Billy Dean's Wantagh Cabaret Application Rejected

The Hempstead Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) voted Wednesday to deny a North Bellmore strip club owner of his application to receive a cabaret license for an entertainment facility on Sunrise Highway in Wantagh.

Billy Dean, who owns in North Bellmore, acquired property on the corner of Sunrise Highway and Oakland Avenue for $950,000 and had planned to open what he in a May 18 zoning board hearing as an establishment with “a Las Vegas style feel” The Hempstead BZA granted Dean a cabaret license last year for the 3500 Sunrise Hwy. property but then in March decided to schedule a due to vocal that mounted against the development as well as a belief that not enough people were notified of the original hearing.

A spokesman for the Town of Hempstead said the BZA has a policy not to discuss its reasons for rejecting an application. The Hempstead BZA is a separate governing body from the Hempstead Town Board.

One of leading opponents against Billy Dean's application was Wantagh resident Kevin Milano, who organized several protest rallies in front of 3500 Sunrise Hwy.

""It's a real victory for the community," said Milano of the BZA's rejection of Dean's application. "We're thrilled.

"I'm glad the town has seen the merits of the residents concerns," said Ella Stevens, president of the , after hearing of the BZA's decision.

Dean said during the May 18 rehearing that some examples of entertainment that would be featured at his Wantagh facility were  jugglers, knife throwers and dancers. However many Wantagh and Seaford residents mounted opposition against Dean’s application fearing it would operate as a strip club like he owns in North Bellmore and cause a major traffic headache to a residential neighborhood.

Hempstead officials including Town Supervisor Kate Murray, Councilwoman Angie Cullin, R-Freeport and Councilman Gary Hudes, R-Levittown, are scheduled to join Wantagh and Seaford neighbors for a briefing on the decision rejecting Dean’s application late Thursday morning in front of 3500 Sunrise Hwy. Construction of the facility continued throughput the rehearing process and Dean had hoped to open his new business in the fall.

Dean's attorney William Cohn could not be immediately reached for comment on whether the decison will be appealed in court.