Application for Proposed Gentlemen's Club Rejected

Members of the Windsor Locks planning and zoning commission held a special meeting Thursday night to address an application submitted by the owner of Ella Grasso Turnpike's Pool Table Magic, Mark Kulungian, to convert his business into a strip club.

After meeting with counsel in executive session for more than 30 minutes, members of the commission emerged and voted unanimously to reject Kulungian's application on the ground he has filed the wrong application.

Per the motion made by the commission, the application submitted "is not customary use for a restaurant... and is not a listed use under (planning and zoning) regulations."

According to Commission Chairman Vincent Zimnoch, if Kulungian wishes to pursue the transformation of his billiards hall into a gentlemen's club, he would be required to file a special use application for an establishment providing "amusement."

"It was just the wrong application," Zminoch added.

Additionally, the commission voted to cancel the scheduled public hearing regarding a moratorium on adult-oriented businesses, and added an agenda item allowing commission members to discuss the possibility of establishing such a moratorium in town at its next meeting.

That meeting is scheduled for Mon., Feb. 11.

The application process has been all but simple for Kulungian, who filed his request for changes to his business in October 2012.

His proposal has been met with opposition from the local business community and residents.

It's also not the first time Kulungian's business has had trouble making its way through all the red tape associated with regulations and permits.

The billiards hall owner, in August 2012, .

Kulungian currently has an application for a liquor permit pending. The permit is associated with his gentlemen's club proposal.

Floor plans for the gentlemen's club include a full bar beside the performers' stage.