Nov 15, 2007 10:58 pm US/Central
Swing Club Offers Compromise To City Officials
DUNCANVILLE (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
The City of Duncanville is stepping up its fight against a private swingers club.
Attorney Robert Hager represents the city and said warnings will be issued Friday night, followed by citations Saturday night.
Duncanville said it has three major problems with the club known as The Cherry Pit. Those issues include the size of the parties, the fact that the parties are advertised on a website and that guests are asked to make donations.
In the face of some stiff fines, the Cherry Pit is now offering a compromise.
Attorney Edward Klein represents the Cherry Pit and said the club will revamp its website, which may include the removal of the phrase "suggested donations."
"Our position is that we want to work with the City of Duncanville to try to resolve this," said Klein. "We want to be good neighbors."
Klein also said the club will consider reducing the number of guests who attend the parties. The Cherry Pit is also holding off on filing a lawsuit.
The owners of the Duncanville house said their lifestyle parties are none of the city's business.
But the city argues the Cherry Pit is a business and therefore is violating three ordinances:
1. Illegally operating a business in a residential area
2. Running a sexually oriented business in a residential area
3. Operating an illegal sex club
The Cherry Pit said every guest who attends a party is handed a form stating there is no charge and that donations are voluntary. The city is not buying it.
"There are probably witnesses out there that will say you cannot get in unless you pay," said Hager. "We understand that no one is going to raise their hand if asked that question, so we'll address that issue later."
Meanwhile, the owners of the house say the parties on Friday and Saturday nights will still take place.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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