Gentleman's club owner fights city over his right to open up new business

ANGOLA, Ind. (WANE) - An administrative appeal hearing was held Tuesday on the appeal of a sexual oriented business by the city of Angola.

The appeal by Alva Butler and his company started at 1:30 p.m. in the Angola Common Council Chambers in City Hall.  Butler owns Showgirl III in Fort Wayne.  According to city code, the meeting could last up to two days.  The hearing officer then has five days to make a ruling.

Butler bought the former Slider's Bar and Grill building and made his intentions to open a strip club known to the city of Angola on August 15, 2012.  NewsChannel 15 first told you about it in August .  In November, the city denied Butler the permit to open up the business.  The building is within 750 feet of a residential structure.  There are two within 750 feet of the old Slider's building.  Zoning changes were also made.

The hearing officer could overturn the Building Commissioner's decision.

The city made its case first and rested around 2:50 p.m. after calling one witness, the Angola Building Commissioner, Dean Twitchell.  He said the old Slider's building is within 750 feet of five residential homes.

Ava Butler and his attorney called a civil engineer/surveyor to testify first. Butler was called up as a second witness.  He admitted that he wasn’t sure if dancers have been physical in the past with customers.  Butler claims he’s not supervising things at the gentleman's club all the time.  Butler decided not to talk with us after the hearing Tuesday.

The hearing wrapped up Tuesday night around 5 p.m.  The attorney who will rule on the case has five days to make a decision.