The Warren strip club Jon Jons fight with the city over a zoning issue is heating up as the case makes its way through Circuit Court.
July 20, Macomb Daily: Jon Jons attorney Vincenzo Manzella said the issuance of the permits by the city equated to an endorsement of plans to expand the facility and give it a facelift. But the project was abruptly halted last August when the city issued a stop-work order.
Warren has retained a Tennessee lawyer known for his legal fights against strip clubs to handle the Jon Jons dispute. The Chattanooga-based Scott Begtholds firms website even uses the domain adultbusinesslaw.com.
Adultbusinesslaw.com: The Law Office of Scott D. Bergthold, P.L.L.C. has a national practice focused on the drafting and defense of municipal adult business regulations. A recognized leader in assisting cities and counties with sexually oriented business matters, the firm’s goal is to leverage its expertise on behalf of municipal clients to provide constitutionally sound ordinances and effective resolution of industry challenges.
Bergthold also has a personal association with socially conservative causes. Hes a graduate of Regent Universitys law school, has donated to anti-gay marriage campaigns, and once worked for Pat Robertsons American Center for Law and Justice.Hes not normally the kind of guy you expect to see handling a municipal zoning dispute two states over, but thats Warren officials say thats what this is. They argue this dispute isnt about Jon Jons business so much as the clubs renovations city officials say are in violation of building and permit regulations.
July 20: Macomb Daily: That additional work included demolition of interior walls, a new faade and 29-foot brick towers topped with simulated flames for the newly named strip club, Sapphire..By doing so, lawyers for the city allege, Jon Jons relinquished its long-held status as a non-conforming use that had operated legally despite later changes to the citys zoning law. Warrens attorneys also claim that the initial value of the project — $375,000 violated an ordinance because it exceeded the limit of 30 percent of the total true value of the property.
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