Caltrans Asks 2nd Hearing Over Strip Club Logo

The state Transportation Department wants to make it clear that it is not sponsoring an establishment that promotes itself as “the Inland Empire’s No. 1 topless club.”

Caltrans is demanding that Club 215, located along Interstate 215 in Colton, stop using a replica of the freeway emblem as its logo on billboards and signs. The state is so concerned that the signs might lead motorists to believe the state has entered the adult entertainment business that it is seeking an administrative hearing to strip the club of its logo.

But the club’s owners refuse to budge. “Nobody thinks Caltrans is sponsoring a strip club,” said Roger Jon Diamond, an attorney for Club 215. “It’s silly.”

The club’s logo, shaped like a freeway shield but emblazoned in red, white and blue, is prominently displayed at the club, on a sign facing Interstate 215 and on several freeway-adjacent billboards in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including one near the offramp near the club. The logo also appears on T-shirts and tank tops sold at the club, which opened in 1996.

Caltrans is not objecting to the club’s billboard ad of a suggestive slogan and a female torso wearing nothing but a tool belt.

Caltrans officials say the Club 215 logo violates state law regarding the use of signs that resemble highway markers near freeways. The sign could mislead motorists into believing the strip club is affiliated with the state agency, said Rose Melgoza, a Caltrans spokeswoman.

In June, Caltrans determined that the billboards violated state law after a hearing before the agency’s Outdoor Advertising Review Board. The board is responsible for enforcing the Outdoor Advertising Act, which prohibits signs within 660 feet of a freeway “likely to be mistaken” for “any directional, warning, danger or information sign.”

But Diamond said Caltrans did not notify him or the club of the meeting. Instead, the agency invited the owners of the billboard, Heywood Co. Outdoor Advertising, to participate.

The board concluded that the club’s billboards must be modified to eliminate the logo or removed, according to Diamond. A spokesperson for the Heywood Co. could not be reached.

After the June hearing, Diamond said, he contacted Caltrans, demanding that he be included in future hearings.

Caltrans officials have requested a second review board hearing later this month to decide whether a 7-foot-tall sign bearing the logo outside the club violates state rules.

Diamond said Caltrans doesn’t have the authority to impose the ruling unless the agency sues the club and wins.

David Anderson, a Caltrans spokesman, said the agency hasn’t decided whether to take legal action.