Source: Akron Beacon Journal
By: Gregory Korte
(AKRON, OHIO) — The landlord of a “nude modeling studio” on Tallmadge Avenue has given the Akron business 30 days to move out. Besides landlord’s complaints, the nude modeling studio also faces city action for violating zoning regulations.
Studio X was issued orders last week from city zoning officials, who say that the studio violates a 1996 ordinance that limits where sexually oriented businesses can locate.
It was unclear whether the city was ready to enforce those orders. A similar business, Savannah’s Studio on Romig Road, has been operating for four months despite being under an order to comply from the city.
But that zoning issue became moot yesterday when the landlord put Studio X on notice.
“They are a month-to-month tenant, and they have been asked to vacate the premises,” said attorney George Tsarnas, a partner in the Vane Co. “They have misrepresented the nature of their business, which they said would be a photo studio taking glamour pictures.”
Steven Lo Dico, the Canton attorney representing Studio X, disputed the landlord’s claim. He said his client had a three-year lease.
“Why would my client sign a contract, move in and spend money without a meeting of the minds?” Lo Dico said. “If that’s his position, then we may have to play that out in court.”
Don Mittiga, the Ward 2 city councilman who worked to get the studio shut down, applauded the landlord’s move.
“I respect the landlord not wanting the business in there. It’s not good for the other businesses around there, and it hurts the neighborhood,” he said.
The sexually oriented business law makes an exception for nude modeling studios, where models are “sketched, drawn, painted, sculptured, photographed or similarly depicted.”
Lo Dico insisted that’s exactly what Studio X is.
“If the gentlemen who come in choose not to exercise their artistic talent – hey, it’s their money,” he said.
Mittiga, however, said he wants to tighten up the sexually oriented business law to make it clear that “nude modeling studio” means that there ought to be some legitimate artistic instruction taking place.
