ROME -- Battle lines are being drawn in the city of Rome over a proposal to establish an adult entertainment club on the outskirts of the city.
Oneida resident Kyle Endemann has applied for a zoning variance to build a bar and restaurant which would feature exotic dancers.
The site at the corner of Route 365 and Greenway New London Road is currently an empty lot next to farm land, but less than a half mile away is the hamlet of Greenway.
Richard Hilts, who lives near the site, tells CNYCentral's Jim Kenyon that about 150 people who live in the area are banding together to oppose the club. Hilts rejects assurances from Endemann that the facility would cater to "high end" clientele. His neighbor Jon Petrie agrees and worries that the club would attract drunk drivers into Greenway. Another neighbor Victoria Ceravolo does not see a problem with the adult club. She feels it's isolated enough so it won't interfere with people in the neighborhood.
Rome Mayor Joseph Fusco says "zoning is lax in that area." Fusco says the city is going to "revisit the zoning code." "If we were to allow something like this, where would the best place be?" he said.
Endemann turned down our request for an interview, referring questions to his attorney who was not immediately available for comment.
