Exposing the naked truth

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Chik-fil-A owner Jeff Jones says the construction of a bikini bar would be a moral issue.

Some Hillsborough County residents are upset about an adult-themed bikini bar possibly opening in their neighborhood.

A new business will open on State Road 60 in Valrico. What the nature of that business is has some local residents and business owners concerned.

"What you hear from somebody working inside, it's not just somebody in a bikini serving alcohol," Chik-fil-A owner Jeff Jones said. "There may be lap dances. There may be dancing around a pole."

During a recent spot check, county building inspectors found poles on the dance floor and they said they discovered storage areas had been turned into dressing rooms.

"You know the concern is the increased crime," Jones said. "Decrease in business on a business standpoint. Morally, I just don't think it's appropriate."

Hillsborough County Commissioner Ronda Storms said she has received hundreds of calls from her constituents about the dilemma.

"I'm getting phone calls," Storms said. "I'm getting e-mails. I'm getting personal visits and people talking. Everything we do is assuring people that we're going to make them conform to the law."

The county has placed a stop work order on the reconstruction. The owners will have to resubmit a building plan and get a new round of approvals.

Hillsborough County Commissioner Ronda Storms says she's getting bombarded with complaints about the bar.

The building's owner, Susan Calkin, won't confirm or deny that a bikini bar is opening.

The debate has become so heated that she's had to address it on her outgoing answering machine message. She said she has received threatening and harassing phone calls.

"The threats were aimed at my family, my pets, my home and my property on Highway 60," Calkin said.

Calkin insists the business owner leasing the property from her will not feature nudity.

County building inspectors said they also found an office space that had been turned into a bar and dance floor, as well as a firewall that wasn't constructed to the approved building plans.

Hillsborough County Building Services said the general contractor of the nightclub has asked to be removed from the project. The contractor told the county he was asked to build items not approved on the county plan.

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