Geneva trying to keep strip clubs off its outskirts

Geneva officials don't want to see another strip club at the home of the recently shuttered Thumper's Gentlemen's Club just outside the city limits.

The Kane County Board's development committee Tuesday recommended moving forward with the city's request to rezone the property at 33W491 Route 38 in unincorporated Geneva Township. The issue is expected to come back to the committee for further action next month.

The bar closed for good earlier this year after its owner defaulted on his lease, failed to show up in court and had an $82,000 judgment placed against him. Its liquor license expired March 31.

Geneva officials envision other commercial uses for the 2.6-acre site as part of its east gateway revitalization plans. The land is east of a 270-unit, six-building development planned for the southeast corner of Route 38 and Kirk Road.

"The former adult entertainment use of the property is incompatible with existing nearby single-family residential neighborhoods, as well as other retail stores, retail service establishments, and automotive-oriented businesses located along this segment of east State Street," Geneva city administrator Phil Page wrote in a letter to the county's development department.

The development committee directed staff to begin the process of changing the zoning. The zoning change would not allow another adult-themed business to open there, nor would it allow a bar or restaurant that serves alcohol.

Committee member Mike Kenyon said the strip club "doesn't give you a good impression" when drivers head west into Geneva from DuPage County.

"It just doesn't look right," said Kenyon, a South Elgin Republican.

Club owner Donald Devlin was sued earlier this year for $46,000 in unpaid rent for 2006, and for $14,100 more for missing rent. He also was sued by the landowner for failure to pay insurance premiums, failure to pay a liquor license fee and failure to report sales tax figures.