By Al Dozier
A long legal battle to open a strip club on a Fernandina Road property near Costco has ended.
Lexington County Councilwoman Beth Carrigg on Wednesday confirmed that the proposed Savannah Gentlemen’s Club will not open. She said application for an alcoholic beverage license was recently withdrawn.
Carrigg said she does not foresee any further effort considering the long legal obstacles the plan has faced since plans were first announced in 2018. She anticipates the site will house a four-suite commercial office space instead.
It brought a sigh of relief from local neighborhood leaders.
“Many thanks to Lexington County Councilwoman Carrigg, state Representative Chip Huggins, and the many other community leaders who helped in this effort,” said a post on the Whitehall HOA web site.
Carrigg and Huggins said the proposed strip club violates Lexington County zoning rules and that newly discovered evidence shows the applicant doesn’t meet qualifications for controlling the property in order to obtain a liquor license, according to court filings.
Local residents in the Harbison area have sounded complaints about the strip club site, which is located near the New Covenant Assembly Church and a gymnastics center.
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott has also voiced opposition to the club.
