A building permit for the project has been issued.

The Mariners had asked the city's planning department to deny Roger Forbes, who owns the D?j? Vu chain, a permit for his proposed business at 1530 First Ave. S, across the street from Home Plate front gate.

The city had a moratorium on adult cabarets for 17 years until it was lifted last year and replaced with restrictions on where the businesses can locate - 800 feet from schools, public parks, community centers and open space; and away from other adult-only entertainment.

The Baseball club argued that since many children, often as part of school or youth groups, attend events at Safeco Field, an adult cabaret next door was not allowed under city rules.

But in their decision, city planning officials said Safeco is no different from theaters or churches, which aren't community centers. They also added that children attend events and take tours of many parts of the city, including the Space Needle, Pioneer Square and the waterfront.

Planning officials said it wasn't the intent of the city, in its legislation on adult cabarets to prohibit them from all areas where children might go.

"It would be virtually impossible to determine all of the places tours currently go, or to predict where they might, and regulate on that basis," according to the decision.

The Mariners have 21 days to appeal the decision to King County Superior Court.

Mariner spokeswoman Rebecca Hale said the Baseball organization had a quick meeting after the announcement and hasn't made any decisions yet.

"We are going to study the decision, ask questions and get some answers," she said. "We are considering all the options that are available."

Earlier, Hale said their complaint has more to do with the proximity of the strip club rather than the existence of the business itself.

There are five licensed adult cabarets in Seattle. Two belong to the D?j? Vu chain: Showgirls and Little Darlings, which opened recently about a block from the federal courthouse. The other licensed strip clubs are Rick's on Lake City Way Northeast and Sands West and Centerfolds, both in Crown Hill. The Lusty Lady, which is a peep show rather than a club, isn't counted.

Peter Buck, an attorney for the D?j? Vu owner, said, "They (Mariners) made an unfortunate mistake when they asked the city for an interpretation of the code."

The result was nine pages, single-spaced, of the city explaining how the proposed strip club is not a violation.

"In the laws of our state, when a city or county has made an interpretation, the court gives a great deal of deference to that. They have loaded the bases for us and we have no outs," Buck said.

P-I reporter Kathy Mulady can be reached at 206-448-8029 or kathymulady@seattlepi.com