The sex-swap club scene that has been the subject of much
interest in the South Valley during the past year may be back.
Apparently modeled on The Forum which was operated by Deena Luce,
The Ranch, promoted by a Susan Nino, is about to resume operations
at 15750 Railroad Ave., just outside the Morgan Hill city
limits.
The sex-swap club scene that has been the subject of much interest in the South Valley during the past year may be back. Apparently modeled on The Forum which was operated by Deena Luce, The Ranch, promoted by a Susan Nino, is about to resume operations at 15750 Railroad Ave., just outside the Morgan Hill city limits.
In the past, people who live within sight and hearing of the weekend revelry and its traffic have complained that the adult entertainment business does not have the proper permits and is a public nuisance.
The latest event attracting attention is an “Evite” flyer circulating under Susan Nino’s name, extolling the virtues of a Spring Fling II for Easter weekend partying, both Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. Parties are planned for the second Saturday of every month through the summer plus a few on Friday nights.
The Times received a copy of the flyer this week.
Santa Clara County zoning investigator Jim Lanz said he hadn’t heard of the latest club effort but was familiar with the Gallo’s previous location at 16220 Hill Road at Barrett Avenue and had talked to Nino Gallo about the Railroad house. The phone book lists a couple named Nino and Susan Gallo but a phone call was not returned.
“Last summer Gallo called me to the place on Railroad. It had a sign that said Eve’s Garden,” Lanz said. “Okay. This is what they do here – it has got to stop,” he said.
Nino Gallo told Lanz that Eve’s Garden was not such a good business deal and that he would oust the tenants, Lanz said. In early fall Lanz was back for a tour.
“The beds were out, the place had been painted and Mr. Gallo assured me it was going to be his hangout,” Lanz said Thursday.
Lanz said he would follow up on the latest party flyer but that he does not, so far, have evidence of a violation.
“They would need a use permit and it is very difficult to get a use permit allowing a private social club in that location,” Lanz said. “However, if allegations of violations are taking place over zoning or health codes, we would need to confirm them ourselves.” He said he would welcome evidence or information from the public.
“I will follow it up,” Lanz said.
County Supervisor Don Gage backed up citizen complaints of The Forum after it was ousted from a Monterey Street site in Gilroy and moved to Dryden Avenue, outside city limits in the county – Gage’s jurisdiction.
He said he hadn’t heard about The Ranch either but said he would take action.
“If we have a complaint of illegal use of county land, Jim (Lanz) will go out and warn and cite them and ask them to leave.,” Gage said.
Of course, it is not so simple, Gage said, because the legal process must be worked through.
Gage’s land-use policy aide, Rachael Gibson said, in her opinion, there is probably no appropriate zoning application for a sex club, especially in an agricultural area.
“Adult uses are allowed in certain areas provided they have an A1 use permit,” Gibson said. “The three allowable uses are an adult bookstore, adult movies and adult cabarets, but the swap club probably does not fit into the description of adult cabaret.”
The property is currently zoned A20, exclusive agriculture, with a 20-acre minimum.
Reading from the county zoning code, she said an adult cabaret would be in a building regularly used for the presentation of topless, bottomless performances for observation by patrons or customers.” Nowhere, she said, does it mention taking part in sexual activities.
“If they can’t be there legally,” Gibson said, “they can’t be there at all.”
She said the county would investigate to verify any illegal activities.
Another accusation surrounding the Gallos concerns a storage facility on the Railroad Avenue property. Lanz said he was satisfied during his fall visit that it complied with regulations.
“I will be glad to reconvene my discussions with Mr. Gallo,” Lanz said.
Contact County Zoning Investigator Jim Lanz at 299-5794.
