A Shade, Ohio man trying to open a strip club in Athens is suing the Board of Zoning Appeals in federal court for unlawfully denying his zoning application.
Christopher Stotts, the owner of Three Wide Entrainment, filed complaints Monday against Steven Pierson, former zoning administrator and director of the Department of Development, six current and former members of the Board of Zoning Appeals, the city of Athens and Enforcement and Facilities.
Demetrios Prokos, owner of Prokos Rentals, is also listed as a plaintiff on the complaint. Stotts is leasing the intended location, 9, 11 and 13 W. Stimson Ave., from Prokos Rentals, according to court documents.
Stotts first filed an application for a zoning permit to open the business in 2007, and the board denied the application twice in 2008. Stotts filed an appeal to the board’s decision in Fourth District Court of Appeals in 2010. The court overturned the decision May 10, 2011.
Stotts claims that the board hindered his right to free expression and speech by denying his application, which is a violation of the Ohio and United States constitution, according to court documents. He also claims that the board unreasonably denied his application because he is planning on using the property for a legitimate business, according to the complaint.
The plaintiffs are also claiming the board caused them monetary damages and imposed substantial negative economic impact against them.
Stotts and Prokos are asking the court to determine the amount of damages based on business losses, out-of-pocket expenses and any other relief the court sees fit.
Pierson, the board and the city have yet to issue a response to the complaint.
@ThePostCity
