North Miami Board OKs Strip Club Despite Opposition by Kids

Kids from Miami Gymnastics spoke out against the move

A North Miami city board approved a strip club in a 5-2 vote Thursday night despite opposition from a nearby gymnastics school.

The city’s Board of Adjustments gave the OK for a 20,000-square-foot strip club near Miami Gymnastics, which had kids raise their signs and voices against the establishment at the meeting.

“We will take it to the court, we will take it, I will put everything we can,” Miami Gymnastics owner Natalia Pyrig said.

It was the second vote on an issue already heard and rejected by the board.

“Most of the cities throughout the United States are trying to eliminate strip clubs,” board chairwoman Carol Keys said. “They are not inviting them with open arms to come into their cities. We are. There must be a good reason.”

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Back in August, the board denied applicant Sunny Isles Eatery a waiver permitting the opening of a strip club.

But this time – with two new board members appointed by Mayor Andre Pierre – it passed.

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The road to the vote began in June, when the city amended its ordinance to allow the sale of alcohol in nude clubs. But that's only if they're in industrial areas, and 1,500 feet from places of worship, residences, or schools.

The proposed site is within 500 feet of an apartment complex, and less than 900 feet from kid-friendly spots like Miami Gymnastics.

The club promises to be a $2 million investment with no tell-tale sign of what's going on inside. The club guarantees it will supply off-duty officers, and consult police to ensure safety.

“We actually had a police come in and say that this is an applicant that we never had any problems with,” attorney Jeff Cazeau said.

The board said the strip club on weekdays from 4 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., and on weekends from 1 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

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