg Smith said there may be sound reasons to adjust the distance requirement, he has no authority to do so. That must be handled by the city Plan Commission and the City Council.

“If the hearing examiner granted a variance it would be precedent setting and would defeat the purposes set forth by the City Council in enacting the ordinance. It would amount to legislative action by the Hearing Examiner,” he wrote in the decision.

Brian Butler, an attorney for Cameron, said he is unsure if an appeal would be filed to Superior Court as he had not yet consulted with his client.

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