HIGH GEAR*

Volume 8, Issue 2

Thursday October 15, 1981

Dean's Rumors at City Hall

By Claudia H. Gear

Rumors concerning alleged harassment of the owners of DEAN'S LOUNGE, 11120 Clifton Blvd., were discussed at a meeting September 22 between representatives of Cleveland's GEAR Foundation, Councilman John Lynch (D-Ward 1), the owner of Dean's, and several other concerned citizens. The meeting was held in the Community Relations Department at Cleveland City Hall.

The meeting was called by John Lehner, GEAR Foundation Board of Trustees President, because of unsubstantiated rumors within the Gay Community, Councilman Lynch had singled out Dean's in an apparent effort to close it along with other popular nightspots. Lehner stated he was interested in getting the facts of the situation and, "How they relate to the facts Dean's went from a 'straight' bar to a ‘gay' one ́ and the issue of selective enforcement of zoning laws in the area." Lynch stated for the record that the stories were "Unjustifiable rumors," and elaborated by explaining the source of the present difficulty I goes back to a 1974 zoning case. Lynch introduced Mr. Anthony Costanzo, Secretary of the Zoning Board, who outlined the history of the situation up to the present time.

Costanzo related that the present owners of Dean's originally applied in 1974 to make alterations to a coffee shop then occupying the premises, to turn it into a tavern. "Several months later there were protests from neighbors," Costanzo said. "It was on the basis of these complaints, Mr. Lynch acted," Costanzo continued.

Records in the Zoning Board Office indicate the permits were issued, but Lynch's and two other residents of the area action at an appeals hearing resulted in the permits being cancelled. Dean Salivaras, owner of Dean's, filed suit with the Cuyahoga Court of Common Pleas claiming discriminatory application of the zoning laws since the permits should have been withheld, in his opinion, after the initial hearings since the subsequent action after many months of work resulted in substantial losses of money. The court ruled in favor of the city's action. The Court of Appeals agreed. with the decision rendered and Ohio's Supreme Court declined to review the case.

DEANS

Costanzo said, “Following this, action, substantially nothing was done for about four years." Lehner raised the issue of why nothing was done by the city for this length of time. Costanzo replied, "Cases of this kind usually take several years to handle, and in any case, there was another complaint made in late 1979." When Lehner asked the identity of the persons making the complaint he was told they were substantially the same people who had objected to the bar's opening in the first place.

Lehner then pointed out the fact other businesses in the Clifton Manor are operating without the proper use permits (editors note-the land the apartment building sits on is zoned residential). Lehner asked, "Why has Dean's Lounge been singled out? Is it because the patrons of the bar are gay? Aren't you using the zoning ordinances in a selective way to discriminate against gay people?" In response Lynch said he "Had received no complaints about the other businesses in the building.” Regarding the issue of discrimination, Costanzo said, "Nothing about the clientele of the bar has ever been presented at any public hearing." When asked to express his personal feelings on the Gay Community in his ward, Lynch replied, "The (Gay) community is an integral part of the area. They have been an asset by preventing the deterioration of a lot of property in the area."

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Costanzo related that in March, 1980, Salivaras applied for a zoning variance which was declined on the same basis the original zoning extension was withdrawn: Salivaras is currently pursuing the variance

CLIFTON COURT

MANAGER APT E

651-6362

denial through the courts. Lynch took great pains to point out that in all phases the matter has been treated strictly as a zoning case since its inception in 1974. Lynch said that on several occasions he has suggested Dean's find a new location in an area of the ward that is zone properly.

Earl Korb of the GEAR Foundation pointed out the need for places for Gays to go in the area and asked Lynch if there was any way the zon-

Together

ing issue could be resolved allowing Dean's to remain where it is. Lynch responded, "The matter is in the hands of the city law department and I doubt they will drop the matter now in view of all that has happened." Lehner questioned whether or not some way existed to revive the I original issue of extending the existing zoning to include Dean's location. Lynch admitted the possibility. but cautioned "Substantial community support for the change will have to be demonstrated."

In a related matter, Oscar Hagopian, a former resident of the area, pointed out an increase in recent months of vandalism to cars and several reported assaults on persons going into Dean's and other predominantly gay-frequented e stablishments along Clifton. Hagopian asked if Lynch was aware of the problem and what he could do about the situation. Lynch stated that the police had not informed him of any problems of this type in the area. Lynch did say however, that he would work with any community group to straighten out problems of this kind. He stressed the need of individuals to contact not only the police in these situations, but also to inform him personally.

Coffeehouse

OCTOBER 17

Every First & Third Saturday of the month

Joanne O'Connor

NOVEMBER 7

blues and folk

Rainsong and Mudslide

original feminist jazz/pop

OPEN 7:30 PM

ADMISSION $LOO

Entertainment, Light Food and Drink (no alcohol)

at the GEAR Community Center 2641 West 14 St. For information call the Gay Hotline, 621-3380