MLive
By Will Forgrave
A lawsuit filed by the owners of a planned swingers club in Summit Township was thrown out by a county judge.
Renovations to a private club in Summit Township remain stalled after property owners failed to submit a conditional use permit to township officials and instead sued the municipality last month.
Jackson County Circuit Judge Richard LaFlamme ruled against the private club owners’ suit and directed them to file an appeal with the township.
“I’m sure I’ll be seeing everyone here again in the future,” he said Tuesday, Aug. 11.
The property at 4200 Spring Arbor Road was purchased by Epicurean Developments LLC in December, Jackson County records indicate, and has since created a storm of controversy, with area residents wondering what kind of business property owners plan to open at the location.
Several concerned residents have pointed to a website that states a swingers club dubbed “The Club at 4200” is set to open this spring in Jackson. An address for the club is not listed on the site.
Epicurean’s legal counsel admitted Tuesday that the website is advertising for the Summit Township property, but said no illegal activities will occur and the township is at fault for issuing a construction permit and then reneging on the agreement.
“My client expended significant funds on this project,” said Frederick Lucas, Epicurean’s lawyer. “There is no sex allowed on the premises, this is not a brothel. This is consenting adults getting together to mingle.
“If they wish to engage in sexual acts, they need to go elsewhere,” Lucas continued.
Township lawyer William Fahey said three words in the township ordinances are at question “clubs and lodges” and said the wording refers to “clubs like Rotary Clubs and lodges like the Masons.”
“That is the common understanding,” he said. “I don’t think ‘clubs and lodges’ is an ambiguous term.” …