Sunshine Lodge 99 was granted a special exception from the Vicksburg Zoning Board of Appeals Tuesday to operate across the street from Grove Street School at 1001 First North St.. Charles Butler, who spoke on behalf of the application, said the building will serve as the meeting place for about 18 members of the masonic organization.

“No, it’s not a drinking club,” said Butler when asked by zoning board members about lodge activities.

The board has denied several applications for special exceptions from prospective nightclub owners in areas zoned for residential use over the past year, and the members appeared to want to make sure they would not be approving a drinking establishment or pool hall by giving Butler the exception. The building is located in an area zoned R-3 two-family residential. No one appeared before the board to oppose Butler’s application, and it was approved unanimously without any conditions after a brief series of questions.

“No pool tournaments, none of that,” said Butler when board member Tommie Rawlings asked about a pool table that might be located at the building for use by lodge members.

Butler also said the building will not be rented out for private parties and would be “basically vacant except when we meet.” He said the members meet from 7 to 9 p.m. three times monthly. Affiliated female members of the Order of the Eastern Star will also meet at the building once monthly, he said. A variance to the off-street parking requirements was also granted, meaning off-street parking will not have to be provided for members during meetings. Butler said the lodge has been meeting at a building on Clay Street across from Church’s Chicken.

Also Tuesday, the board granted Stacy Douglas a special exception to operate a bed and breakfast tour home at 2530 Oak St., known as the Captain Kain House.

The Vicksburg Historic Preservation Committee approved Douglas’ request to have the historic home listed as a Vicksburg Landmark on Jan. 12, and approval by the Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen followed on Jan. 19.

The home formerly served as an apartment complex with four units, said Zoning Administrator Dalton McCarty, who presented the application on Douglas’ behalf. The exception will also allow for a gift shop in the home, said McCarty. Douglas has the home ready to begin operating as a bed and breakfast immediately, he added.

Board members present Tuesday were Rawlings, Warren Jones, Tim Fagerburg, Fred Katzenmeyer and Mark Corum. Also Tuesday, the board:

• OK’d a request by Andrea Lewis for a variance to the front yard setback requirement, from 30 feet to 19 feet, at 102 Landsdown Drive to allow for the construction of a carport or garage.

• OK’d a request by Eli’s Treehouse Restaurant & Sports Grill for a variance to off-street parking requirements while the parking lot at 1837 Cherry St.is paved. The board gave the restaurant owners 18 months to complete the paving.

• OK’d board meeting minutes from Nov. 3, 2009.

Contact Steve Sanoski at ssanoski@vicksburgpost.com