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Size Matters: Texas Swingers Club Shut By Zoning Board
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Size Matters: Texas Swingers Club Shut By Zoning Board Here’s a turnaround on the size question: A swingers club in North Arlington, Texas, was shut by a local zoning board after the board determined Lone Star perverts were playing in every nook and cranny of a 4,680-square-foot house, according to The Dallas Morning News. That’s too large for an “incidental business,” which is limited to 25 percent of a residence in that particular zone. As a result, David and Shannon Esopenko have closed down Eutopia, reporter Robert Wilonsky wrote in “Couple running a swingers club out of massive Arlington house has decided to move on.” And they’re taking their $14,000 in annual real estate tax payments with them. An article in The Daily Mail, “Couple running a swingers MANSION in suburban Texas move out after neighbors are left outraged over weekly parties for hundreds,” puts the limit at 20 percent. Check out this article as well: It features photos and video of the club, which seems to have been pretty nice. I’m torn on this one. On the one hand, I support the idea of sex-healthy businesses, and certainly want to boost the swinging community. But on the other, rules are rules, and laws are laws. Perhaps the question is whether Eutopia was selected for special scrutiny among businesses in the region. According to The Dallas Morning News, the club wasn’t singled out (if one can use such a phrase about a couples’ club) due to the nature of its activities: Municipal officials say they were responding to complaints from neighbors. David Esopenko isn’t so sure, however: He maintains that neighbors – including an 80-year-old woman – had started renting out their land for overflow parking after an initial series of articles revealed the club’s existence. The ugly truth is that swing club proprietors – I’m not talking about people who host the occasional party in their home or a suite of hotel rooms – have to be especially cognizant of laws and regulations, and they have to be bears when it comes to enforcing ‘em. Take BYOB clubs… a guest might have to be 18 to play, but if that guest ain’t 21, he or she ain’t drinking… and smart club operators will make damned sure that law isn’t violated. (This is one reason why swing clubs often have 21-or-older restrictions – and yes, they card.) I dunno, maybe the Esopenkos could have claimed that the 1.5 acres the house sits on should have been counted as part of the business premises, which might have increased the overall square footage, bringing the play space under the 25 percent total. It just takes one couple (or however many people might be involved) playing on the lot to give some legitimacy to the claim, no? Comments on the article range from those who feel the property should be bleached clean and then burned to the ground to those who saw Eutopia as a destination attraction. Asks petenelson277: And why would the city let them leave? The Rangers are not very good. The Cowboys are a bad back away from a disaster And Six Flags is pretty dull. People need a reason to go to Arlington. Final note: As one commenter pointed out, a Texas court allowed a Far North Dallas synagogue to continue operating out of a home after zoning officials attempted to shut it (“Court allows Far North Dallas synagogue to operate in home,” per The Dallas Morning News.) Perhaps the moral to this story is, before you play, pray. Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic |
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You're right, of course... what folks don't realize is that once a community opens that door -- the one of shuttering businesses based on personal objection -- the precedent can be turned against those who opened it. An exercise for readers: Walk (or drive) around your neighborhood and consider the businesses you'd shutter if you were given the power of a despot. Now consider whether you'd want similar power in the hands of bluenoses... Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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City policymakers give exceptions to those they feel "deserving". The overflow parking is indicative of a nuisance. Nuisance is defined as you are profiting from something that annoys me and unless I profit too I'm going to go bang my drum of injustice. It could be that I don't want to hear loud drunk people at all hours of the night. Additionally, business usage can also be defined as a measure of time so if they limited their hours to just the weekends they might have had a leg to stand on.
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City policymakers give exceptions to those they feel "deserving". The overflow parking is indicative of a nuisance. Nuisance is defined as you are profiting from something that annoys me and unless I profit too I'm going to go bang my drum of injustice. It could be that I don't want to hear loud drunk people at all hours of the night. Additionally, business usage can also be defined as a measure of time so if they limited their hours to just the weekends they might have had a leg to stand on. But yes, there are noise and congestion concerns... There is an iconic bar in NYC called Chumley's which has had trouble re-opening after a ceiling collapse for this very reason. I miss it like hell -- great place -- but I do understand neighbors' concerns. Your definition of "nuisance," however -- cynical, and with your tongue firmly planted in your cheek -- is what scares me. The Esopenkos could have fought this on a number of fronts -- your temporal suggestion is one -- but legal fees have a way of mounting quickly. Sometimes it is better to switch than fight. Great comment! Thank you for reading, and please come back! Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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Clever title for the blog post! I think they must have been doing great business if they were filling more than 25% of that house square footage! I'm not sure why Texans would want to run them out- Isn't everything bigger, badder,better in Texas? Kk The observant make the best lovers, I may not do right, but I do write, I have bliss, joy, and happiness in my life, Kitkat Come check out my blog KItkat1415 check out this post by me Adventures In Body Grooming #39 April Topic Link: What Lies Beneath If April Showers Oh Bloody Hell What Kind Of Weather Turns Me On Bloggers Symposium 40
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Clever title for the blog post! I think they must have been doing great business if they were filling more than 25% of that house square footage! I'm not sure why Texans would want to run them out- Isn't everything bigger, badder,better in Texas? Kk As for everything being bigger, badder, and better in Texas... not any more, apparently... Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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Texas is as culturally divided as the rest of the nation- but I don't think squeamishness about what are perceived as borderline kinky sexual practices is limited to Texas. Michigan is in a race to the depths of religious intolerance at present and is disguising it as a boon to religious freedom. A once proudly liberal state is now posturing as a right wing culture warrior. It can be hard to know the details of what motivated the principals in this case. Sometimes you just have to be there to understand all the nuance. But I can see it in a larger political context. Your comment..."power in the hands of bluenoses". Right now there is a sizable minority of social conservatives acting as front man for an expanded version of the John Birch Society. Really they're just tools for corporate greed. It isn't at all new, and it isn't just Texas or Michigan. But it still makes me sick. Become a member now and get a free tote bag.
