Over the past few weeks buzz has steadily circulated around the peaceful community of McGee's Crossroads that folks are possibly getting a new neighbor.

An unwanted neighbor.

According to sources, a proposal is on the table that would allow a gentlemen’s club to set up shop in the heart of this Johnston County community.

"We are a loving and Christian community and we have no room or desire for anything of a sinful nature such as this type of business to come to our community," said Pat Penny, a local resident.

Prospective owners of the proposed club are eyeing a site on Old Roberts Road which would allow visibility from I-40, therefore, possibly luring various types of travelers, opponents say. Traditionally, businesses set back off the interstate also dot the highways with billboards, thus giving those utilizing I-40 a heads up on what lies ahead.

"I do not want our McGee’s Crossroads community to invoke any kind of negative feeling to anyone who passes by on I-40 or moves to our area," said Penny.

She compared the business with Cafe Risque, a strip club/restaurant located on I-95 outside of Dunn.

"I shudder and feel a spirit of darkness every time I pass the Cafe Risque and feel a repression coming to my heart just by passing the location," said Penny. "We do not need that same spirit of darkness in our beautiful McGee’s Crossroads Community."

However, the biggest argument against the proposed location of the club is its location. The site is located within one mile of three area schools - West Johnston High School, McGee's Crossroads Middle School and McGee's Crossroads Elementary School.

"We have a lot of churches and schools in the area, we don't need this (club) going on," said Penny.

The one-mile school distance doesn't necessarily hold weight in this case. According to Johnston County's code of ordinances, adult businesses are not allowed in any building located within 1,000 feet in any direction from a public school, church, public playground, park or a building used as a dwelling.

But, Johnston's Director of Planning Berry Gray said the county does have an adult business ordinance that restricts where a business of that type may be established. Furthermore, the site is currently zoned industrial, and not for general business.

"They definitely cannot put an adult business in that location," he said.

Gray also stated the planning board was not that concerned with the proposal at this point.

After fighting a three-year battle with the City of Raleigh, Capital Cabaret, a gentlemen's club located adjacent to RDU international airport, finally won their case and opened a business, branding themselves as having "the friendliest entertainers and hospitality staff anywhere."

A Web site for Capital Cabaret boasts of having tableside dancing, fantasy rooms and intimate conversation areas, which is exactly what the folks of McGee's Crossroads are opposing.

Penny recently sent a letter to the Johnston County Planning Department asking that permits not be granted to the proposed club.

She also asks that local citizens join her in composing letters and faxing them to 919-989-5426 to let members of the planning board know a sexually oriented business is not wanted in their area.

"Please do help us keep McGee's Crossroads a great place to live and be proud of by sending a letter for us nixing this idea," she said.

"I don't know one soul that is for it and we don't have any gentlemen here that would go to a place like that."