Iowa City bar owner sues city over 21-only law

The owner of The Summit bar in Iowa City has filed a lawsuit against the city, asking for compensation and an exemption from the 21-only law.

Mike Porter believes Iowa City has targeted certain bars that used to allow 19 and 20-year-olds on their premises after 10 p.m., - including The Summit.

Porter filed for an exemption application because more than 50 percent of the bar's gross sales on the premises are from the sale of goods or services other than alcoholic beverages, wine or beer.

On June 15, the city denied Porter's request, after he submitted state and federal tax returns and profit loss statements for 2008 and 2009, which he said he believed the city didn't ask any other entitiy for.

“In furtherance of its agenda against The Summit and me, personally, the City wrongfully denied the application,” Porter said in court documents.

Porter said as a result of the exemption denial his business has suffered a loss of approximately 66 percent of its revenue, noting The Summit will likely “become insolvent in August 2010,” if the exemption isn't granted.

Porter's attorney's, Steven Havercamp and Daniel Kresowik of Stanley, Lande & Hunter, said the city further targeted Porter and attempted to “force him out of business,”when the City “wrongfully denied the application.”