Church spoils topless plans for former Rogich offices

Erin Neff

Thursday, July 13, 2000 | 11:10 a.m.

City planners have never warmed to the idea that political adviser Sig Rogich's former office building could be turned into an adult business.

In April, when Rogich requested a tavern license for his former offices on Westwood Drive, planners objected because of the building's proximity to another tavern and a boxing club where youngsters go after school.

The City Council voted 4-2 to approve a tavern license after disputed measurements showed Rogich's building to be 17 inches beyond the minimum required distance to an elementary school.

Two days before that vote, a small church began operating in the neighboring Highland Office Building. The ironic timing of the church's application was discussed by media, but didn't play a role in the council's decision.

"I don't think the council knew about the church," City Manager Virginia Valentine said.

But the Universal Church of Life Enhancement is now the distinct reason city planners have denied an application by the building's prospective owners to turn the office into a topless club.

Zoning code requires a 1,500-foot separation between adult businesses and churches. The church is 219 feet away from the building planned to become a topless club called The Boardroom.

Rogich, one of the state's most powerful political consultants and an adviser to Texas Gov. George W. Bush's presidential campaign, is in the process of selling his old building to Ali and Hassan Davari of Houston.

Leading up to the April council vote, Rogich bristled at press reports suggesting he was attempting to secure a tavern license for the building to turn it into a topless bar. He emphatically denied that he would turn it into such a club, but it became obvious that he wanted the license to increase the sale value of his offices.

The Davari brothers applied July 3 for a special use permit to allow a topless club at the building. Their purchase of Rogich's building could be contingent on city approval of the use permit for an adult business.

Rogich could not be reached for comment.

Lee Haney, an attorney and spokeswoman for Rogich Communication Group, said she believes the Davari purchase of the building is still in escrow.

"We are aware that they were applying for an adult license, but we are not part of that process," Haney said. "Everyone keeps trying to tie us to this. We have made it very clear from the beginning that we are not involved and will never be involved in any kind of adult business."