SALEM, Ore. (KOIN) — The owner of a well-known strip club in Portland has plans to turn a Marion County mansion into a bed-and-breakfast but many locals aren’t on board.
The property — known as the Morrow Mansion — is located in an upscale neighborhood near Sprague High School in south Salem.
Inside the 21,000-square-foot building are nine bedrooms, 11 fireplaces, a swimming pool, bowling alley and dance floor.
Carol Lee bought the property in 2017 for $2.5 million and wants to turn it into a bed-and-breakfast, according to her attorney. County rules would require her to rent no more than five rooms at a time.
Lee — who also co-owns Portland’s vegan strip club, Casa Diablo — told KOIN 6 News she’s aware that some worry she’ll turn the Morrow Mansion into an adult entertainment facility. But she said that’s not her intent.
Neighbors living near the mansion are concerned the property will be less like a B&B and more like a high-end hotel.
“What you have here is more of a resort, not a B&B you’re operating out of your home for extra income,” said neighbor Jana Gunn. “You have more of a boutique hotel which is a commercial enterprise that doesn’t belong in an area of residential families.”
Lee currently doesn’t live at the mansion but said she would move into it if her B&B plans are approved.
A county commissioner turned down Lee’s application last fall but she is now appealing the decision to the state land use board. A hearing is scheduled for next month.