825-B S. Green River Road

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By John Martin of the Courier and Press

An Evansville man is seeking a zoning variance that would allow an adult-oriented dance club, which would be patterned after a Coyote Ugly Saloon, to open on the East Side.

Jon Nelson has submitted plans for a club at 825-B S. Green River Road. His application states that the venue would not have nude dancing, but it would classify as an adult club under city zoning codes because of dress such as "bikini swimwear" or "cowboy/cowgirl outfits."

Under city codes, adult cabarets, juice bars or bikini bars are permitted uses under certain types of zoning, but such businesses have highly restrictive requirements.

They must not be within 1,000 feet of any residential property or within 500 feet of any religious institution or school or city park.

The South Green River Road property is within 1,000 feet of two residential properties — Bryce DeMornay Apartments and Devonshire Apartments. The variance Nelson seeks would relax the 1,000-feet requirement.

Nelson could not be reached for comment. On his application to the Area Plan Commission seeking the zoning variance, Nelson states the club would be in the vein of Coyote Ugly, a worldwide chain. The closest ones to Evansville are in Nashville and Memphis.

Nelson wrote on the application that he wants to open an "internationally known venue to bring more customers to the area. ... We're trying to create something to offer the people of Evansville as well as turn our venue into a better business."

Nelson continues: "(We want to) provide Evansville with a night club that you would see in a big city! We see South Green River Road as dying; we want to bring its life back, with a very classy, clean environment for a night out in Evansville."

The building at 825 S. Green River Road is subdivided. Nelson's club would use part of a former Mexican restaurant, as well as space that is now a nightclub.

In total, the new club would cover 3,420 square feet, according to Nelson's floor plan.

The next Board of Zoning Appeals meeting is 4 p.m. June 16 in Room 301 of the Civic Center.