Stripping is about to become legal at a controversial Milford Township
nightclub.
But it's not exactly the kind of stripteasing the club's
owners had in mind.
Township supervisors suggested Tuesday night that
they'll allow Coyotes Show Club to stay in business on Route 663 as long as it
abides by a state law that would prohibit entertainers from dancing
naked.
The club's attorney promised to take the township to court if
dancers aren't allowed to take off all of their clothes during performances.
That may set up a challenge to the state's law, which requires dancers to
maintain at least a G-string and pasties.
''If they [impose those
restrictions], we'll file a federal action against the township,'' said attorney
Glenn McGogney, who represents Barnett Food Group, the club's
operator.
Supervisors, who are trying to decide whether to issue a permit
that would allow Coyotes to offer striptease performances, said they'll put the
matter to a final vote at a meeting on Tuesday.
It's an issue that's
caused an uproar in Milford and beyond since Coyotes opened without a permit in
December.
Supervisors said they've received letters suggesting they are
taking bribes from the club.
Meanwhile, McGogney said at least 50 people
in his Upper Macungie
Township neighborhood have received letters in their mailboxes with pornographic
images and various claims about McGogney and the club.
McGogney, who is
one of six shareholders in the company that owns the 1907 John Fries Highway
property where the club is located, said he's contacted law enforcement agencies
about the mailings and said they ''will no longer be
tolerated.''
Supervisors Tuesday night outlined 33 conditions under which
it would grant the permit Coyotes is seeking. The club already has received a
permit to operate a restaurant, but opened in December as a strip club without
applying for an adult entertainment permit. Prior to opening, Barnett filed
civil rights lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Federal Court, alleging the
township is violating its constitutional right to offer nude
dancing.
Barnett has since put that suit on hold as part of an agreement
with the township that required the company to apply for a permit and the
township to make a speedy decision.
The township would require Coyotes to
abide by the state's ''bottle club'' law, which applies to BYOB clubs and
prohibits ''lewd, immoral or improper entertainment.'' Coyotes does not have
license to serve liquor.
Patrick Trueman, Virginia attorney representing
local churches, a township couple and King's Men -- described as a nonprofit
men's ministry in southeastern Pennsylvania
-- said the law requires dancers to wear at least pasties and
G-strings.
McGogney says the law is unconstitutional.
patrick.lester@mcall.com
215-529-2612