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27/2/2015 11h23 |
I fil d your blog interesting and it gives me a whole new perception on the swinging lifestyle which i don't know much about. as for the city closing the place down its a slippery slope and if they do it to one place they'll do it to others they deem unfit to operate for whatever reason. Please, just call me diggy.
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There is always selective enforcement of the law... noting new here. Find pleasure in giving pleasure
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If it was in a residential neighborhood... no way would I want one of my neighbors to be throwing parties for over 100 people every weekend. I don't care what kind of a party it is. I have hosted kink parties myself - with 20-25 guests - and I start to feel self-conscious about being too "visible" if it's any more often than once every 2-3 months. My neighbors DO notice that the street is all parked up.   
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I think I am very happy now living in the country and not the city. Parties of over 100 I don't think so.. Too many people for my likings.. I think around 25 to 30 seems like a good amount. hugssss V PS Great post here and very interesting reading too .. Become a blog watcher sweet_vm
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Texas is as culturally divided as the rest of the nation- but I don't think squeamishness about what are perceived as borderline kinky sexual practices is limited to Texas. Michigan is in a race to the depths of religious intolerance at present and is disguising it as a boon to religious freedom. A once proudly liberal state is now posturing as a right wing culture warrior. It can be hard to know the details of what motivated the principals in this case. Sometimes you just have to be there to understand all the nuance. But I can see it in a larger political context. Your comment..."power in the hands of bluenoses". Right now there is a sizable minority of social conservatives acting as front man for an expanded version of the John Birch Society. Really they're just tools for corporate greed. It isn't at all new, and it isn't just Texas or Michigan. But it still makes me sick. Oddly enough, I've known people in the lifestyle who aren't liberal at all... they might be libertarian (small  or they might even be conservative... which given how the right has yoked itself with the religious movement in this country is definitely going against their personal prurient interests...I suspect places like Austin are more tolerant of clubs... although Austin wouldn't offer the expanses of space required for a sprawling retreat! Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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I fil d your blog interesting and it gives me a whole new perception on the swinging lifestyle which i don't know much about. as for the city closing the place down its a slippery slope and if they do it to one place they'll do it to others they deem unfit to operate for whatever reason. As for the club itself... Perhaps the Esopenkos will take zoning restrictions into account when they choose their next location. Swing clubs are legitimate businesses (when run correctly -- e.g. no prostitution, underage drinking, or violations of zoning laws). Hopefully they'll bring their spirit to another locale! Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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Here in San Diego, the local government has been going after those who rent rooms out to lodgers. The City Council is hoping to enhance their limited revenue streams, but the crackdown has proven to be a huge burden on retirees who need a roommate just to make ends meet. How are these folks going to pay tens of thousands of dollars in back taxes? One homeowner however, apparently paid cash. Reports say that he was leasing bedrooms out by the hour to prostitutes and their tricks, along with swingers and paramours who just needed a place to rut for a brief spell. One columnist speculates that the pressure is coming from big corporate hotel chains who are losing out the same way that cab companies are to Uber. You would think what goes on in the sacred space between the walls of one's own home would be immune from the long arm of the tax collector or the law, but I guess it ain't so! The sacred space of one's own home should, indeed, be sacred... but when other security is compromised, there is room for action. This is why the case of the Esopenkos is interesting... the club was in their detached home, but the area wasn't apparently zoned for a certain level of traffic, and there was at least one neighbor who had a bug up his/her ass about it. Pity the others who were making a few extra bucks renting out their driveways... Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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There is always selective enforcement of the law... noting new here. Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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Yes, and again, in a residential neighborhood not zoned for a high-volume business, these are fair concerns. I just wonder whether the nature of the business brought down special scrutiny above and beyond the usual. Actually, I don't wonder at all. Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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Yes, and that holds true on both sides of the political divide. It's when law enforcement is selectively undertaken that I have a problem. Look, ultimately this issue is black and white (for me, anyway). A swing club is a business. Businesses have rules which need to be followed. Break those rules, and there is a very real risk of regulatory/legal sanctions. But as I've said before, I'd hope those regulations were equally enforced all around. And despite my home-team rooting for Jewish organizations, the fact that the prayer group mentioned at the end of my piece was given a pass ain't fair. But whoever said life was fair? Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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If it was in a residential neighborhood... no way would I want one of my neighbors to be throwing parties for over 100 people every weekend. I don't care what kind of a party it is. I have hosted kink parties myself - with 20-25 guests - and I start to feel self-conscious about being too "visible" if it's any more often than once every 2-3 months. My neighbors DO notice that the street is all parked up. You could host a party in my neighborhood anytime! (Easy for me, as a city dweller, to say that...) Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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I think I am very happy now living in the country and not the city. Parties of over 100 I don't think so.. Too many people for my likings.. I think around 25 to 30 seems like a good amount. hugssss V PS Great post here and very interesting reading too .. Forty, perhaps, if we all promise to be good... Thank you for your kind words on the post! Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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