Town Council Rejects Proposal To Put Nightclub Near Churches

Two couples wanted to open up a private nightclub that would be open 6 nights a week with a teen night off Business Highway 70.

"I myself have been to hang out with my friends, in parking lots, wherever, tobacco fields," said Crystal Williams, who supports the nightclub. "I thought it would be best to have a place where they could hang out with their friends, not get into trouble, no alcohol."

The problem is that the location of the nightclub is in an area where three churches are less than two blocks away.

"To the blood of those victims who go to this club, who then leave with one drink too many, and is killed or kills someone else," Pastor Jerry Watters said.

The town's planning commission approved the club last week. On Tuesday, church members packed the town council chambers. After debating the issue, the council turned down the proposal.

An ordinance in Smithfield states that you cannot have a bar or nightclub within 150 feet of a school or church. Developers for the nightclub said they plan to look elsewhere.