A request to establish an entertainment facility on Southeast Boulevard has been continued by the City Council for a second time so the Planning and Zoning Board can give a recommendation either way on the venue, which would utilize a 19,000-square-foot building on nearly 10 acres of property.

The same request was delayed by the Council last month so Paul Scoggins of Midnite Rodeo of Clinton, LLC could provide the Clinton-Sampson Planning and Development Department with more information on his request, including exact capacity of the facility and parking needed.

The conditional use permit by Scoggins is to operate an entertainment facility at 403 Southeast Blvd., in the Roses shopping center, in a Highway Commercial district.

On Tuesday, mayor Lew Starling again opened and closed a continued public hearing on the matter. It will be on the board’s June agenda.

Scoggins initially came before the Planning and Zoning Board in March and told members the business would be open two to three days a week, from around 7 p.m. to no later than 2 a.m. The entertainment facility would be available for weddings, birthdays, political rallies, fundraisers and single-night promotions that would include bands, Scoggins stated.

No one spoke in opposition to the request at that time.

Scoggins previously informed planning board members that he operates four other entertainment facilities, two in Charlotte, one in Monroe and one in Salisbury.

On Tuesday, the Council again continued the request by Scoggins having no recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Board, which will take up the request at its May 18 meeting.

In a recent letter to the City Council, Scoggins expressed his desire to see the establishment open in Clinton.

The business, he wrote, would employ 12-18 people from the Clinton area, two to four of which would be full time. Scoggins stated that the Clinton Police Department has also been contacted to provide security and parking lot patrol, in addition to the anticipated 16-camera surveillance system that would be installed upon opening.

The business, Scoggins stated, would open with “a country music concert featuring a national act such as Charlie Daniels, Jeff Bates or other such acts.” The letter noted amenities provided by Midnite Rodeo. They include “a mechanical bull, mechanical surf board, Velcro fly wall, mechanical calf roping horse, along with various horse and carriages to include a wedding carriages (sic), hay ride wagon and stage coach for use with various functions and parties.”

There will be festivities around Christmas and Halloween, and Easter egg hunts for children.

“We like being involved in community events and functions, fundraisers and charity events along with our fundraisers for charities such as St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, food drives for Thanksgiving, toy drives for Christmas and various other functions to help and benefit the community,” Scoggins stated in the letter.

He said safety of staff and the public was “our number one concern.”

Before the request can be approved by the City Council, board members must find the request meets each of the four criteria for special use permits, including that the use will not endanger public health and safety, be injurious to the use and enjoyment of surrounding properties or diminish and impair property values in the area.

Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 121, or by email at sicrime@myclintonnc.com.