Noel Ross, who is petitioning the city to open a nightclub above a downtown restaurant, will be allowed to argue his case during an Oct. 9 public hearing, the Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen decided Thursday.

At a Sept. 1 hearing of the Vicksburg Board of Zoning Appeals, the board unanimously supported Zoning Administrator Dalton McCarty’s decision to deny a permit to Ross for the club. McCarty said he could not approve the permit due to a 2007 ordinance that restricts nightclubs from opening in the city’s downtown commercial district, zoned C-3. Nightclubs are only allowed by special exception in areas zoned C-2, C-4, L-1 and L-2, he said.

Ross wants to open a nightclub above Burger Village at 1220 Washington St., which is zoned C-3. He has the support of the restaurant’s owner, Bobby Doyle, who said at the initial hearing he did not understand why so many of his downtown neighbors are opposing his plan to renovate and lease the space above the business he’s operated for 26 years.

More than 40 people attended the hearing earlier this month, the majority of whom opposed the nightclub. Ross was represented by his brother, Charles Ross, who said “my brother just wants to open a lounge…for people to settle and unwind.”

Opponents said they did not oppose Ross or Doyle personally, but believe a late night club in the area would disturb downtown residents and add to the after hours loitering problem.

Mayor Paul Winfield could not attend Thursday’s meeting, as he was in New York City representing Vicksburg as one of 18 mayors across the country selected for the new Cities of Service Coalition, promoting community service and steering funds for associated federal programs. He is to return to Vicksburg today.

North Ward Alderman Michael Mayfield and South Ward Alderman Sid Beauman approved setting the hearing.

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Contact Steve Sanoski at ssanoski@vicksburgpost.com