Council Objects to Proposed Liquor Permit Transfer on St. Clair Avenue
Cleveland City Council is moving to formally oppose a change in ownership for a liquor permit located at 15435 St. Clair Avenue. Through Emergency Resolution 1023-2026, Council members are lodging an objection to the transfer of a D4 liquor permit from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Zeta Omega Chapter, to a new entity operating as The St. Clair Club, doing business as St. Clair’s.
What's in the file
The resolution, introduced by Council Member Polensek, seeks to block the transfer of D4 Liquor Permit Permanent Number 10001600-1 to the new applicant, The St. Clair Club (Permanent Number 10018173-1). According to the official resolution, the objection is based on several stated rationales:
- The area is described as a high crime area that is already saturated with other liquor outlets.
- The applicant may not qualify to be a permit holder or has demonstrated a disregard for state laws and local ordinances.
- The premises may not conform to building, safety, or health requirements.
- The construction of the establishment may prevent reasonable access for law enforcement or Department of Liquor Control agents.
- The location may substantially interfere with public decency, sobriety, peace, or good order.
The document requests that the Director of Liquor Control schedule a hearing for this application in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County. Because this is an emergency measure, the resolution requires an affirmative vote of two-thirds of all elected Council members to take effect immediately upon approval by the Mayor.
Who may be affected
- Ward 10 (the location of the permit transfer)
- The St. Clair Club (DBA: St. Clair’s)
- Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Zeta Omega Chapter
Status and timeline
- September 9, 2026: The resolution was introduced.
- Current Status: The file is listed as "Agenda Ready."
This resolution follows a previous communication regarding the transfer of ownership application for this specific location under File 1017-2026.
What to watch next
The resolution requests that the Director of Liquor Control set a hearing for the application in accordance with the provisions of Section 4303.26 of the Ohio Revised Code.
Residents can verify the details of this resolution and the specific legal grounds cited by reviewing the official record via the Cleveland City Council website.
Source record
- File
- 1023-2026
- Type
- Emergency Resolution
- Status
- Agenda Ready
- Committee
- City Council
- Introduced
- September 8, 2026